Cars!

[ryan1994jeep]

Jeep All The Way

You can't go wrong with a Jeep. I had a 1994 Grand Cherokee that had 280,000 miles when I traded it in. Then I bought a 2007 Grand Cherokee that's fixing to roll on to the 200,000 club. I will always have one. It's never let me down or on the side of the road. I have to admit I am a sucker for a Chevy Tahoe, Range Rover,and Land Rover LR3/LR4. 


 


On another note Jeep is supposed to be bringing back the Grand Wagoneer. I liked the Jeep Commander when it came out in 2006. I always thought they should have called it the Grand Wagoneer.

 

[midcenturyfan]

I obviously agree that modern vehicles have infinitely better safety features than were available in the past. This is obviously a good thing, and I work in a hospital, so I see car crash victims.

However, I still enjoy driving historic vehicles, and I am prepared to accept the risks involved, in the same way that people that play sports, or climb mountains, accept the risks. This seems to offend some people. I have even had a lecture about the safety of classic cars from someone who rides a motorcycle.

Robin.

 

[tolivac]

That crash video involving the 59 Chevy vs the newer one makes me think of the head on crashes that used to be done with old steam locomotives that were going to be retired from duty and scrapped.It was a community event--everyone attended.The locomotives in volved often had rams welded onto them to rupture the boilers for even more effect-and danger.Have an old video of this somewhere in my collections of railroad videos.Quite spectacular-fortunately the audience was seated far enough away so they would not get hurt or killed.
Don't understand in the Mercedes post about the 6Cyl rail diesel engine.Loco engines are a whole diffrent beast than that used in cars.Were talking engines closer to that used in ships-often starting at 1500Hp to 6500Hp and up to 18 cylinders.The loco engine ran a generator that powered the locomotive traction motors that drove the wheels.the torque of the diesel alone could not start a loaded train-the motors could develop that torque though from the generator.First it was compound wound DC motor-now its VFD driven AC motors.At best that "small" 6 cyl engine would be used in a "doodlebug" car-powered passenger car that isn't pulled by a locomotive.Often on commuter trains.Often two or more of that sized engine would be used.Used like a traction motor.Each wheelset has one.Or that small engine could have other uses-Doodlebug trains for carrying rail maintenance crews,and on long freight trains for pumping air for the brake systems--"Compressor" car.And another rail use-very small yard switch locomotives for moving only one or two cars at a time-often in industrial rail yards.

 

[arh1953]

I love seeing all the cars on this thread, and all the places they're located. Safety, I can remember reading that the 1956 Ford got some heat from critics and buyers because it was "implied" that the product was unsafe. Ford introduced the deep dish steering wheel, safety belts, possibly the padded dash, I'm just going from memory, I haven't done an in depth safety study. I was almost killed in a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL four door. It had the front safety harnesses mounted in the doors, and a big old fat airbag that helped chip my front tooth, and helped me get some fractured ribs. I'm sure the harness helped a lot too. Better than being dead though. I broke every bone in my right leg,  and ankle. My Custom Cruiser has the belts anchored in the front doors too, and a thinly padded steering wheel center. I do not want to crash in that car. 


 


Olds Custom Cruisers were the least luxurious of the 1977-1990 B bodied "box wagons" that we wagon nuts refer to the Pontiac Safaris, Chevrolet Caprice Estates, Cruisers, and Buick Estate Wagons of the same period. I looked at the Buick Le Sabre/Electra Estate wagons, the ultimate plushmobiles when ordered that way. You could get really cheap Estates with government fleet interiors and zero options. I even love the fake burled woodgrain they slathered their interiors with.

 

[suckolux]

I may be wrong, no really! But I think with Mercedes claims on the safety equipment their first was offering it as standard equipment and normally on the S class of course. We had traction control,anti lock braking and air bags here in the Early 70s, nobody wanted to buy them, they were optional.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Every single innovation starts

With the S class then the very next year it is applied to all of their models that's how it has been from the beginning but it always goes to all models .

Dan

 

[matt8808]

I've had a few cars over the years.

A late MK4 VW Golf - Was a superb car.
Volvo S40 (2003) - Was a superb car.
BMW E46 Facelift - Superb build quality but major reliability issues.
A battered 98 VW Polo - 180k on the clock and never let me down!
First car was a Pug 306 - I knew nothing about cars when I bought it. It was rubbish and I'll never buy another French car.

Have quite a thing for VW, Audi, Volvo, BMW ect..... I like the solid build quality you tend to get with these brands.

Currently have a R56 Cooper. Love it to bits. I drive for a living so wanted something fun for when I'm not at work.

So far it has 25k miles on it so it's still a baby.
Usual stuff on it that you'd expect from BMW group... Auto climate control, half leather sports seats, bluetooth, stop/start and my favouite bit about it - the John Cooper Works bodykit
Since buying I've changed a few bits... Had the alloy wheel colour changed and removed the white stripes from the bonnet. Also put my private number plate on it too.

