On Wed, 31 Jul 1996, Gregory Petrolati, as have several others privately,
wrote:
> SORRRY I can't let this one go, folks... Q-ships were
> vulnerable-looking tramp steamers used during WWI and WWII to
> lure U-boats captains into surfacing to sink them...
> Cars that are Q-ships are ones that look like normal sedans...
> but pack a lot of horsepower and/or great handling under the "plain
> wrapper" (e.g. the Dodge Dart 440 of the 60's the Nissan Sentra SEX
> or even the Golf GTI). In hot Rod terminology Q-ships are also called
> "sleepers"
OK, OK, I surrender! First I'm slammed by "slammed" cars, then gunned
down by Q-ships. I'm all too happy to know that there are other aged
members of this list who remember what "Q"-'cars' were, such as original
Pontiac LeMans GTO, the Plymouth Road Runner (without the decal it's a
Belvedere). I still say that the definition can be stretched to cover
many of today's cars. Granted, though, it's a stretch, especially with
the trim level on so many of today's wannabe luxury nameplates.
Excuse me, I just got the August 1966 issue of _Rod & Custom_. I've
some catching up to do. ;-)
--Andy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Andrew Mace e-mail: amace@unix2.nysed.gov *
* *
* Mrs Irreverant: Oh, is it a Q-ship? *
* Man: Well, no... It's...more your, er, *
* Triumph Herald engine with gunsights. *
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