5000 miles a year is daily driver territory for an old car. I put 5-7K a year on my 63 Classic when I was daily driving, another 4-5K a year on my motorcycle. I was USAF and took 3-4 16 hour round trip drives (800-900 miles) a year to visit family, usually one in my Rambler. I built it as a daily driver though, so it's modified (Jeep 4.0L EFI six and AW4 OD trans). I drove a 63 Rambler American the same way for 14 years though (starting in 84). It was my "second car", and if I went anywhere without the wife and kid I was in it. No bike then, but still 5-7K a year. A VW Bug (or any classic) as a second car would get about 5K average on it. Easy to see the age thing. I don't do many long distance shows at 60. Time isn't as much and issue, nor is money. I've "been there, done that" too often. Not much new or exciting about the big shows any more, certainly not enough to make a long trip just for that. I still do one on occasion though. Plan on driving to the Kenosha Homecoming show (AMC/Rambler) in 2022. It's only held every four years though. Wouldn't do it yearly! It's a 15-26 hour drive one way for me. ... View more

There will be some call for fossil fuels well into the future. Commuters may go to predominantly electric, but there are still many things that require more range and power than rechargeable electric vehicles can practically supply. There are ways around this, such as tractor/trailer rigs with easily swappable battery packs (like some electric fork-lifts have used since the 70s at least -- with heavy lead-acid battery packs) to increase range and time between trips. Lots of infrastructure to build though, and that's expensive -- more expensive than cleaning up fossil fuel emissions. With ranges coming up over the last 10 years I could possibly use an electric pickup (with a 200-250 mile range) in my home repair business. Lots of stops and starts sometimes, but I average 80 miles a day, with occasional days of 150 miles. The range is estimated under "normal" driving conditions. I would expect my driving to require a little more than normal, especially with occasionally hauling heavy loads or towing a small trailer. The longer trip days are more "normal" driving since they are usually jobs that are further away, or further from my material supply source. But I'm not eager to get one. I'll be retiring in 3-4 years, and cutting back a little in two. I don't see an electric in my future, though I'm not opposed to it as long as it will suit my needs. A more likely scenario is that people will use electrics for their daily driving, then rent a gasoline car for longer trips and vacations. I see a mix of electric and ICE cars on the road for a very long time... for various reasons. A bit different from horse vs. car, but not that much. ... View more

"Petroleum" means some kind of liquid fuel. Natural Gas is a fossil fuel, but naturally occurring -- not the same as LPG, which is a gas byproduct of refining oil. ... View more

Which is why until the 60s styling was part of the engineering department. Even I can draw a good looking car design, but it may not be practical to build, and after necessary engineering has been applied it probably won't look the same -- may be totally different. Platform makes a huge difference! This is one area that EVs have more flexibility. It's far easier to make an electric motor and battery pack fit a given space than an ICE drivetrain -- fewer restraints. A Subaru flat engine makes it a lot easier to make a low hoodline, but if you're designing for Chevy that's not available. An electric motor is much more compact, just got to package enough battery. I'm still waiting for an EV with a small APU to charge batteries. Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, but a small ICE running at a constant speed is a lot more efficient than one powering a car. Would be more of a range extender, not enough to completely charge. Ideally it would be enough to supply all voltage while cruising (where the least power is needed), just using the battery pack for acceleration and starts. Also needed is a "universal" rear connector so a trailer with extra batteries and maybe that APU on it for long trips. Then one-way rentals would be practical, at least to larger cities. A new deal for U-haul and/or car rental companies (who already have the infrastructure). ... View more

That doesn't always work. Sometimes when you "break the mold" and get too far away from trends the others are following you lose horribly (money, mostly) even if you have a superior design. The Chrysler Airflow is probably the best example. The AMC Pacer *almost* fits, but it was a success in the first year. The fuel crunch hurt it more than anything else -- most people don't seem to realize this. They just see it as way different from everything else in the mid 70s and assume that's what killed it. The fact that it was unique and futuristic looking (that description is highly subjective, I know, but look at some later cars...) actually helped. The fact that it had a lot of safety features increased weight, and the reality is that it got about the same gas mileage as the much bigger Matador. THAT killed sales just 18 months after introduction when the first gas crisis hit and everyone wanted a small car with relatively (for the time) good gas mileage. Concord (the upscale Hornet) sold like hot cakes, Pacer like a brick sinking in a pond. ... View more

