GM could have easily marketed the "Ute" in North America without breaking the bank. I don't think they'd have to change much to make it legal.
But it would screw with their CAFE numbers, especially if it turned out to be popular (which I think it would have been). Too bad.
But it would screw with their CAFE numbers, especially if it turned out to be popular (which I think it would have been). Too bad.
Ford 390 Police Interceptor with a three speed manual and dealer installed automatic shift overdrive was really hot early to mid 1960s.
I had a 1969 Galaxie with a plain 390 and while it only revved to 4200 RPM before nosing over, it had seemingy infinite torque. You couldn't even push the pedal to the floor until you were going 20 mph without going sideways.
The British have form in that.
During the time of bubble cars a British manufacturer (I forgot which one and they likely do not exist anymore) tried to market theirs in Germany.
The model was called 'Tripper' which unfortunately and apparently unbeknown to them is the German word for gonorrhea. It didn't sell well...or at all.
Walmart is doing fine in Canada. They started by scooping up a well loved Canadian brand. I can remeber the shop, but not the name. Not so well for Target, Lowes, many more. Canadian market is definitely different than the US.
dave
I drove a huge 2-door FORD with a 7 litre, a 4-speed, and suspension that often acted to limit the speed to the speed limit.
dave
A land yacht!
So called because the soft suspension leads to seasickness if you drive them in Europe. 😉
So called because the soft suspension leads to seasickness if you drive them in Europe. 😉
They're huge like a barge, and they handle like one too.
They ride so nice. They have plenty of power and are a breeze to drive on the open road. I had an Olsmobile that had a huge, comfy interior. It was quiet and well insulated from road noise. I drove it cross country a few times and it was without a doubt a luxury ride.
They ride so nice. They have plenty of power and are a breeze to drive on the open road. I had an Olsmobile that had a huge, comfy interior. It was quiet and well insulated from road noise. I drove it cross country a few times and it was without a doubt a luxury ride.
I had to admit I didn't 'get' American car suspension until I did my first road trip. When you have 600-700 miles to cover in a day on the interstate it all suddenly makes perfect sense.
"The Aston Martin, while a magnificent machine, is not a quiet one.
Carping critics have maintained that the engines meant for the David Brown tractor division occasionally found their way into the wrong machines.
Ferrari and Porsche owners call it the fastest lorry in Europe."
A more or less exact quote from the novel "The Way to Dusty Death" by Alistair MacLean.
And I have an old Observer's book, the small ones with pictures, 1984/85, and it says "The fastest lorry in Europe gets...(some new features for that year)".
So I have two references to the Aston Martin of that era being noisy, enough to be called a lorry...and a mention of being made in the same premises as a tractor factory, or at least a tractor engine factory.
I have no connection to Aston Martin, there are hardly any machines here, Porsche seems the the most popular car in that category here in India.
And our bumpy roads mean the Cayenne sells far more than the 911, scraped bottom on low slung cars is common, too many speed humps and pot holes.
Carping critics have maintained that the engines meant for the David Brown tractor division occasionally found their way into the wrong machines.
Ferrari and Porsche owners call it the fastest lorry in Europe."
A more or less exact quote from the novel "The Way to Dusty Death" by Alistair MacLean.
And I have an old Observer's book, the small ones with pictures, 1984/85, and it says "The fastest lorry in Europe gets...(some new features for that year)".
So I have two references to the Aston Martin of that era being noisy, enough to be called a lorry...and a mention of being made in the same premises as a tractor factory, or at least a tractor engine factory.
I have no connection to Aston Martin, there are hardly any machines here, Porsche seems the the most popular car in that category here in India.
And our bumpy roads mean the Cayenne sells far more than the 911, scraped bottom on low slung cars is common, too many speed humps and pot holes.
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NareshBrd, another example of any excuse to have a go at anything British, and now you're resorting to fiction?
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The engine used in the TE20 tractor was good enough to race at Le Mans, although I doubt it would haul the weight of an Aston.
So you quote a work of fiction? Not sure when the novel was set (but it was published in 1973) and in 1972 David Brown sold aston martin.
Now a couple of facts. David brown bought AM in 1947. He then bought lagonda for the straight 6 engine they had (a bentley design)They ran that engine for many years until they moved to V8s. No AM were made at the tractor factory. No one could say Bond's DB5 was any noisier than a sports car should be?
You should also carefully re-read the quote from the novel armed with a dictionary to understand more completely what the author meant.
The observer's book is a kids book. I used to have several of them in my younger days. Hardly a good source of information. In 1984 if you bought a hoofing great V8 performance car you WANTED people to hear you coming. If you wanted to waft around quietly you bought something else. That was part of what made them what they are.
There are several stories about why the AM joked about being a lorry. One from the BBC was Enzo ferrari dismissing AM when they produced a car faster than his. He certainly had form in that area having pissed of Lamborghini enough that he set up his own car company.
Just got a brand new Subaru Crossterek touring 2024. Took me six months to get it, but Great car.