Bought car from private owner and started to restore.
Replaced engine and transmission, restored interior and bondo on exterior.
These old cars were built tough and made to last, no foreign nuts and bolts and no plastic on these. 100% American made.
No plastic... what do you consider bondo to be??
I have seen "foreign nuts" in these... usually behind the wheel!
My coworker had just bought a 1957 4 door Bel Air. He had me check out the car. I replaced the rear brakes on it. These are quite different. It was in those days when technology was VERY simple. NO stupid complicated sensors and parts that todays cars are notorious for! When I look at these cars. I comment to myself...
WOW! THESE WERE THE DAYS WHEN CHEVROLET KNEW HOW TO MAKE A CAR! BUT now, "WHAT HAPPENED, CHEVROLET. You guys don't know how to make a car TODAY (2008)???
Wow, what happened to oil changes every 1500 miles and complete tune-ups every 5000 miles? What about bias-ply tires that only lasted 7-8000 miles before wearing out? And vapor lock? And having to pull off the side of the road on a hot day because the low-pressure cooling system overheated? And drum brakes on all four wheels that would fade when they got hot and would pull the car to the side when braked hard? And trying to start a car with a carburetor on a really cold day?
Yeah, those were the good old days alright.
Yeah I guess... you're right.
About those old cars. Everything is "mechanical" and simple. Those "mechanical" parts are FAR more reliable and CHEAPER and easier to diagnose than those stupid multi sensor computer, ECMs, etc (that are famous to fail) electronic parted cars on which those electronic parts cost more than the whole car to replace. Not to mention TODAY'S Chevys and Dodges, etc (I have a Dodge Caravan BTW) last about as long as those old cars! What's up with that! IE Dodge Intrepid 2.7 liter engines last less than 100k miles. And many of TODAY'S (I'm NOT saying all) Chevys last only 100k before they fall apart.
YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THE GOOD OL DAYS of the past reliability??? You don't need to buy a 1957 Bel Air, you can buy a new Chevy. You'll remember those good ol days when your new 2008/2009 Chevrolet of today breaks before 100k! Or before 50k!!!
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site