Sam had me until the old guy was ready to GIVE him a 289 Shelby Cobra. I could ALMOST believe he was willing to let it go for "whatever he could pay"... almost... ... View more

The dual clutch trans has pretty much replaced a straight manual. Read up on it! It can be shifted manually, just no foot clutch. I'd prefer a clutch myself, I'm old school like that too, but this isn't an old style auto trans either -- much more efficient and snappier shifts if you want them. Time change! I can see an avid Model T owner back in 1915 or so disgruntled because the newer cars all had sticks coming up out of the floor. What's wrong with choosing gears with foot pedals?? ... View more

Exactly! Nader's book may have hurt some sales, but I really don't think enough people read it to make a huge impact -- definitely not enough to halt production. The fact is that the Corvair used too many unique parts, so costs couldn't be spread over many models. That's why the early Tempest used a modified Corvair transaxle and front suspension (all the compact GMs used the front suspension) -- to spread some of the costs. The "compacts" got bigger and needed a different front suspension by 65-66, the Tempest went to a conventional drivetrain, and the engine was always exclusive to the Corvair. Unless production had stayed over 100K units, it was doomed from the start to a relatively short model run due to costs. Started good with ~250K made in 1960, 186K in 64. ~235K were built in 65 (mainly due to new styling, I think), ~103K in 66, only ~27K in 67. That last may have been due to the fact that GM was phasing them out though and not pushing them. Don't know how many 66 models were in sales lots when the 67s rolled out. GM was pushing their more conventional compacts since they were more economical (more shared parts) to produce. ... View more

Pedaling that "motorcycle" for 150 miles would have been quite exhausting!! Bad roads (compared to now) and the added weight would have made it quite a workout -- one tough guy! I remember a friend who had a little Sachs moped back in the late 70s. You could pedal it (and did to start the motor, IIRC), but the way it was geared and the weight of the thing meant you didn't want to! Didn't have a lot of power, best use of pedals was to assist the motor up steep hills. ... View more

My brother had a friend's early 2000's Range Rover with the AL V-8 in his shop a few years ago. Doesn't much resemble the old Buick any more! The block itself is similar, but few (if any!) parts would interchange, even with the early Rover engines. They even redesigned and moved the oil pump! The guy got the Range Rover Defender rather cheap because it needed a water pump and what we would normally call a few other minor maintenance items. Everything needed had to come from the Rover dealer or Rover specialists on the Internet, and were all at least twice the price you'd expect even if you were taking into consideration that they would be a bit higher than American engine prices. ... View more

While the AC body of the first Cobras were of British design, they were actually "American" cars! There was an AC Ace plant in the US... I forget exact location, but somewhere in the south west. They weren't selling well and the plant was about Shelby inquired about buying bodies. They agreed to keep the plant open if he bought X number of cars, and the rest is history! So the whole thing was actually made in America... at least the first couple years. I don't recall how long the plant in the US remained open. ... View more

So he should have drove it to the show and not trailered. May as well let others have the opportunity to see it! ... View more

I disagree about the generator. Properly set up it would be fine in a car that has little more than a starter. I had no issues running one for 14 years in a 63 Rambler American that was a daily driver. Well, maybe an issue once. I was driving cross country pulling a utility trailer across the Rockies through a snow storm, moving from Idaho to South Carolina (USAF). It was very cold and I was running the car lights and trailer lights all the way. Finally found a place to stop for the night somewhere in the mountains short of Cheyenne, WY. That morning it was 9 degrees and the car refused to turn over fast enough to start, had to get a jump. Now was it the generator running the extra lights (and heater fan!) for 5-6 hours straight, or just the cold??? I'd pulled the trailer many times, maybe once for as long, but not over night, so no headlights (the biggest power draw). I'd had the car three years when this happened. Never had an issue after. The only additional power was the radio, a 88 or so cheap head unit/cassette player. It drew a lot less power than the old original tube AM radio though! ... View more

ANY AMC is underappreciated... mostly for the reason you gave -- no one recongizes them as an American make unless they were born in the 60s. By the time someone born in 1970 was driving (age 16) AMC was two years from being bought out by Chrysler, and there was really only one AMC car in 1986 -- the 4x4 Eagle. The others were Renault and Jeep models. I've been told that "they must have made bad cars, they're went out of business" more than once. Some bad business decisions were made, not bad cars. They were on a par with all other makes. They also got trampled by the big three -- AMC wasn't big enough to absorb losses like the others, they just didn't have the capital. I could go on, but not much point... ... View more

