If you were born between 1940 and 1960 - you probably remember all of these times.......and cars.......
A term I haven't heard in a long time, and thinking about 'fender skirts' started me thinking about other words that quietly disappear from our language with hardly a notice like 'curb feelers'
Any kids will probably have to find some older person over 50 to explain some of these terms to you.
Remember 'Continental kits'? They were rear bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental.
When did we quit calling them 'emergency brakes?
At some point 'parking brake' became the proper term.
But I miss the hint of drama that went with 'emergency brake.' I'm sad, too, that almost all the old folks are gone who would call the accelerator the 'foot feed.'
Many today do not even know what a clutch is or that the dimmer switch used to be on the floor.
For that matter, the starter was down there too. Did you ever wait at the street for your daddy to come home, so you could ride the 'running board' up to the house?
Here's a phrase I heard all the time in my youth but never any more - 'store-bought.'
Of course, just about everything is store-bought these days.
But once it was bragging material to have a store-bought dress or a store-bought bag of candy. 'Coast to coast' is a phrase that once held all sorts of excitement and now means almost nothing. Now we take the term 'worldwide' for granted. That floors me.
On a smaller scale, 'wall-to-wall' was once a magical term in our homes. In the '50s, everyone covered his or
her hardwood floors with, wow, wall-to-wall carpeting! Today, everyone replaces their wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors. Go figure.
I miss those made-up marketing words that were meant to sound so modern and now sound so retro. Words like 'Dyna Flow', 'Electrolux' and 'Frigidaire'. Introducing the 1963 Admiral TV, now with 'Spectra Vision!'
Food for thought. Was there a telethon that wiped out lumbago? Nobody complains of that anymore.
Maybe that's what Castor oil cured; because, I never hear mothers threatening kids with Castor Oil anymore.
The owner of a magnificent 1956 Chevrolet convertible, wrote to say he had restored the car to perfection over the last few years, and sent this:
On a very warm summer afternoon he decided to take his car to town as it needed gas, the gauge was practically on empty, but he wanted ice cream, so he headed first to his favorite ice cream shop. He had trouble finding a parking space and had to park the car down a side street.
He noticed a group of young guys standing around smoking cigarettes and eyeing the car rather covetously. He was a bit uneasy leaving it there, but people often take interest in such an old and well-preserved car, so he went off to enjoy his ice cream. The line at the ice cream shop was long and it took him quite a while to return to his car. When he did, his worst fears were realized... his car was gone He called the police and reported the theft. About ten minutes later the police called him to say they had found the car abandoned near a gas station a few miles out of town. It was unharmed and he was relieved.
It seems just before he called, the police had received a call from a young woman who was an employee at a self-service gas station. She told them that three young men had driven in with this beautiful old convertible. One of them came to the window and prepaid for 20 dollars worth of gas. Then all three of them walked around the car. Then they all got in the car and drove off, without filling the tank.
The question is, why would anybody steal a car, pay for gas that they never pumped and then abandon the car later and walk away?
IF YOU GIVE UP----SCROLL Down
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They couldn't find where to put the gas!!!
Article thanks to cRc member Ed Braly
Posted June 28th by Michael Winkel - Ford has recently opened an online resource with lots of great images and information about their cars from 1903 to 2023. Check it out at:
Posted June 26th, 2022 by Jock Campbell.........are the cars of the future really THAT much better from an environmental standpoint? Check out this report (unverified, so take it as you wish) about some of the interesting statistics ......
NOW WHAT WE HAVE HERE........................IS THE DAVIS DIVAN 1948 MODEL. 350 WERE MADE. But all of us couldn't wait to get to the fair every fall to play in one of the most popular fairground rides ever....based on the David Divan.....what was it? Answer at the bottom.
First shown to the public in 1947, just two years after the end of World War II, the Davis Divan was designed as a revolutionary automobile that incorporated a number of aircraft design elements – like a sleek aerodynamic body and a three-wheeled platform based on aircraft tricycle landing gear.
The impetus for the design was a custom car called “The Californian” developed by racing car designer Frank Kurtis for millionaire racing driver Joel Thorne.
The Divan project was founded and led by used-car salesman Glen Gordon “Gary” Davis, though he had the best intentions for the project his methodology was somewhat questionable. He would end up being convicted of fraud and sentenced to two years in prison.
The Davis Divan is based on a steel chassis with an alloy body and a removable fiberglass roof. It’s powered by either a 63 bhp Continental inline-four cylinder engine or the 47 bhp Hercules four-cylinder. The top speed is said to be up to 116 mph (187 km/h).
That fairground ride we all enjoyed so much was based on this car.........dodge-um cars.
