Old Cars

[TWFAUST at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/31/2010 3:00:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
quattro-request at audifans.com writes:

> Anyway, it was a police crime movie with lots of car scenes. I  guess  
> you have to be over 50 to remember those big old  cars.
>
> Just opening the doors made the car rock like a boat and  any turn at  
> 5 mph made the skinny tires  squeal.


Can't  trust the movies. Have you ever noticed how tires squeal on dirt 
roads? How  about the "sparks" when a copper clad bullet hits steel?  

They did make "police specials" in those days which weren't so bad.  
Cadillac was 3rd at LeMans in '53. I forget the name, but in those days there  was 
a 1000 mile "road race" through Mexico. Cadillac and Lincoln seemed to  
alternate as winners. Shortly after, the government put the "factories" out of  
the racing business.  Part of the "safety" craze of the late 50's that  
gave us dished steering wheels and padded dashes.  Shortly after, the  
government put limits on horsepower/weight, etc., etc. The manufacturer's had  to 
understate horsepower, and sold parts "under the counter". Apparently the  ban 
didn't effect "dealers". The father of my local Ford dealership (Tasca  
Ford) sold "new" Fords with aluminum fenders, hoods and bumpers, "police"  
suspensions, and engines modified  per factory specs. Those cars are  almost 
priceless now, selling at well more than 100K.
 
Don't mean to be pushing American cars on an Audi board. What the hey, my  
family is from NC/Virginia and I am only one generation away from "redneck". 
 Plus, I will always remember that Chrysler 300 that my father had. I 
believe  that had the laycock d'normanville 4 speed, (that just rolls of the 
tongue,  doesn't it?), and the dual carbs sitting out over the fenders.
 
Tom Faust