The system in my car is a hodge-podge of old and new. Original to the car evaporator and expansion valve/temp switch, parallel flow condensor from a salvage yard (90s Chrysler LH platform), Sanden compressor (originally 88 Jeep Comanche -- where the 4.0L came from, since replaced with new aftermarket part), and universal dryer. Works great charged with R-134A. I've been thinking about replacing the temp unit and expansion valve since the temp control is a bit "loose" and it may perform better with R-134A with an R-134A specific expansion valve. The only issue I'd have is that the custom made barrier hoses have flare fittings for the old evaporator and o-ring for the newer condensor and compressor. I've run ES-12 in it, but last time I had it charged (had to discharge to replace engine) I had it done professionally with R-134A. ES-12 worked great, just couldn't get it recharged with that at the time I wanted to drive the car. ... View more

The "Mustang Mach-E" was a stupid idea. Why degrade the Mustang moniker? Well, obviously using "Mustang" on an electric mid size SUV DIDN'T really have much affect on the "Mustang" name, quite the opposite. I still think it was stupid. Reviving "Galaxie" would have been a better idea, but who remember a Galaxy? No one born in the last 30 years. I'd rather have seen "Taurus" on it -- that would have made more sense! Any real Ford enthusiast will disdain "Mustang" being used on anything else, but these "new guys" don't have the same regard for the name as us old fellows do. Anything but a two door sport sedan/coupe just isn't really a Mustang... I don't care how well it sells! As for the others, well, the name "Electra" does lend itself to an EV, and it's been out of use for a long time. No new buyers would remember the big Buicks, they would think it a clever name for an EV. None of the others make any realistic sense. "Charger" doesn't conjure up visions of electricity, never mind that you "charge" an electric car. It's still in use in a well known sports sedan, so leave it alone! While there were EV versions of both the Corvair and Gremlin, that's the only thing they have in common with an EV of today. Nothing about the names bring about any "electric" thoughts. I'm an AMC fan, and there have been some "dreamer" fans that would like to see the return of AMC. But really, AMC has been dead for a long time now. There's nothing to bring back except some names, and would have nothing to do with any old AMC designs. AMC cars were dated at the last, unless you count the AMC/Renault Premier. you could drop an AMC name (both make and models, like Gremlin) on any new car and it still wouldn't have anything in common with AMC of old. A new compan y with that name would still be a new company, no shared history. ... View more

80s cars are becoming collectible because those are the what the 30 somethings, who now have more "play money" grew up with. That and 60s-early 70s car prices are going through the roof. Even some "malaise era" cars are starting to be collected... ... View more

Well, I'm an AMC historian, and one of the few who give Renault some credit. If not for Renault buying into AMC in 1980 and increasing their share way more and sooner than expected, AMC would have died in 1981 or 82 as they couldn't get funding. There would be no Jeep Cherokee (XJ), Renault basically financed getting that project off the ground (though they had no input, save for the 4.0L development for 87). The Summit and Talon were good cars, but had nothing to do with Renault or AMC, coming in after the 87 buy-out. Most auto writers in late 86 thought that Renault/AMC was on the right track for success for 87. That's when the assassination occurred, partly over Renault putting so much money into AMC when French auto workers were out of jobs. So it was politics, but the assassination of Georges Besse was definitely the catalyst. The new head of Renault wasn't so keen on keeping AMC alive at the expense of French jobs... or was it his life he was concerned about???? ... View more

I never got to see the Harrah's collection. There was a relatively large collection at The Imperial Palace back in the early 80s when I was sent to Las Vegas for some training (USAF) though. I did get to see that. They still had a few cars at the IP in Biloxi when I was stationed at Gulfport CB Base (as an instructor -- combined services school for construction, CBs ran it), but were in the process of selling that collection off too. Just a few cars in the lobby in Biloxi around 2000. They had about 200 cars on rotating display in the early 80s and 90s out of a collection of around 1000 cars, closed in 2017 with only 65 or so cars (as a classic car dealer, not really a museum -- everything displayed was for sale). ... View more

