Exactly....I loved my Alfa, too. 'Cept for the head gaskets!
Ray
At 06:34 AM 12/14/97 -0500, Leckstein wrote:
>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
>
|