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It is my sincere desire to provide readers of this site with the best unbiased information available, and a forum where it can be discussed openly, as our Founders intended. But it is not easy nor inexpensive to do so, especially when those who wish to prevent us from making the truth known, attack us without mercy on all fronts on a daily basis. So each time you visit the site, I would ask that you consider the value that you receive and have received from The Burning Platform and the community of which you are a vital part. I can't do it all alone, and I need your help and support to keep it alive. Please consider contributing an amount commensurate to the value that you receive from this site and community, or even by becoming a sustaining supporter through periodic contributions. [Burning Platform LLC - PO Box 1520 Kulpsville, PA 19443] or Paypal
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To donate via Stripe, click here.
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Use promo code ILMF2, and save up to 66% on all MyPillow purchases. (The Burning Platform benefits when you use this promo code.)
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1980, I had to readjust the door on my Galaxy 500 coupe, I had to use 2 floor jacks to hold it in place. One just like this one:
Call me crazy but, that’s a great looking car.
Those 1971 Big Fords all had immense room and comfortable seats. The suspension springs were supple and had long travel. They had that big car floating ride, and if the road wasn’t that smooth, they would wallow through it. Plus the doors that were real heavy. They had better metal in them when compared to Pintos and Mavericks.
I like that TANK feel in a car. I hate to shut a car door that has the ring of recycled beer cans.
Amen, Brother BL!
The very BEST car-door-closing is a Mercedes. You know this is true because you have one. And it doesn’t matter the year. Dad had an early MB from the 60’s, I have a 2005, and they all sound grrrreat when closing the door.
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On another note, 70 killed in tornadoes in KY. Wow. Obviously, you’re still alive. PTL. Got any property damage?
you beat me to it! owned two early 80s w123 diesels for some years, absolutely the best car ever made. some close relatives stayed with the w126’s (but gas powered) until the last one rusted beyond recovery..
the doors on the 126 were the boss, that solid whump… old american iron does not compare and everything post-1993 is plastic crap..
Yes! Owned a 74 240D, ran for 275K before sold in the mid-80s. Bought an used 83 300D, it was at 250K (gave it to older daughter) when a drunk in Tuscaloosa, while trying to escape the fuzz, went off the road and totaled it around 2000.
Love my 2019 3500 Series MB Sprinter Van. But my 2014 Cayenne Diesel is the cat’s ass. 32 mpg hwy.
True!
OTOH …. there were many 70’s cars that were Total Rust Buckets pieces of crap. Ford had several; Maverick, Pinto, Mustang …. sheet metal as thin as paper.
Nice list here … “15 Cars From The ’70s That Are Insanely Prone To Rusting”
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https://www.hotcars.com/15-cars-from-the-70s-that-are-insanely-prone-to-rusting/
Jap cars were the very worst to rust out. I knew people who had solid Toyotas in the fall and by next their fenders were eaten up by the rust. I think Subarus rusted the worst.
One problem was the metal they were using was recycled, the start of using recycled metal, and the impurities caused no end of rust problems. Had a new 1971 Ford Ranch Wagon, a complete piece of shit. Worst car I ever had and I was a Ford guy for decades. I didn’t even keep it two years it was that bad. I still went back to Ford an got 73 Ranch Wagon, a basic unit with about a 400 cubic inch engine. It was one of the best vehicles I ever had. After a few hundred thousand miles it never had a problem other than regular maintenance, brakes, tune ups etc, no rust.
I’m restoring an old firebird. The doors are so heavy it takes 2 of us a good amount of effort to move them as I am blasting and prepping them now.
Styling on 60s/70s musclecars was outstanding but build quality is junk. They rusted because designers “hoped” water would follow a certain path. Often it didn’t and wound up pooling somewhere that may or may not have been prepped properly depending on what the UAW member drank the night before.
Most tolerances were “close enough”
No shit there. I knew a lady who got hit by an out of control truck, she was driving a Toronado I think. Saved her life.
My first car was a massive Oldsmobile station wagon that weighted
more than my Suburban, and was 3 inches longer. $175 and ran
for 5 years before I sold it for $250. I had over 200k miles on it.
We called those kind of doors “leg crushers”.
Had a rust-bucket ’67 Dodge Dart that had the original 318 in it (though it was toast and had to go) a few years back; so I dropped a ’79 Ram 360 into it, after rebuilding the U-Joint, and took it for a spin.
While waiting for a protected-left at a green light, I forgot and accelerated like I had been normally, which ended up with me fishtailing that left turn right in front of a cop. Naturally he pulled me over, and I explained I’d just replaced the engine; the asshole goes, “Yeah, whatever,” and gives me a ticket for excessive acceleration. So I whitesmoked my tires when I drove away and then threw my hands up like, “Sorry!” and left that punk glaring at me. Good times!
One of the best cars I ever had.
I owned two 55 Chevys, a 57, several C-10 Pick-ups (all great cars), etc but my favorite was a MG Midget that I modified a little to get 39 mpg; what a pleasure to drive and really easy to maintain (although the TR-3/7 were better). I think basic sports cars like that would sell today.