I saw a 1930s Packard with a Pontiac V-8 and front clip at a show years ago. Looked to be in near perfect condition. I'm not a Packard expert by any means, and didn't notice that a lot of the little detail things were actually from other makes (like the headlights), but were period looking pieces that looked at home on the Packard. I commented to a friend that it was a shame someone had done that to what could have been a valuable car, and the owner overheard me. He said he agreed with me! The issue he had was that when he got the car all he really had was a frame and good body shell. He had the motor, but it wasn't salvageable. He intended to restore until he started getting prices for what he needed. So it was sell it for parts or do a mild custom. He opted for the later, and had about $20K in it instead of $200K to restore. He wasn't so scared to drive it either, though a fender would be hard to replace (come to think of it, I believe he had modified Model A front fenders... or from some other car...). I forget where he was from, it was a Cruising The Coast even in Mississippi around 2000-2004 (when I was stationed at Gulfport), but he drove it there some distance, no trailer. So there are some instances where putting a different engine in may make sense. ... View more

Nazi officers may have driven and owned cars like those in the war years, but they weren't produced specifically for them. Mercedes happened to be in Germany, and they produced lots of material for the Germans. I'm sure some employees were Nazis, but not all Germans were. Most supported the regime because they had little choice, some simply because it was their home country. You can't hold everyone accountable for the acts of a ruthless dictator who had most of the country spell bound. I've talked to German people who lived through it -- most had little idea of the atrocities going on until after the war. Some did, like the townspeople near the death camps, and turned a blind eye, though there's not much they could have done. I remember one lady (just passed this year) well. She was a young girl during the war and when Hitler came to power. She remembered that the German people fell for Hitler's rhetoric mainly because he brought them out of a long economic slump, created by the Treaty of Versailles ending WWI. The Allies set things up for another war, though that wasn't the intent. The intent was to make Germany pay for the war, and it ruined the nation for years (more or less the intent). Woodrow Wilson argued against retribution, but the European powers wouldn't hear it. They endured the brunt of the war, but refused to acknowledge that they were in part responsible for it as well. ... View more

At first. Compare a Rover V-8 to the original Buick 215 now and you'll find that they are very different. The current Rover V-8 is a direct descendant of the 215, it's just been incrementally improved/changed over the years into something totally different. Not all the changes are "improvements" in some opinions. ... View more

I like the Mexican Ute. That would be a great product as no one really makes a compact pickup, unless you count Honda. The "mid size" trucks are just too close to full size -- why bother? I never saw much use for the Avalanche, not until I started looking for a camper tow vehicle. For that it makes some sense -- small bed for those things I don't want to throw in the camper and don't really want inside the passenger compartment either. I ended up buying a used Expedition, but if a used Avalanche had surfaced at a good price I'd have gone that way for the open bed. ... View more

For "civilian" use, yes. But many haul campers and such on weekends. COMMERCIAL users might be a different story. I expect the range to be cut in half hauling a modest camper. 200 miles is about a four hour drive one way. If I can plug in after I get to the camp ground it might be okay. Expect to be still a day or two though! It takes FOUR FULL DAYS to recharge a Tesla off a 110V outlet. Tesla says that you add 2-4 miles of range per hour on a 120V plug, about 30 miles an hour off a 240V plug. Camper connectors are 30A 110V, or 50A 240V. Campers are wired to treat the two 120V legs of the 240 as two separate 120V circuits, but you can use a charge cord wired as 240V. Would still take 13 hours for a full charge off the 50A connector. ... View more

I've considered building a hybrid similar to this. It would actually be an electric conversion, but with a small efficient generator to extend the range of the battery pack. Ideally the generator would be sized to run the electric motor at average level ground cruise speed without using any battery power, just using the battery pack for accelerating and pulling hills. Technically it would be running off the battery pack all the time, but the generator would be replenishing all the time also. So you could get 100 mpg easy enough with a 60 mile range battery pack (60 miles without generator running), and extend the range to 90+ miles, depending on how much cruising you did vs. in-town driving. A 100 mile battery pack would be more like it, but you get the drift. ... View more

That's the cost for your company to do the job at $275 per hour. For most of us hobbyist that's steep -- for a big money collector it's protecting an investment (depending on the value of the car itself). I couldn't justify that kind of expense on my hobby cars. 55BelAir mentioned renting the equipment for a DIY job. That might be more feasible for a hobbyist. ... View more