The pic where it is all wet from being washed is the latest pic & how the car currently stands.

 

[jmurray01]

<a name="start_27824.311221"></a>"The best or nothing "
"When only the best will do "


 


That's why we drive a Ford...

 


Sorry, couldn't resist.


 


In seriousness though, over the past 7 years Fords have seen us through thick and thin and never ONCE broken down (and I'm not talking about new models, I mean older cars that you would expect to have issues).  I can't comment on Mercedes', but I can be certain they couldn't do better.  Maybe not worse, but certainly not better...  The only difference is, they cost more!

 

[kirbyloverdan]

If I were to

Drive American it would be either a Ford or a Lincoln .

Never a GM with all the recalls and they're cars are just plain ugly no sense of style unlike the gorgeous Ford and Lincoln's of today .

Chrysler doesn't appreal to me just the Jeep Grand Cherokee that's it .

Dan

 

[rugsucker]

car safety/airbag trivia

Some great cars and info above.
Who can tell me when and what two full size cars had the first available airbags?(Not the test fleet studied by the insurance industry.)Also when the general idea of airbags was patented?Hint-Not the 90s or 80s.
To continue Mercedes safety features-
At one time the paint colors were rated for safety as being more or less visible to others in dark conditions.
The horizonal grooves across tail lights allow air and rain to clean them.and more.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Oldsmobile Toronado

And Cadillac .

1968 the patent

Pretty Kool about Mercedes lights with the grooves I always wondered why they were on all of the Benz's I have owned .

Dan

 

[rugsucker]

almost but not quite

Oldsmobile-yes,Cadillac-yes,Toronado-no.
They had airbags in the steering wheel(that could not have the tilt/telescope option)and at the glove box location.The glove box was moved to front center on these few airbag cars.
Now-the year? and time of first patent?

 

[aeoliandave]

Chiming in here.
I'm devoted to Subaru's.
Many of the larger American autos - Ford, GM, Chrysler - I've driven and like very much (but they got no station wagons :-()
Have no use for over-engineered, gimicky bloated cost European fad cars.

For my size and needs, Subaru has the luxury and performance I desire. Their AWD system is demonstably superior to everything else out there in the consumer market.

Got a buddy has a Subaru Tribeca. Puts to shame all other SUV-sized 'luxury' brands.
The Lincoln line has my attention. I'll be at the Detroit Auto Show in a few weeks scoping it all out...

 

[aeoliandave]

Love the new Mini.Have a few dicests & such. Have the Dealership debut RC model as well.

My first three cars were Minis through the 70 - 80s.
A baby blue 1962 sliding window puddle-jumper, a Green 75 w 1275 cc, and lastly a Black de-seamed last of the Canadian model 1986 Cooper S. Good memories.

Dr buddy in San Francisco bought one of the first fully loaded, green with the white roof & sunroof like the one front of picture. Drove it while visiting and took us all the way up the Observatory Hill. What a hoot!

 

[marks_here]

Mine is in my avatar

1983 Cadillac El Ballero ordered in 1982 for my high school graduation present, hand picked all the interior combinations, colour trim lines including the grille with flying lady (which I took off & replaced with Caddy shield) & trunk straps, imts car telephone/pa system and delivered in 1983. I should have gotten the convertible but I liked the bars on the side because it reminded me of the Zimmer Golden Spirit that my neighbour had but didn't want to copy them.

 

[suckolux]

I think the first air bags I saw was Olds full size, but I thought toro too, around 73

 

[rugsucker]

Air Bags & more

1974 Olds 98 & Cadillac were the first you could buy with air bags but with limited demand I think they were one year only until required and then driver only.But not Toronado or Eldorado.The new glove box may have sat on the transmission hump that the FWD would not have.I have seen one Cadillac and have the air bag showroom folder for at least Oldsmobile 'in a box somewhere.'I once knew someone who bought a nice used 71 Sedan de Ville.All was well until the front bumper was bumped.When making repairs with what should have been correct parts they did not fit.GM later informed him that it had been a test car for air bags(removed before sale).
But speaking of Toronado-
First I hope everyone knows the date of first and what it had that had not been seen on an American car in decades.
But from 1974 & maybe a couple more years what other safety feature did Toronado and Buick Riviera have first?They had 2 instead of the 1 required later and were an attractive part of the styling unlike some seen later.

 

[arh1953]

Ford LaTosca, and Alex Tremulis-something different

Alex would be 101 on January 23, worked at Cord, Tucker, Kaiser, and Ford, before starting his own design studio in 1963. Interesting story. 



http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/ford-la-tosca/

 

[suckolux]

I remember the cars at the auto auction and I THINK they had passenger side air bag also?? I thought I saw a Toro with them, but its been 30 years. Brake lamps of course, starting in 71

 

[kirbyloverdan]

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

Was the first car in the US to feature front wheel drive .

