What Did You Learn To Drive In?
- Thread starter JWinAZ
- Start date
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
The Buick 215 aluminum V-8 was only made by Buick for a couple of years. It was a very advanced engine, but it suffered from two problems: It was expensive to make, and Americans viewed it as too small. Neither of those issues were actual faults. Unfortunately, when buyers could get a cast iron straight six with greater displacement or an iron block V-8 with more displacement for less money, it became a tough sell.
The design was sold to Rover of England (circa 1967?) It was an extremely successful engine in Rover Sedans (P5B and P6). That engine went on to be used in Range Rovers and many other British applications. It was/is a very sophisticated V-8. Fast revving, lightweight, compact, and very adaptable.
It was said Queen Elizabeth loved her Rover P5B and had more than one. She could ride in or drive any car she wanted but the P5B with that Buick V-8 was her favorite. UK Prime Ministers rode in Rover Sedans for years before the official PM car became the Jaguar. Some said they took a step back when that happened.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The Valiant and Dodge Lance were the most dependable running gear made. The problem in the Mid-West was that after five years they rusted so bad the fenders fell off and the floor boards were gone.
I always thought the 61 Valiant couple was good looking and a friend drag raced a "big six" (225 cubic inch) one from 1964 to 1966 and did well in NHRA races.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The only one better was the Olds Jetfire, same engine with turbo charging.
JWinAZ
Active Member
For driver's ed it was a VW bug, 4 on the floor, instructor had a brake only. The classroom portion featured the classic "Red Asphalt" movie.
The other ranch trucks were a late 60's Chevy C10 stepside 6cyl, 3 on the tree and a mid 50's International S series 4x4. The C10 required taps to the starter solenoid to start occasionally. The International was a heavy duty with overload springs, geared really low, and would go anywhere.
My dad had rather eclectic tastes in vehicles. A few that I drove were: Saab 900, Saab Sonett III, Peugeot 504 diesel and International Scout II PU with 345 V8. Mother's vehicles back then were a 1968 Valiant and a 1972/3 D-100, both with the Slant-6 and 3sp auto. The D-100 had smog stuff and was gutless.
The other ranch trucks were a late 60's Chevy C10 stepside 6cyl, 3 on the tree and a mid 50's International S series 4x4. The C10 required taps to the starter solenoid to start occasionally. The International was a heavy duty with overload springs, geared really low, and would go anywhere.
My dad had rather eclectic tastes in vehicles. A few that I drove were: Saab 900, Saab Sonett III, Peugeot 504 diesel and International Scout II PU with 345 V8. Mother's vehicles back then were a 1968 Valiant and a 1972/3 D-100, both with the Slant-6 and 3sp auto. The D-100 had smog stuff and was gutless.
JonB
Halcyon member
After the Brit Queen's passing, I learned of her history with cars/trucks...quite fascinating.
A Princess At War: Queen Elizabeth II During World War II | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
During the Second World War, life changed dramatically for the people of Britain, including the Royal Family.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I didn't learn to drive on it but I owned a 1964 Dodge 330 2 door sedan. (the bottom rung of the B-body platform).
225 Slant Six, 3 speed on the column, drum brakes all around with no power assist and a single piston master cylinder. No A/C and the only "power" to the steering came from the driver. It was a daily driver.
Then much later I owned a 1964 Bel Air 4dr sedan. 250 straight-six (bulletproof!) 3 speed on the column and the only synchronized gears were 2nd & 3rd. From a dead stop you touched 2nd gear to stop the cluster gear in the transmission from spinning and then you put it in 1st gear (or reverse) . Drum brakes all around and 2 speed windshield wipers - On and Off!
225 Slant Six, 3 speed on the column, drum brakes all around with no power assist and a single piston master cylinder. No A/C and the only "power" to the steering came from the driver. It was a daily driver.
Then much later I owned a 1964 Bel Air 4dr sedan. 250 straight-six (bulletproof!) 3 speed on the column and the only synchronized gears were 2nd & 3rd. From a dead stop you touched 2nd gear to stop the cluster gear in the transmission from spinning and then you put it in 1st gear (or reverse) . Drum brakes all around and 2 speed windshield wipers - On and Off!