Yes... and no. It's still eventually vented to the atmosphere, it's just used for something else first. Even if it's just used for cooling, as it evaporates it turns into CO2 gas, application doesn't matter. ... View more

So why hasn't Ford done this with the little "Transit Connect" vans? Forget the four doors/back seat, just an extended cab with a little storage (and seat reclining) room behind it and an open cargo bed. Might not be the greatest for a "civilian" vehicle, but for a light industrial/commercial transporter it would be fantastic! ... View more

I suggested this setup years ago on a EV site when I was considering building an EV. Adequate batteries (lead acid) for 60 miles or so with a generator on board to extend range or even top off the batteries when parked and no outlet available. Ideally the generator would be sized to provide 5-20% more than the electric power for a level ground cruise speed of say 60-65 mph. Then you'd only dip into battery power when pulling hills, taking off, and passing. The extra 5-10% would go into the batteries while cruising. Again, ideally you'd have an electric start generator and an electronic battery monitor controller (computer) that would start and stop the generator as needed. The poor mans solution I was considering would have the driver monitor the battery and pull over to pull start the generator when needed. My plan was to mount a 1000-1500W generator with switch on dash and pull cord outside on the body somewhere -- just to be funny. Kind of like those magnetic wind-up keys I've seen on VW Beetles, only the pull handle would work! I can't remember if the 1500W generator would supply enough for cruising with a little left over, but it would extend range even if it's not. Another idea would be a small trailer with extra batteries and/or generator. If the EV manufacturers could come up with a universal rear connector that would be a great rental business for U-Haul or one of the nationwide car rental companies. They already have the infrastructure to rent one-way across the country. ... View more

Well, if you want the feel of an Atom (well, sort of...) but have a shoestring budget, go get an old sandrail buggy. I know it's not "quite" the same, but it's all open air body work. Less in front to deflect anything than an Atom, really. And it can be exhilerating (and scary) performance wise, depending on just how hopped up that old Bug motor is... or if it has something bigger, like a Porsche or Corvair, or even a V-8 attached to the transaxle. I've driven a couple, and the V-8s just don't handle well. But then I'd take a 289 Cobra over a 429 any day, for the same reason, just at opposite ends (too much weight on one end messes up handling). I'd take quick and nimble over a drag strip mauler any day! ... View more

Knowing exactly how to change the belt AND having the right tools to do the job is a necessity also. Trying to do it on a car you've never changed the belt on before (especially a late model serpentine!) is tough on the road, especially if you don't know what you'll need! My 1988 model 4.0L Jeep engine (in a 63 Rambler) uses a serpentine belt but no auto tensioner -- the power steering pump is adjusted for tension. I've had to change it on the road once due to an idler pulley bearing failure. I was able to get a shorter belt and route around the failed pulley (and the AC compressor) and deal with that later. Since the pulley ran on a shaft with the (failed) bearings in the AC compressor bracket it couldn't be dealt with on the road. Since I had to use a shorter belt to go around the problem having a spare wouldn't have worked. Only have about three miles to walk each way! Luckily I got rides and only walked about a mile.... ... View more

I don't think the driver went overboard either. The car had been driven around that curve in the same way a few times (according to the article) already with just sliding. Who would have thought that a little more air pressure (5 psi!) would be so disastrous? Obviously not the Lane staff, as everyone thought a little more pressure would be BETTER -- to keep the old style (but not old...) radials from coming off the rim. If an inside tire came off the rim the result may have been the same, but then again it may have just resulted in a ruined tire and rim. More likely the rim would have dug in and the car rolled. I was afraid I would see the thing on its roof like a turtle -- glad that didn't happen! Luckily it was a slow roll and it's not damaged beyond relatively easy repair. Those 90-2001 Ford Explorers being so dangerous with other than factory recommended air pressure makes a little more sense now... That wasn't all tires, the design had some to do with it also, as in the case with the Tatra. ... View more

I disagree. While a convert would be nice, and command more money, more hardtops of all makes and model muscle/sports cars were sold than convertibles. Converts have been "halo" cars for most, with many of them done in outside shops from hardtops sent from the factory. There is one AMX convert running around, but it is a custom job done by an enthusiast. ... View more

Kugel made a kit for the Focus. I remember reading about in in a car magazine (Hot Rod or Car Craft?) 10 years or more ago when they first came out with it. I think the original was done for Ford Motorsport? Long time ago, and I'm going from memory! ... View more

