At 05:40 PM 12/15/97 -0600, Ray McCrary wrote:
>At 03:43 PM 12/15/97 -0500, Trevor Boicey wrote:
>>John McEwen wrote:
>>> US cars of the '60s and '70s were among the most rugged and
long-lasting of
>>> any cars ever built
>>> perpetuating a myth.
>>
>> ...this type of "I'm right you are wrong" statement itself
>>perpetuates bad myths about Americans.
>>
>I'm a little curious....so does this mean that had John had AGREED that
>American cars were junk, he would have been an OK guy, but since he DOESN'T
>agree he's a bad guy....?
>
>What was available in Europe in the 60's that matched American iron for
>durability at a price? Mercedes? In '61 a 220 Mercedes cost $5500 WITHOUT
>a/c, power steering, or other comforts.
>How about Jag? Nice car...lousy gas mileage even when compared to a V-8,
>maintenance hogs compared to the US cars, and expensive. Rolls?
>Thanks...had one, that's enough....$1200 for a hubcap!!
>Bottom line is this: for the price there were no cars equal to the US sleds
>in Europe for durability, low maintenance, and cost. That's why there are
>so many old US cars in South America now....they were over-engineered when
>new.
>Now, I will grant you that the US cars really didn't handle as well as
>their cousins in Europe; they didn't need to on the freeways in the US.
>Most people were quite happy with them until the Japs came in with better
>assembled cars along with a manufactured fuel crisis in '73. When gas went
>to $.50 a gallon, we freaked out. The US cars in the '70's had become
>over-legislated, bloated barges. Build quality was low, and the emissions
>standards had robbed them of performance.
>I never was really hot for the US cars...I found them too common and boring.
>But they were tough as a boot.
>Ray
>
Its hard to look back. Bought a new Chevy Impala Covertible in 66. Small
V8 with Power Glide, electric windows, power steering and AMFM Radio were
the options. I put on 100,000 miles in seven years. Total repairs were one
muffler, and one set of front ball joints. Sold the car to a local high
school Auto shop teacher. He ran a compression test on the engine. The
specs were as nearly new. Wish I had that car, even though by today's
standards it was a boat. Owned a 62 Alfa Romeo Gulietta Spider Veloche,
car couldn't do 1000 miles without serious repairs. Wish I still had that
car too, but not for everyday transport.
Mike
Mike
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