The Hoss Fly V8 Barstool
Motorized barstools have been around for decades in one form or another, though most of them are powered by small ~3 bhp Briggs & Stratton motors, not fire-breathing V8s capable of churning our 727 bhp from a massive Chevy big block crate engine. Not that you could even use such a mammoth, since it is geared to a maximum speed of 25 mph, but you would go deaf going around the block, as the barseat is directly between the exhaust headers. Clearly for the gEarhead who has everything.
Hoss Fly is based in the small town of Friedens, Pennsylvania. They sell the Hoss Fly V8 Barstool in kit form, providing everything you need to build one with the exception of the engine.
The prices of the kits start at $8,900 USD for the least expensive, on up to $10,900 USD for the Big Block Deluxe kit which is the most expensive option.
The kits include the go kart-like tubular steel frame, all four wheels, the steering assembly and steering wheel, the seat that attaches to the top of the air cleaner, a fuel tank, and the automatic transmission. Be the first to come to a cRc coffee in one of these. Order yours now! Thanks Jock for sending this.
Some AQUACARS we remember from the past, and then there are those we have no idea about...... here are 10 little vehicles that can navigate on land, or in relatively calm water. What to do about the wheels was always an issue as they created a lot of undesirable drag in the water. Hoisting it on the back of your yacht is one way to reduce drag, but also making it into a hydrofoil is another way. We can't comment about the yahoos in the bed of the Toyota truck with the GIANT Honda outboard attached to the tailgate. I think the submarine was built specifically for a spy movie, and the yellow one that looks like it got stranded on the road at high time? Well who is to say.....
Good Sunday morning and welcome to the SUNDAY FUNNIES, our "Sunday only" compilation of the best things floating around in Dan Haggerty's mind......
Today, under pressure. The University of Houston’s College of Engineering presents this series about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them.
Car dashboards can at times seem overwhelming: gauges, climate control systems, radios. And all those pesky warning lights, including the congressionally mandated low tire light.
The late nineties saw a rash of highway fatalities when Firestone tires failed on Ford Explorers. Congress responded by passing the TREAD Act, a provision of which required all new cars to include tire pressure monitoring systems. Full compliance was achieved by 2008.
So how’s pressure actually measured while a car’s moving? Wires can’t be run to a spinning tire like other parts of a car. That leaves an interesting engineering challenge.
Two basic methods are used. The earliest methods, known as indirect, don’t actually measure tire pressure, they infer it. The most common indirect method tracks the rotation of the wheels. If one wheel is rotating faster than the others, it has a smaller radius, implying it’s flat — or, at least, low on air. The method isn’t the most accurate, but it has one big advantage: it doesn’t require any major new car parts — just changes to a car’s computer programs. Research continues on ways to improve indirect methods.
The alternative, direct methods, actually measure the tire pressure. A pressure sensor is placed inside each tire, usually attached to the valve stem. Each sensor comes equipped with its own battery, and pressure information is radioed to the car.
Direct methods are pretty accurate, but have their drawbacks. The cost of a sensor starts at around fifteen dollars. When a sensor’s battery goes out it needs to be replaced, which requires removing the tire. Sensors are mechanical devices in a harsh environment. Some will inevitably fail. Here again, research to better overcome these obstacles is ongoing.
Common to all pressure monitoring systems is the warning light found on a car’s dashboard. If a tire’s pressure is low, the light will stay on until the problem’s fixed. Since tires tend to deflate a bit over time, we’ll be seeing a lot more people at the air pumps — people who may be dismayed by the inconvenience.
So what do we really gain from tire pressure monitoring systems? For one, fewer traffic fatalities. Improperly inflated tires can lead to blow-outs or tread separation, either of which can be catastrophic at highway speeds. In addition, cars get better gas mileage when tires are properly inflated. If you’ve ever ridden a bicycle with low tires, you know it takes more energy to pedal.
Do the advantages outweigh the cost and inconvenience? It depends on who you talk to. But like it or not, tire pressure monitoring systems are with us to stay. This article courtesy of the University of Houston, and cRc member Jock Campbell.
Posted Feb 23rd - Well I just can't wait to fly atop a massive hydrogen tank for hours!
Speaking of cleaner energy, Airbus said it plans to test a hydrogen-powered engine on a modified A380 by the middle of the decade. The move could bring lower-emissions to commercial air travel, which is responsible for 2.4% of the world's annual total. Airbus hopes the development will result in a zero emissions aircraft entering service by 2035 and has even released mockups of three "hybrid-hydrogen" concept planes to make "zero-emission flight a reality."
How it will work: Airbus chose the A380, the world's largest passenger jet, for the test program because it has room to store massive liquid hydrogen storage tanks and the extra equipment. The adapted jet will have the experimental engine mounted on the rear fuselage, along with four conventional engines on its wings.
Several complex engineering challenges will need to be ironed out first. Those include a cryogenic distribution system, a liquid hydrogen to gas conversion process, as well as special cooling and coating materials. Note that the hydrogen combustion engine, which burns the element in a gas turbine to generate thrust, is different than hydrogen fuel cells (like the ones used in EVs), which generate electricity from hydrogen to power an electric motor.