Everyone builds off someone else most of the time. As someone stated, take one person out of the chain of ideas and the end product doesn't exist. Piontek sold rights to his design to ACP. ACP had no desire to mass produce electric cars. The founders of Tesla wanted to and had expertise, but not the money. You have to have the chain! I don't know if Tesla pushed anyone out of the company, but it's obvious he's become the face and leader of the company now, and I assume holds the largest amount of shares. GM is a great example -- Durant built it, got pushed out later. Nash motors came into being because Charles Nash, who Durant had a lot of faith in and continually promoted, didn't want to work for Durant managed to come back to GM -- he left as president of Buick and formed Nash Motors in 1916 or 17. There's a long line of building off others, sometimes taking credit from them. Edison is a notorious example -- most of what "he" invented was from his workshop, but he had little to do with other than providing a place and pay for bright people to work. The press has a lot to do with giving Musk most of the credit, I think. He's the big figure in the company due to his wealth, and attracts attention. ... View more

There is a lot more that can be done with an electric vehicle as far as design since you don't have to have any of the mechanicals all together -- motors can be in wheels or the diff, and are much smaller. Batteries can be scattered about or under the floor. The battery pack is the most difficult thing to package due to bulk, not the motor and trans. That said, radical designs don't sell. Look at the Tesla pickup. Radical design, but most think it's plain ugly. Not much point in being cutting edge/radical if sales are slow and low... ... View more

Not with a 4.0L straight six! It was SO MUCH better for off roading than the V-6s are... ask a REAL Jeep person... ... View more

G-Wagon is a Mercedes 4x4. It's more rugged than most modern SUVs, but nothing like a Wrangler. Wranglers are purchased and driven on the highway exclusively by people who just think it's cool, and hope it rubs off, I guess. No one should pick one for a daily commuter unless they have some rough roads to travel. Many are willing to put up with a Wranglers traits (I can't call them warts... they are purposely built that way -- for a reason!) and baby them on the road, never taking them anywhere rougher than a dirt road or driveway. But that's what they have been "dumbed down" too, not really what they were meant for.... ... View more

Very well said! That appreciation of hard work is in nearly very field. I do home repairs, mostly smaller jobs that my helper and I can easily accomplish -- lots of "punch lists" from realtors because we can do just about anything, including minor plumbing and electric repairs (mostly swapping fixtures and under sink leaks). Occasionally I give a "ball park" estimate and someone balks. I'm not the cheapest nor most expensive -- sort of in the middle. Some, however, do appreciate the hard work and make sure the y tell you! Those are the people I love working for. Those that balk I just encourage to get another estimate. A few call back, most don't, even though I'm sure they get higher estimates from others. Maybe a few get lucky and find someone who needs the work and will do it lower, but I don't cut corners to make a job cheaper -- it's not in the long run. I do my old "restomod" car the same way. ... View more

sorry, "clunky" was intended to be "funky".... ... View more

I didn't see anything "clunky" -- except for the 2CV. Citroen might even accept the use of "clunky" as a descriptive adverb, but they'd be proud of it! It was designed strictly as a tool, not intended to be "pretty", just cheap and useful. ... View more

I remember seeing fifth generation four door Skyline 2000GT models when I was stationed in Okinawa (Kadena Air Base) from 87-90. They had to be around 78-82 models. Remembered liking them and thinking that they were basically a four door 240Z, though the JDM models had smaller (2.0L) sixes. IRS was about the same as the Z cars also. Lots of other cars would have been interesting if available in the US too! ... View more

The last AMC Ambassador was built in 1974. So the Ambassador name was used continuously for 47 years by (virtually) the same company. ... View more

You mentioned the Rambler/AMC Ambassador, but forgot the Nash Ambassador. The Nash/Rambler/AMC "Ambassador" is one of the longest running names continuously used by the same company. It started in 1927 with a specially trimmed four-door, five-passenger club sedan version of the "Nash Advanced Six". It was the top of the line Nash model from 1932 through the last Nash made in 1957. Nash and Hudson merged in 1954 forming AMC. The Rambler models were the hottest selling AMC, and AMC used "Rambler" as the car line name starting in 1958 after the Nash and Hudson nameplates were dropped. For 58 and 59 the Ambassador was soled almost as it's own nameplate, being billed as "Ambassador by Rambler" rather than "Rambler Ambassador", which it became in 1960. AMC started phasing out "Rambler" as the car line name in 1966, with the Ambassador sold as the "AMC Ambassador" with the Rambler nameplate removed. After 68 AMC replaced Rambler as the line name on all cars, with the Rambler name staying on only the smallest car -- reverting to a model name. The 69 Rambler American was renamed AMC Rambler. ... View more

