Not only did the Studies and Ramblers of yesterday get great gas
mileage but they were a LOT safer in the event of a crash. You could run over a
Civic with your old Imperial and hardly feel the bump. And the size of those
trunks on those old cars! I used to load an entire set of drums into
the trunk and still had room left over! And we drive on 90 octane or
better gasoline-not the badly watered down stuff today.
Once stopped for a traffic light in my 61 Imp. There was a bump from the
rear, not very hard-looked back, could see nothing out of the rear view mirror.
As I was sure something hit me I got out to see. There was a kid and his
motorcycle lying on the ground behind the car. He had been ogling the
chicks at the drive in across the street, never saw me stop for the light.
Damage to the Imp-a dent in the rear bumper the size of a 50 cent piece. The
cycle was wrecked, the kid somewhat the worse for wear. I didn't bother to claim
damages . Today's car would have been totaled.
The American car died when the elite and the politicos began deciding what
we should drive-"Land of the Free?" Not any more-
Ted
Oh Yes-my 61 Valiant wagon with standard trans got 24 MPH on the
road-
Ted