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Termyn8or -> RE: Off Topic discussion ? Here we go, I feel young (6/20/2006 4:57:32 PM)
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First of all there was practically no traffic.
Second of all, GMs were the most advanced cars made by US manufacturers though the late 80s and early 90s. Ever seen a roller cam in a Ford of the era ? NOT in a sportscar or musclecar, I mean off the showroom floor.
My buddy's 95 Dodge truck still has a carb and a distributor. My beater that is eight years older has distrubutorless ignition, multiport high pressure fuel injection and a roller cam. The redball 3.8L won the Grand National in 86, it's first year of production. It has an engine control system every bit as good as today's new cars. The spark plugs and the oil are still clean after 10,000 miles. On an emission check, it is almost an air cleaner. Of course this one only has 97,000 miles on it, very low for an 87.
But then all four engine mounts ar broken, what do you think broke them ?
Now that people have decided to reminisce about their past cars, my favorite was a 1970 Olds Toronado with the W34 package. Non transverse front wheel drive, offset rim 0 caster, 0 camber and 0 toe in, linear torsion bar suspension which made a sway bar unnecessary. Over 400 hp and had the traction to use it. If you spin the wheels for only a half a second the smoke fills the street, and you won't spin again, but be prepared to get put back in the seat when you hit the gas.
I beat every smallblock I tried, and even a few motorcycles.
One smallblock may have given me trouble, it belonged to my cousin. a 64 Olds 442 with three two barrels, so I guess it was a 642. Ripped the front bolts out of the seat taking off one day. I guess there was some rust down there but come on, I never heard of such a thing. With the gears he had in the thing, even with the three dueces it would only do 110 MPH, but you could take off in third gear.
And I agree about shifting your own gears. Nobody in our family is allowed not to be able to drive a stick. For example I have a buddy who can't drive a stick, my Mother has this cat that is quite shy. We were doing some work on her house and the cat came to him. I told him that now he must learn how to drive a stick. If the cat chooses you you are chosen family. Just so happens we just bought a pickup truck with a 5-speed. His day is coming.
I was always a big block fan. Fifteen years ago I was spending $70 a week on gasoline. Nothing today, but what did gas cost them ? I guess now I have admitted to being a polluter, terrorism supporter and who knows what else for my excesses.
But I like Buicks and Oldsmobiles, I am not that fond of Caddilacs. Chevys and Pontiacs are OK, I can take them or leave them. All the rest are all the rest, anything that serves me and gets me from point A to point B is good. It is also a big plus if it can get me back from point B to point A.
I guess the era is over. Nowadays it is so hard to find the opportunity where there is no traffic and you can lay down on the gas. I do not drive aggresively in traffic. Actually I wish there was a local racetrack you could rent for a night or something. Of course leave a deposit in case they have to scrape your head up from the track later.
Actually I don't have anything to run right now, but my Buick uses a MAF sensor not a MAP so supercharging it is a piece of cake. Problem then is converting to hydroboost brakes.
Anyway, when I look at a car now to buy I look at servicability more than anything. Sad ain't it ?
T
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