"Sausalito Summer Nights" by Diesel. Features a Rambler that is (from my personal experience with old Ramblers in my youth!) well worn and poorly maintained. "We left for Frisco in your Rambler, The radiator running dry..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF1Rsu8IYxg ... View more

There are several Korean (and probably Japanese and Chinese) trucks with four steerable wheels on front. Again, these are for weight distribution. The four front wheel trucks I remember from my one year tour in Korea in 2005 (USAF) were cab-over models and 30-40' long. they use a lot of single unit trucks and few tractor-trailers for long haul. Long being relative -- you could go from the northernmost to the southernmost ends of South Korea in about 6-7 hours, and at least tow of those were due to traffic in and around Seoul. Without that 4-5 would have been easy on the freeway. They don't have a lot of overnight, multi-day hauls like we do in the US. No need to haul a trailer so far then transfer to another truck and driver then transfer freight from the trailer to smaller trucks for point delivery. ... View more

Beautiful boat! Wish I could afford something like that, but it would be a lot of maintenance and would be in storage more than anything else. I wonder what it was originally powered with? Maybe something like a pair of Sterling 225 hp flat-head sixes? http://www.antiqueboatamerica.com/Boat/--_Feet_1929_Sterling_Petrol_Engine_L-6_37770 Or a pair of Scripps 316 hp flat-head V-12s? http://www.antiqueboatamerica.com/Boat/1929_Scripps_302_Engine_31807 ... View more

I had a 1963 Rambler American with a slightly warmed up 195.6 six cylinder. About 170 GROSS HP... which equates to about 120 hp NET (modern car rating). Hardly a power house, though torque started coming in right off idle even with my custom cut cam. Up to 40-45 mph (about 1800 rpm, IIRC) it drove like stock (anything but quick...), but the slightly bigger cam (0.10" more lift, 20 degrees more duration) woke it up over that, gave it a little passing/hill/speed holding power. Over 4K rpm the long stroke small bore six (3.125" bore, 4.250" stroke) sounded like it could tear itself apart. I modified the suspension enough that it was like a roller skate on rails. My back country road driving was simple... just don't drop under 40-45 mph. A friend with a 76 Trans-Am often braced himself on the dash and jumped a little as we entered a 30-35 mph curve at 40-45. I remarked to him o0nce that he knew the car would easily handle that, why did it seem to scare him sometimes (it would take some curves better than his heavy T/A!!)?? I'll never forget the reply..."Yeah, but it's NOT SUPPOSED TO!!" I get it... it's a 63 Rambler American two door sedan, who'd suspect it to be a corner carver??? Wish I still had it sometimes, but it DID need something with a bit more low speed power.. but it was still fun once you got to know it... ... View more

I had a rusted out seat pan on my 1980 GS1000G (sold about 7 years ago with over 100K and still running strong!). Couldn't find a good used one. Looked hard at it, realized the hinges and latch were riveted on, and made one from layered plywood. It was slightly taller on the frame than the stamped steel, about 3/4" (thickness of plywood.. thinner wouldn't be sturdy enough) but it worked great! Put the replacement cover I'd bought a year or two earlier (how I knew it was rusted so bad -- the cover never did hold good on the edges) on it and it looked great! Until you flipped the seat up you couldn't tell. Had a solid base then another layer with the center cut out for the fender and such under the seat. Used original foam. Sat great too! Just had to be creative. I looked at adapting another big bike seat, think I had one from a Honda, but they either were too rusted or didn't fit right without lots of modification.... and they would rust again... Sealed the wood with a couple coats of polyurethane. Still on there and running with the guy I sold it to, and I did this about 2000-2001. ... View more

Like too many things, people with money and lawyers start to get involved and it costs too much and isn't any fun anymore. NASCAR should at least have a real factory production series. Keep speeds down and just have minimal safety equipment allowed over stock (air bags out, simple roll bar and harness in). Well, speeds will be kept in check due to having 100% production suspension and engines. Heck, make 'em run street tires too! They have a high enough speed rating... ... View more