Packard
Member
Dad had a 1958 Buick Station wagon with a big V-8 and a Dynaflow (continuously variable) transmission. It got 6 mpg. I think gas was $0.23/gallon back then. That would be $2.20/gallon in current dollars.
Cars for woodworkers
- Thread starter Packard
- Start date
Came back from Britain in 62-63 with parents after three years of Air Force. Sailed into New York on USS United States. Dad picked up new Mercury Monterey, true boat of a car. Had the slant back rear slide down window. Could lay across hood or trunk and head and feet not dropping. 3 barrel 390 beast. Took that car to back from Germany tour, really got looks from locals blasting down the Autobahn. Became my first car in 1970.
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2016
- Messages
- 3,014
"Had the slant back rear slide down window."
I worked with guy years ago (70s) who had one.
I thought that rear window was way cool. He loved to surf
fish and would hang his poles out the rear window. [eek]
No, not THAT pole. [big grin]
I worked with guy years ago (70s) who had one.
I thought that rear window was way cool. He loved to surf
fish and would hang his poles out the rear window. [eek]
No, not THAT pole. [big grin]
My first car was a 32 Plymouth 4-door "Box". Nothing spectacular.
Myirst car out of the Army was a two-door Ford Sedan that I took the back seat out of so I could carry more tools. I was an apprentice mason, but I was working for builder run by 3 brothers. I never knew what trade I would be working in come morning. I was interested in all building trades in those days. I bougght tools covering all of the trades so I needed a car with a lot of capacity in the trunk.
Every Friday,(pay day) i went to Norwalk where I cashed my check and put a little in the bank. If I was lucky, I parked in front of the bank (head in parking) right in front of the bankfront door. One day, I was lucky and ran in to the bank and right backout ,I jumped into the Ford that was immediately in front of the door, backed out onto the street and headed for home. As got about 50 feet down the street, I realized it was not my car. The seats were clean! I looked in the back seat area and there were no tools. AND the seat was not missing!
I took the next right turn, continued making another right and ended up at the same parking spot I had just left. There was man looking very puzzled and scratching his head. I parked and jumped out asking the man, "Is this what your are looking for?"
We both had the same color and model and year Ford. My key fit both cars. His key, we discovered, fit only his car. AND,the rear seat was NOT missing in his car. AND there were no tools filling the missing seat in his car. Luckily, he had sense of humor, we both got a good laugh out of the escapade.
Tinker
Myirst car out of the Army was a two-door Ford Sedan that I took the back seat out of so I could carry more tools. I was an apprentice mason, but I was working for builder run by 3 brothers. I never knew what trade I would be working in come morning. I was interested in all building trades in those days. I bougght tools covering all of the trades so I needed a car with a lot of capacity in the trunk.
Every Friday,(pay day) i went to Norwalk where I cashed my check and put a little in the bank. If I was lucky, I parked in front of the bank (head in parking) right in front of the bankfront door. One day, I was lucky and ran in to the bank and right backout ,I jumped into the Ford that was immediately in front of the door, backed out onto the street and headed for home. As got about 50 feet down the street, I realized it was not my car. The seats were clean! I looked in the back seat area and there were no tools. AND the seat was not missing!
I took the next right turn, continued making another right and ended up at the same parking spot I had just left. There was man looking very puzzled and scratching his head. I parked and jumped out asking the man, "Is this what your are looking for?"
We both had the same color and model and year Ford. My key fit both cars. His key, we discovered, fit only his car. AND,the rear seat was NOT missing in his car. AND there were no tools filling the missing seat in his car. Luckily, he had sense of humor, we both got a good laugh out of the escapade.
Tinker
Honda Ridgeline is my solution:
Downsides? Handles like an SUV and not a car, it's not very cool, and the gas mileage isn't great.
- All-wheel drive for bad weather
- Handles like an SUV rather than a body-on-frame pickup (I don't tow or off-road)
- 4x8 sheets lay flat when the tailgate is down
- Reasonable tailgate height
- Locking trunk
- Fits in the garage [big grin]
Downsides? Handles like an SUV and not a car, it's not very cool, and the gas mileage isn't great.
