Rusted old cars

[Daniel M Wing <imp1983@xxxxxxxx>]

D^2 wrote:
========================
Alan, I have not done any statistics or anything, but I think that the
area you 
live is a much bigger factor than the car and its rust proofing.  Where
did you 
live in the 60's and 70's, and where do you live now?
 
I visited Chicago and Detroit a few times, and I was shocked at the rust
I saw 
in some relatively new cars.  Even thick chrome bumpers had holes right
trough 
them.  Here in TX even 30 year old cars have little rust.  Unfortunately,
my 68 
Sedan started life in New Hampshire, so some of its 1/4 panel rust is
probably 
coming from the east coast.  Finally, I would think that the thicker
sheet 
metal of older cars would resist corrosion better.  And Imperials along
with 
other expensive cars had generally better rust proofing than the typical
car.
D^2 
==========================

I will have to agree here.  I am constantly amazed at the number of
people on this list that act like you can just waltz on over to the local
junk yard and grab some early 60s parts, or a tail light from a 53 or
whatever.

The junk yards up here in the Northeast do not have cars that are much
more than 10 years old.  If you need a part, it had better be from a
relatively new car or forget it.

I was in Florida on business recently, and was once again amazed at the
older cars that I saw that were still on the road as daily drivers.  I
even saw a (70s) Ford Fairmont that looked in good shape.  Those cars
have been gone for so long up here, I can't remember the last time I saw
one, and the last ones I saw were tattered rust buckets.  I just looked
and thought, wow, up in NY these cars would be in car shows!

Question.  Do cars in other states have a yearly State inspection to
pass?  Here in New York there is a whole book of things that a car must
pass to be road worthy.  For instance, I had to get another tail light
lens for my Imp, because the original owner had put a half inch hole in
one.

Wondering out loud again.

Dan Wing
Marcy, NY  USA

imp1983@xxxxxxxx

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