[Vwdiesel] Powerplant Trades

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> Thirty years ago who would have thought that a 
> full-sized car with a 300 hp gasoline engine could get 20 mph?  My '58 
> VW bug with about a tenth that horsepower didn't get much better mileage 
> than that.
> 

  I dunno, Dad had a '60 Chevy wagon that he dropped a 300hp 327 
in, changed the rear end and had great power and 19+ mpg in a 
HEAVY car.  Got around 20 at 90mph in his '49 Merc as well.  His 
57 Bug got something like 32mpg over the whole time he owned it.  
It made something like 38 mpg on the initial drive home. :)

  I'd had thoughts LONG ago about semi hybrids.  A guy in Seattle 
was turning out electric cars here and there and I had the idea of 
using less battery weight and a small generator to supplement it.  
Less weight, keep the range and have the ability to recharge anywhere 
as long as you have fuel.  I think I'd had the idea of mechanically linking 
a small diesel with the electric for suppplemental or switchable power 
with a good sized alternator.  Basically a small diesel powered car 
with an electric motor for more power when you needed it.  I proposed 
it to Steve and he said it'd never work.  Guess I shouldn't have 
listened!
  It was BEAUTY-FUL at the beach the last coule days!  : )
Mostly fixed pipes that froze/rusted last winter, mowed and slept.
     Loren