Dan

 

[suckolux]

No, first modern car.

 

[aeoliandave]

Yup, first affordable North AMERiCAN consumer car to feature fwd.
Cord and others had it back in the late '20s & 30s.

And then there's the Mini. came out in 1959 and ate Fiat, Messerscmidt/BMW Isetta and the Beetle for lunch.

 

[rugsucker]

1966 Motor Trend Car of the Year-

Olds Toronado.And as above what they had first later along with Riviera was upper level tail lights.2 not 1 and nicely styled between trunk lid and rear window.
Early air bag patent-According to a TV documentary (Learning Channel?)a WWII vet had the idea of a car crash triggering an explosive that would inflate a bag or dash pad and received a patent in the early 50s.

 

[brandon_w_t]

My vehicles in order of when I owned them

1967 VW beetle (red one)
1966 VW beetle (blue one)
1973 VW bus -non camper 3 row seating
1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Hatch
1966 Ford F100 4.9litre Inline-6 2WD custom cab
2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5
2013 Fiat Abarth 5 speed

 

[fanonthefloor]

I drive a 1999 GMC Yukon which I love. I love Gm trucks from that time period because they were built very well and had a lot of modern conveniences.

 

[dustin]

I have had several cars over the years,the majority of them being GM, and those have been the most reliable. My first car, back in about 2008, was a 1987 Dodge Caravan. That was pretty much my training wheels for a real car, I loved it but it needed lots of work. I had it a year almost to the day, then sold it and got my favorite car to this day: a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme- drove that for about a year until the frame rusted out and it wasn't safe anymore, then saved my pennies and bought a 1992 Cadillac Sedan Deville- beautiful car and only had about 100,000 miles, drove great, and really floated, but oh boy was it thirsty! And only ran on premium, at about $5 a gallon. That didn't last more than a few months, and I traded it in on my worst nightmare: 2000 Mazda 626. Only had 100,000 miles when I bough it, and I spent more on repairs (and oil!) than gas. I put 20,000 miles on it, and it burned a quart of oil every 200 miles... When it could no longer be driven (without a new engine), I sold that and bought my current car, a 2003 Chevy Impala, which I have been very pleased with. It is unfortunately pretty much worn out (engine and transmission), because the previous owner didn't maintain it at all. I bought it with 162,000 miles, and have ran it up to 188,000, with little more than oil changes. I would buy another Impala in a heartbeat, but I do believe my next car is going to be a 1996 Nissan Maxima with about 240,000 (Immaculately maintained, rust free!) Miles. Looks nearly new and drives like new; a family member is getting a new car in the spring and I am buying the car from them. Seems like a lot of miles but I know it's been maintained properly and that makes all the difference!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Beautiful

specimens!

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

I also love cars, specifically VAG products. My first car was a '98 Audi A3 TDI with 160,000 miles on the clock. It is now my 17 year old cousins and it is still going strong, not a squeak or rattle, doesn't use a drop of oil.
I am very fussy when it comes to build quality, and no other car manufacturer builds cars like Audi, not even Lexus. The extensive use of stainless steel bolts, nuts and screws, laser seam welding, forged steel door hinges, 9 layers of paint add up to cars which are built like tiger tanks. In Europe, one of the most durable engines available isn't an American V8 from the 80's, but the 1.9PD TDI diesel which was used in Audis, VW's, Skoda and Seats during the later 90s up until only 5 or 6 years ago, replaced by the more efficient common rail TDI's.

Volkswagen group cars reach spaceship mileages. They are still sellable at 150 - 200k. It is all about how they are looked after. They are highly tuned, precision made pieces of kits. I know, I have been to Volkswagen Wolfsburg, as well as being able to get the opportunity to go to the R&D facility. They have every other make of car their, stripped down, comparing their parts to see how they can make theirs better. One of the engineers said to me "our last real rival was Honda. Not anymore" Tells you a lot.

There are people who claim VW's are unreliable, getting bad rep for reliability and DSG problems, but considering that Volkswagen sold more cars than GM and Ford for the last 2 years, you are going to have more VW's in than Toyotas for example, who only sold 18,000 units, compared to Volkswagen 110,000.

They are excellent cars. Love my A6. I get just over 50PMG on a long run, mid 40's around town. Lovely cars.

 

[brandon_w_t]

Wish we had the A6 wagon in the USA. Sexy car. Saw them all over europe.

 

[sonnyndad]

Saw my dream car sitting out yesterday!

A 1958 Oldsmobile. I love this car! If I had the money, I'd make them an offer they couldn't refuse! I'm going to see if my mom will make them an offer. If I could get this, I'd be on cloud nine!