Outlook: Rival Boeing (BA) is also looking to lower emissions, but has increased its focus on more sustainable aviation fuels due to the economics behind the new technology. While sustainable aviation fuels are more expensive than conventional jet fuel, storing hydrogen requires additional equipment that adds weight, reducing the amount of people or cargo that can go on a plane. Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, even goes as far to say that "hydrogen is what happens when engineers and economists don't talk to each other."
2022 Ford F-150 EV:
Ford builds the best-selling pickup truck in the country, so its decision to create an all-electric version is a big deal. The Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck is due to go on sale in spring 2022 with a starting price of $41,669 for the entry-level Pro model. Pricier XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trims will also be available with standard all-wheel drive featuring an electric motor at each axle, the F-150 Lightning is powered by either a 98.0-kWh battery pack or an available 131.0-kWh unit. The standard battery pack offers a combined peak of 426 horsepower and a manufacturer-estimated driving range of around 230 miles. Opt for the bigger pack, and the truck's output jumps to 563 horses, while the driving range reaches a manufacturer-estimated 300 miles. Remember these are manufacturer estimates. How they would be affected by a hot Oklahoma summer or a wild cRc driveris a good question to ponder.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV looks almost nothing like the Silverado 1500 it complements in the bow-tie brand's lineup. Regardless, the all-wheel-drive Silverado EV packs plenty of promise for future coffee calls. Credit its use of General Motors Ultium electric vehicle components, which allow the truck to travel up to a manufacturer-estimated 400 miles on a full charge. Look for sales to start in 2023, with Chevy prioritizing the fleet-oriented Silverado EV WT grade over the likes of the more stylish (and pricey) Trail Boss and RST trims. –Greg Fink
The Tesla Cyber Truck looks like it was "beamed down Scotty" or dropped off by E.T, but it has the capabilities to challenge all of the top-selling pickup trucks. With a sharp-edged exterior that is made of stainless steel, the vehicle seems to feature fashion over functionality, which may target a certain market but maybe not traditional pickup truck farmers or craftsmen. The rear photo looks to me like accessibility to the bed has some restrictions.
Tesla's all-electric truck is seriously tough. Along with available all-wheel drive, the Cyber Truck can tow up to 14,000 pounds and has an estimated driving range of 500-plus miles. While that applies only to the most expensive model, the cheapest one starts at $39,900. Of course, there's still a lot we don't know about the Cybertruck, including when it will officially go on sale. Tesla has delayed the truck's production timeline several times already.
Toyota recently previewed and EV pickup it plans to produce in the coming years. Toyota shared little about the vehicle itself; however, we believe the truck will pull styling heavily from the next-generation Tacoma—albeit in EV form.
The Canoo........This and the Tesla are probably the most interesting new designs, the Canoo being an more like a retro Dodge A-100 step-van. But make no mistake, the Canoo is a full pickup, and NOT a delivery van.
Canoo plans to assemble its own vehicles so, to achieve this, the company announced it would build its own factory in Tulsa, Oklahoma. ... While the Oklahoma factory is slated to begin operations in 2023, Canoo has stated that its first models will reach customers by the end of 2022.
Canoo features a cab-forward design that forgoes a formal hood As a result, the Canoo Pickup Truck looks like no other pickup currently sold today. Despite this, the Canoo is no less versatile than today's group of mid-size pickups. In fact, it's arguably more versatile, thanks to its cab's frontgate, as well as its side gates and tailgate. Canoo's timeline for the Pickup Truck is rather vague, with the automaker stating the model is set to launch "as early as 2023." Look for The Canoo to offer both rear- and all-wheel-drive powertrain options, more than 200 miles of driving range on a full charge, and about 500 horses.
Lordstown motors is an electric start-up, located in the old Lordstown GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio. They are reportedly having cash-flow problems as they recently sold their interest in the plant to a Taiwan battery manufacturer, FOXCONN, who makes cell phone batteries for Apple. GM also owns about 5% of this start-up.
Lordstown announced some time ago that it was accepting $1000 deposits for the Endurance, and the startup EV maker has since released the full details of its upcoming truck. If the truck actually comes to production, the Endurance will have a range of more than 250 miles, according to Lordstown, thanks to its 109.0-kWh battery pack. The pickup will have a towing capacity of 7500 pounds and a horsepower peak of 600 horsepower. The Endurance is intended as a fleet vehicle with a governed speed of 80 mph.
Production of the Endurance has been delayed several times, and the company has suffered financial difficulties. The latest plan is to sell the still-unfinished factory to iPhone maker Foxconn, which would assemble the truck. As of this writing, the Endurance is due to go on sale late in 2022. We doubt this can happen this quickly.