Packard
Member
My recommendation is this:
Before buying any car, go online to that model's owner's forum.
If I had done that, I would have known about the Honda CRV's engine problems and I would never have bought that car. As it was I kept the car for 8,000 miles and about 5 months before I gave up on it. The problem (failure to reach operating temperature in cold weather) was never reported in the press, but was widely discussed in the forums.
They came up with a solution but would not retrofit to any already sold vehicles. So I could spend $1,200.00 on the retrofit (which Honda did on the unsold cars on the dealers' lots) or I could trade it in. I traded it in.
I think an hour's labor reading forum gossip on the vehicle you are interested in, is worth the effort.
Before buying any car, go online to that model's owner's forum.
If I had done that, I would have known about the Honda CRV's engine problems and I would never have bought that car. As it was I kept the car for 8,000 miles and about 5 months before I gave up on it. The problem (failure to reach operating temperature in cold weather) was never reported in the press, but was widely discussed in the forums.
They came up with a solution but would not retrofit to any already sold vehicles. So I could spend $1,200.00 on the retrofit (which Honda did on the unsold cars on the dealers' lots) or I could trade it in. I traded it in.
I think an hour's labor reading forum gossip on the vehicle you are interested in, is worth the effort.
Cheese
Member
live4ever said:Surprised nobody has mentioned:
Well it's back...sighted in Palo Alto on 7/14/23 just 1 day before a production sample rolled off the assembly line.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
Attachments
rmhinden
Member
Cheese said:
I saw it a few days earlier. Wasn't as big as I was expecting, looked pretty cool to me.
Bob
Cheese
Member
rmhinden said:
Well that's cool...an actual FOG sighting. [big grin]
Was it the camo version Bob?
It would be neat if it swallowed up 4 x 8 sheets of ply under the hard tonneau cover. [cool]
Cheese said:
Unfortunately it won’t. 6ish foot bed so the gate will have to be down. There were hopes for a midgate but those never materialized.
It’s going to be a killer vehicle for those that don’t mind the looks. One downside will be it will take some time for 3rd party racks etc. to make it to market, though rumor has it Tesla has a secret accessories team that will be releasing racks/accessories alongside. The YT video below has a CT prototype with custom racks.
Max Fracas
Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
- Messages
- 159
I drive (and like) a Honda Ridgeline. It gets 16-17 miles per gallon around town and 25 on the highway. It’s comfortable and surprisingly quiet inside the cabin.
I hope this isn’t a repeat of other posts: When I want real hauling capacity and versatility, I borrow my wife’s Pacifica. Lots of people dislike minivans, but I think the Pacifica is a wonderful vehicle. The middle and back seats fold flat(ish) into the floor and I can put in fairly large cargo (such as the Hammer HS950 sander) via the hatch. It can carry full sheets of MDF and plywood. All with climate control and protection from the elements. On a recent road trip it topped out at 37mpg.
I hope this isn’t a repeat of other posts: When I want real hauling capacity and versatility, I borrow my wife’s Pacifica. Lots of people dislike minivans, but I think the Pacifica is a wonderful vehicle. The middle and back seats fold flat(ish) into the floor and I can put in fairly large cargo (such as the Hammer HS950 sander) via the hatch. It can carry full sheets of MDF and plywood. All with climate control and protection from the elements. On a recent road trip it topped out at 37mpg.
Michael Kellough
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 7,101
For urban camo I suggest random vertical and horizontal graphic elements. The black and white flag stones don't blend in or conceal. It is a cool looking skin though.
rmhinden
Member
Cheese said:
Yes, the camo version! I tried to take a picture, but didn't act fast enough.
Bob
woodbutcherbower
Member
Cheese
Member
woodbutcherbower said:
That's a cool looking van, what is it?
bobtskutter
Member
I think that's a UK spec Ford transit Custom, with an after market body kit and alloy wheels. 2L diesel about 170HP from the factory. Pretty good to drive, just like a car.
Normally seen doing about 85mph in the middle lane of motorways (Mercedes Sprinters go faster).
Regards
bob
Normally seen doing about 85mph in the middle lane of motorways (Mercedes Sprinters go faster).
Regards
bob