Did all we really used to drive these cars?

Well, I would say that's what a test drive was for in the old days. I'm gonna bet that granny opted for PS after plowing into an oncoming squad car.

I suggest a daily weight-training regimen. Just because you are a geezer doesn't mean you have to be weak. Seriously, Bill. I've been back at the iron for a few months now and *everything* is easier. If an old serpent can do it, you can, too.

Like I said, you're getting old and weak. Is your daughter complaining?

And older and weaker.

They could gripe all they wanted if they chose not spend $86.30 for power steering or $43.20 for power brakes. Ya get what pay fo. And yes, those are option prices for a '65 Mustang.

A few years ago I used to take my 440 Road Runner out for the occasional spin. This car has manual steering, manual drum brakes, manual trans with a big clutch, headers with noisy mufflers, worn out seat padding, and ultra-stiff Mopar SS leaf springs out back. And it weighs at least 1000 lbs. more than your '65 Mousetang. It is a beast in every sense of the word. I love it. There's something very special about piloting an animalistic conveyance that demands your attention every minute. I swear my nads picked up a pound after every cruise.

CobraJet

My 1970 Mustang Mach I featured (from the factory) 4 speed close ratio toploader (*non* hydraulically assisted clutch), 4 wheel drum brakes and

"180 Out" wrote

"yep, the kids these days. We used to have to try not to break our arm cranking our cars to get'em started."

Reminds my of my 91 ranger that didn't have power steering. Except for parking, I didn't see much use in it. Anyhow, it seemed to get harder and harder to park. I found the front tires were down to 19 psi. After I put in air, it felt like I had power steering when I parked! John

I agree: we've become spoiled, but it's not too late to undo the ravages of modern convenience.

I went to work for a produce trucking company about 9 years ago that offered very 'basic' semi trucks for their bulk deliveries to canneries. We're talking old (OLD!) cabovers without springs or air ride, no PS or A/C, no friggin AM/FM radio, and seats that were bolted to the floor - the non-adjustable variety.

After a few days in this thing, I thought I was gonna DIE! If I didn't croak from heat exhaustion, my kidneys were being beaten to death at every crack in the road. It took every damn thing I had to make a turn: even at 6'1" 265 lbs, cranking that big ol' 28" hard-plastic steering wheel enough to round the bend lifted my ass clear out of the seat, and then some. The clutch was so friggin stiff, my leg muscles burned and ached ever damn second of that

But you know, after a couple of weeks, none of this was an issue. Like we did in the 60's and 70's, we simply got used to it. We were all in better physical shape, and piloting these machines took much more skill and dexterity than anything we drive today.

Oh yes, we've become very, very spoiled.

-JD

-------------------------------- Enlightenment for The Masses: http:/207.13.104.8/users/jdadams--------------------------------

Two things:

1. When you get used to manual steering and brakes, you don't even notice it.
2. Clutches in traffic, not so. Nobody gets used to that. I remember reading that the Chevy execs were expected to drive hot Chevies to work all the time, and they hated it, so they came out with the Caprice around 1966 or so. This was motivated purely by them needing something to drive in the Detroit traffic.

What's amazing to me is that everybody drove 80 mph on the interstate with drum brakes, bias ply tires, and no sway bars. Everything on the road handled like a coal barge and the speed limit was 75. As we all know, there were a LOT of dead people per mile driven in the U.S. There still are a lot, but nothing like 30 or 40 years ago.

I think it would be kind of interesting to get a daily driver that would only go 50 mph. Like a restored M38 Jeep or something. Then you'd have to drive on back roads and streets, and you'd have to take your time. You'd be driving AS IF modern bypass roads had never been built. Might be good therapy for agressive driving.

Could be worse - how about a 1970 AMC Hornet - 3-on-the-tree - on the hills in the rain with vacuum wipers? :)

Rob

"Joe" wrote

Or a good way to decrease the surplus population. There's just enough morons out there who would STILL try to drive like it was I-15 going from Las Vegas to San Bernardino.