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Yes I remember the good old day, .23 reg and .25 white pump chevron 110 octane stuff. My first car was a 34 ford chopped and channeled with a 401 Buick nail head. All the parts were hand made as there were no after market parts at that time,( Love it today just go to the catalog and order) I bought my first corvette in 1965 Red with black inside, 327 cu.
365 HP. Had to sell it one year later because of the Vietnam war. Couldn't afford the payment when you are only making $81.00 month in the military
sure missed that car.
Interesting how many of us got started with flathead Fords. I had a 1950 2 door sedan, V8 3 speed. I feel I must correct those who stated their shift was "on the column" the term I recall us using was "3 on the tree".
A little old lady traded the Ford in at the first dealer I ever worked for, it had been babied, low mileage perfect shape. I'll give you two guesses how long it lasted once I started driving it, the shock of an 18 year old after the old lady was more than it could stand, it disintegrated.
Interesting how many of us got started with flathead Fords. I had a 1950 2 door sedan, V8 3 speed. I feel I must correct those who stated their shift was "on the column" the term I recall us using was "3 on the tree".
A little old lady traded the Ford in at the first dealer I ever worked for, it had been babied, low mileage perfect shape. I'll give you two guesses how long it lasted once I started driving it, the shock of an 18 year old after the old lady was more than it could stand, it disintegrated.
Tell you a little story about the 1950 Ford. My Father In Law (now deceased) worked for Ford all his days at the corp. level in Dearborn Mich. He was present when the 1950 four door was first shown to the higher level execs on the track of their "proving grounds" there. The execs piled into this proto and took one lap around the track. When they got back they could not open the doors of the car to get out. Their weight had caused the structure of this proto to fold enough at the pillars to "jamb" all four doors shut! They had to take a crow bar to pop the doors open. Needless to say, it was back to the drawing boards.....One of my Father In Law's very favorite FORD insider stories. And that's the truth!
Tell you a little story about the 1950 Ford. My Father In Law (now deceased) worked for Ford all his days at the corp. level in Dearborn Mich. He was present when the 1950 four door was first shown to the higher level execs on the track of their "proving grounds" there. The execs piled into this proto and took one lap around the track. When they got back they could not open the doors of the car to get out. Their weight had caused the structure of this proto to fold enough at the pillars to "jamb" all four doors shut! They had to take a crow bar to pop the doors open. Needless to say, it was back to the drawing boards.....One of my Father In Law's very favorite FORD insider stories. And that's the truth!
Ford hasn't gotten any better. I have a 04 Explorer with 43,000 miles that I wouldn't take out of town.
I was proud to be an American, no Japanese cars to be found anywhere.
Being an American meant you drove a chevy.
Me and a friend privateered a 1962 Impala SS 409 4 sp.
San Fernando drag strip.
Now it doesn't mean shizt.
I dont get it?
feminisim
globalism
fear & loathing
political correctness
these, and more, have contributed to the nad removal of the american male.
I had light paint damage and two extra taillights installed in my wife's '66 coupe at Bruno's around 1974.
Impresssed with the quality I brought the '64 roadster I've owned since 1966 to Bruno's in 1982 and 1983. Changed every panel except the two doors. J & D '82 flares, front and rear roll pans without bumpers, '58 headlight buckets, custom headlight doors, Grand Sport hood, removed rear deck spine and cut deck lid in, '84 seats and 25 coats of Porsche Guards Red acrylic lacquer.
Still have the car minus engine which is in my oldest son's '63 Chevy II. Two kids out of college, one is senior at Berkeley and youngest still in high school.
When last kid is through with school I plan to cut off windshield, install bubble top and air and add my favorite engine, 1970 Cadillac 500.
Redwing, in an earlier post you mentioned that in the 50s we didn't have the japanese cars. We did have another winner. Remember the Ranault Dauphine with the good ole town horn-country horn commercials.
I guess I'll throw my two cents in, I started working in the garage where my Dad worked at 13 years old washing cars back in 1963, went through 5 owners was there for 7 or 8 years, gas was around .29, the last owner I worked for had a national record holder 409 chevy named Zorro, learned a lot from that guy! my greatest memories were when the super cars were in production, all the hot rodders and muscle car owners would bring there cars to our shop, with stories like "it brakes up over 6500, or it hesitates when I try to stomp on it at a light, or the guy with the 435 horse vette every time I floor it I go into the curb, that was a tough one just told him to keep practicing, most I would tell them they have to leave it I'll take it out later for a test drive, now that was fun!
It's great to be reminded how fantastic it was to grow-up loving cars in the 60's First car 41 Ford Business coupe with flathead, glass-paks and chrome scavenger pipes! Had to put main and rod bearings in before I could drive it Didn't get first Vette [1966]until coming back from Navy in 1969 been loving and working on neat cars ever since. Love the new muscle cars but also love the old ones and all the memories.
I had light paint damage and two extra taillights installed in my wife's '66 coupe at Bruno's around 1974.
Impresssed with the quality I brought the '64 roadster I've owned since 1966 to Bruno's in 1982 and 1983. Changed every panel except the two doors. J & D '82 flares, front and rear roll pans without bumpers, '58 headlight buckets, custom headlight doors, Grand Sport hood, removed rear deck spine and cut deck lid in, '84 seats and 25 coats of Porsche Guards Red acrylic lacquer.
Still have the car minus engine which is in my oldest son's '63 Chevy II. Two kids out of college, one is senior at Berkeley and youngest still in high school.
When last kid is through with school I plan to cut off windshield, install bubble top and air and add my favorite engine, 1970 Cadillac 500.
Stock Corvettes are BOR-ING.
What ever happend to Bruno anyway? Anyone know.
I remember the 3-4 tail light on the C3's that was the deal then.
Berkeley smart kid thats one out of thousands.
The best body man I ever saw worked at Bruno's a black fellow who could build anything. He had a Jamacian Fiber-fab that was powered by a 327 Corvette with a targa top.
It was cool 70 Ford Maverick tail lights and they fit right in.