240 General: GLT off the road - sensible precautions

[Volvophile]

My S70 is being parked up until next August at least. I'm going to start it up every now and again and flick around with all the electrics so they don't give up the ghost.

[cywprof]

Hi John,

made a "typo" in my last message. I really meant to identify the 1953 Studebaker Starlite Coupe not a "1963" as I wrote. The 1953 replaced the 1951 Bullet-nose Studebaker. The designer was Raymond Loewy.

Every once in a while I see a 1953 Studebaker @ a car auction. Last time at a recent RM International Car Collector Car Auction in Toronto. Some guy (consignment) had painted the entire car metallic green. Including bumpers, wipers, rubber trim, etc. Everything that didn't move (tires exempted) was painted gross green. Nearly cried.

My recent inventory included: 2 GM 4X4 1989 Trackers (aka:Suzuki Sidekicks). A 325,000 kms unit with body rusted out. A 100,000 km unit where repair exceeded value. Hoped to make 1 runner out of them. Never happed! A 1989 Camry (blew a rod) apprentice mechanic's error, a 1991 Sonata (couldn't kill it), 1978 Porsche(my current project car), 1980 Volvo 262C (my pet) & our Dodge Minivan (family workhorse).

Even I had to admit that I had to reduce my inventory. The 2 Suzuki Trackers aka:Sidekicks were donated to charity. The Camry went to my daughter's High School where she teaches. Hands on opportunity for students in the auto shop. The Sonata was turned into a demolition derby entry by the students. I have no doubt that "the tank", is still on the track.

One of the reasons I asked you about what's on the road in New Zealand is we don't necessarily see the same rides here. For example, never seen a "Holden". Must be this Left/right hand drive thing. Although my Dad somehow got hold of a 1940 post war US Ford "Woodie" Station Wagon(Estate) that was RHD. My brothers & I had a 1951 Singer RHD. No top. An exhausting car to drive. No creature comforts. A large MGTD that sat 4. Funny how we remember them fondly years later! I once drafted a list of vehicles owned. Prioritized as to rankings. Time to do again.

Cars in the blood. My Dad was in the Petroleum business, put on hold for a stint in the RCAF during WWII. Apparently passed the car gene on!
Bill

[John Tancredi]

I like it...

Re Holdens, some new ones are actually sold in the US with left hand drive as Chevys as the running gear is (mainly) ex US anyway. Some have Corvette V8 engines (any Holden fans out there will no doubt correct me as to the exact details!) My daily driver is an Aussie Ford Falcon station wagon - Falcons are a bit of an Aussie institution... Ford wanted to replace them with the ex-US Taurus a few years ago and there was an almighty uproar. Standard models (like mine) have an Aussie built 4 litre straight six but higher spec ones have V8s (ex US I think). Quite a lot of older US/Canadian vehicles that were only made as left hand drives have actually been converted to right hand drive in Aus/NZ as there used to be restrictions concerning the use of left hand drive vehicles on local roads... so whole new dashboard molds were made etc etc.

You mention the Sonata - Hyundais (High-and-drys) as they are sometimes called here... have become big sellers, esp to fleets.

Older cars can certainly be hard work to drive - I used to drive a Series Three 109" Land Rover every day just for the physical workout it gave me...!

All the best, John.

[cywprof]

A lot of power for a little car. Do you need a pilot's permit to drive?

[cywprof]

Sounds like your "cars owned list" would be a match for mine,
We had the Falcon Marque here in North America for years, replaced the Pinto. Current reincarnation is the Escort. Actually a sharp looking car. My neighbor loves his 2 dr. Ford Taurus was a big seller here, don't know anyone who owned one liking it. But it was cheap (to buy) transportation. Car rental companies a big buyer. Most Fords here easy to service and often driven until they die.

Interesting your comment on the De Lorean DMC. The Bricklin was the same idea. Fast talking pitch man from the USA. Conned the Premier (Richard Hatfield) of New Brunswick into thinking a small province (population wise) could succeed. The Canadian Corporation located in Saint John NB could not compete with Detroit & Windsor. No way! Still an interesting Gull Wing Fiberglass vehicle in bright florescent colours, e.g.: orange, lime, red, etc. Lack of dealer network killed it. Money well ran dry too. New Brunswick is resource rich, but cash is in the hands of 2 or 3 families e.g.:Irvings (oil & forestry, McCains (potatoes). No one interested in throwing their money away. Have sat in & started up both a De Lorean & Bricklin. Liked them.

Mentioned the Pacer (American Motors Corp) as it was voted the "ugliest American car ever" Looks like a big bubble. Small on the outside appears large on the inside. Reminds one of an upside down bath tub with large windows all round. Whereas the AMC Gremlin looked like a car whose rear had been chopped off. You are correct, salt on our roads kills our cars. All part of planned turnover. Korean models are replacing Japanese as their quality gets better & prices stay low. Our Sonata looked like a poor man's Honda Accord. Could get it in a 4 or V6. Ours was bought new by my father-inlaw. My daughter (the teacher) was the 2nd owner. She drove it from Ottawa to Monterray Mexico & kept it there while she taught in Mexico. I am sure it was on roads that would scare you. It came back looking pretty rough. But as I said you couldn't kill it. Never burnt oil. I suspect that the motor was a Honda knock-off. Only trouble was an ignition switch. Rear seat was like a sofa. Front seats the same way. An automatic that wasn't smooth but gave no grief. Our 1st Hyundai was the legendary light blue 4 door Pony. What a hoot. Made of tin, automatic, simple to access engine. Body went long before mechanicals. Like most of our cars we drove then until they gave up or we got tired. Quality cars like our BMW 2002 cost a fortune to keep on the road but were fun to drive. Could never understand why our BMC products didn't like the fog & damp. As did my 1965 Volvo P1800S. Roger Moore would have been proud. 2 MGAs, 1 glorious Austin Healey 3000, even an Austin Healey Sprite(Bug Eye). We rescued the Singer from being converted to a boat trailer(no kidding). Was running when we finally had to let it go. Too many cars! As stated my 59 TBird Convert was a prized vehicle, closely followed in my rankings by a 1951 Ford Sunliner Convertble when I was just 16. The T-Bird I owned when I was in my mid 20's. Got married and bought my 1st new bettle! Later went all out an got a Westphalian VW Camper. It didn't like hills (Virginia). The gas heater was a bomb waitng to go off. Took it camping to Niagara Falls & Florida. On & on. Now as a retired College Prof I can dwell on my car hobby & attend car auctions. Have a friend who has a BMW M5, Impressive drive. Could never afford to own & service.
But for a 4 door sedan not too many that beat it, even the "S" Series Mercedes.
Cars, a nice diversion.
Bill