Last edited:
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I'm familiar with that set up. You didn't get anywhere fast, but you got there!!! I'm a slant 6 fan myself. Best little 6 banger ever!1964 Dodge D300 225 slant six and 4 speed manual transmission, fun times in mountains of Virginia and West Virginia.
Rockydoc
Well-Known Member
When my dad came home from WWII he had bought a couple surplus vehicles, a Dodge Power Wagon with a big winch on the front and a jeep that was still in a "carton" shipping crate.
We had a front yard that was several acres big. I was 8 years old and I drove that jeep all over the place. It was too tough for me to hurt and about the only thing for me to run into were trees. Besides. I couldn't shift the gears so I drove in first gear all the time. That was an early start, by the time I was 13 I had to drive dad's Buick home from a cattle auction one night, his truck driver had gotten drunk so dad had to drive the truck load of cattle. The distance was 110 miles, I left Columbus, MS for Greensboro AL at 10:00 at night.
At 15 I was driving a delivery truck route that took in several central Ala. counties delivering meat for his packing house.
I have owned 40 or so cars over the years, most of them I no longer remember, some that I do are:
The first car that was my own was a 1955 Buick Super hand-me-down from my dad. The first new car I owned was a 1957 Chevrolet convertible, cost $3100 and change. 283ci, 4 barrel and dual exhausts, 3 on the column.
My most recent acquisition (I love cars) is a Mazda MX5 Miata, just a fun little car to tool around in.
We had a front yard that was several acres big. I was 8 years old and I drove that jeep all over the place. It was too tough for me to hurt and about the only thing for me to run into were trees. Besides. I couldn't shift the gears so I drove in first gear all the time. That was an early start, by the time I was 13 I had to drive dad's Buick home from a cattle auction one night, his truck driver had gotten drunk so dad had to drive the truck load of cattle. The distance was 110 miles, I left Columbus, MS for Greensboro AL at 10:00 at night.
At 15 I was driving a delivery truck route that took in several central Ala. counties delivering meat for his packing house.
I have owned 40 or so cars over the years, most of them I no longer remember, some that I do are:
The first car that was my own was a 1955 Buick Super hand-me-down from my dad. The first new car I owned was a 1957 Chevrolet convertible, cost $3100 and change. 283ci, 4 barrel and dual exhausts, 3 on the column.
My most recent acquisition (I love cars) is a Mazda MX5 Miata, just a fun little car to tool around in.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Most of the American, OHV, in-line six cylinder engines were pretty good work horses. The Chrysler Slant-Six only had 4 main bearings but the crank was massive, and therefore strong. The big Ford inline sixes (240 and 300 ci) had seven main bearings. The AMC (258) and and later Chevrolet (250) sixes also had seven main bearings.
They were all good engines, capable of yeoman like service.
F85 - I was trying to remember that one, with the aluminum cast air cleaner box. Dad had one, trans was funny. He sold it when it took off on it's own in the driveway. He'd stop, put in park and open the door to get the news paper. It decided it wanted to GO. So it WENT. IIRC Pontiac had one with the trans in the back and a 'flex' shaft from the motor.
fiver
Well-Known Member
i've seen some of those engines juiced up.
i remember a 225 slant 6 that put out 400 hp.... big number for the early 80's.
and later a Ford 300-6 that was stupid jacked up to like 850 with a couple of Turbo's.
the sound it made when wrapped out was enough to make you cringe, but it kept going and going.
i remember a 225 slant 6 that put out 400 hp.... big number for the early 80's.
and later a Ford 300-6 that was stupid jacked up to like 850 with a couple of Turbo's.
the sound it made when wrapped out was enough to make you cringe, but it kept going and going.
dannyd
Well-Known Member
My first new truck Dodge D100, 225 and three on a tree. All my trucks were stick from 1973 to 2011. Never had A/C ether unit 2011, lived in Florida from 1976.
Last edited: