57 Plymouth to be unearthed from 50 year Time Capsule

Nope. In practical terms, my 1960 corvair did everything my current vehicles do except it didn't have AC. Yeah, it was gutless. But it was pleasant to drive from Phx to LA.

The point is not that modern cars are not "better" in that they have more features, the heaters and wipers work better, the transmissions are more efficient, etc,. But that's just refinement. The basic design of the vehicle is the same, the functionality is the same, and in many ways there's not much different even in the "better" part. A

1960 Caddy didn't have great handling perhaps but it was comfortable and had all the creature comforts of any significance unless you think cup holders constitute basic functions of a car.

The best car I ever had was my 69 Firebird 400. It was quieter on the road then my 99GT, driving position and seat was better, interior was nicer looking, and steering was actually quicker and more precise feeling. Handling was worst though. Mileage in normal driving was not great but I got about 15 mpg on a fast trip and once got 21 mpg doing a steady 55 mph from phx to LA during the 72 oil crisis. The

99gt is technically a better car and I really like it but it will never replace the 69 when all categories of "why I like a car" are added up. And the 69 was still on it's original, unturned front disks at 125,000 miles. And they were SHOT.

Very few test mules ever go into production.

mike

The same is true of a horse and carrage, except that it is bit slower.

Jeff

In 1949 there was no equivalent truck to the F250/F350 or the E250/E350 type of trucks most plumbers use today.

mike

No, the basic design of a horse and carriage is fundamentally different. But you are right that he could get by with the HC albeit he could not carry nearly the amount of tools or travel quickly, or "gas up" rapidly. That's the kind of fundamental differences I'm talking about.

What were we talking about? It's hard to tell because someone is too old to figure out how to post inline. Top-posting is rude and makes it hard to follow a thread.

There was a Model A pickup. My dad learned to drive on one so he could carry coal around and deliver it to his dad's costumers. And if you don't beleive me that Ford made pickups back then, there was a book or series of books about growing up in Virgina during the Depression by Earl Hamner where he talks about his Model T truck. (The books later became the basis for the TV series "The Waltons," now available on DVD.)

There was also the F-3, which was a heavy duty pickup truck, which came out in 1948.

There were also many delivery trucks, like the Divco trucks, that could be used by plumbers, too. Until a few years ago, an old dude used to drive one into Scranton every day going at top speed (maybe 40 mph) to deliver milk or something. And before I had hair on my face, Dairylea used to deliver milk to my house. Later, another milk company took up the route. My mom canceled it, but my dad had her reorder milk delivery, because they were one of his costumers (he rebuilt many Divco and other auto and truck engines).

There is a big truck company in Allentown, PA, called "Mack." Perhaps you heard of it. They made buses and many military vehicles for World War II. I would be surprised if they did not make trucks that plumbers could not use.

Jeff

Pickups were about the only game in town, and MOST were only half tons. There were one ton and 3 ton trucks, but not enclosed, EXCEPT for the Dodge Four Point series from 1935 to 1938 and the Chevy 3805 series.(1955-1959) These were Panel Delivery vans. 3/4 to 1 1/2 ton.

Most plumbers and electricians in those years used pickups or cab and chassis trucks with custom "service backs"

In answer to an earlier note that the plumber wouldn't have been able to get a heavy enough "van" back around 1949, I dug up a bit of info. In 1955-59 the 3805 Chevy series was a ONE TON Panel Van. In 1935-1938 the Dodge Four Point was available as a 3/4, 1, and 1 1/2 ton panel van.

The truck sold today have to meet pollution standards. What if horses had to meet those standards as well? ;)

mike

Diapers.

I believe that one of the driving forces for streetcars in major cities back when horses were the standard power plant was the horse manure. There was an army of street sweepers employed in those cities to shovel the crap. And when it rained.... you didn't want to be there.

My great great great grandfather was a plumber in the early 1800's and he drove a pimped out Conastoga wagon with 40 inch rims. His horse power was provided by a team of Budweiser Clydesdales.

You iz correct! Old cars are cool...but an VW bug does not exactly fit that category. A 57 Chevy or old 67 GTO maybe but VW?,....naw.