<![CDATA[Comments from Hotrodelectric]]> <![CDATA[Comments from Hotrodelectric]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on The Junked Cars Of Limerick, Maine]]> Shoveit was supposed to be strike through, dagnabbit.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on The Junked Cars Of Limerick, Maine]]> Slantsick, you were asking about the Opel. That one is actually an Isuzu Bellett, rebadged as an Opel for the US market. Even though Opel built a version of this, I guess German-made was too expensive for us, and so GM gave us the Japanese-made one in an attempt to keep Buick's captive import alive a little longer, hoping noone would notice. This little gem also explains where the Shoveit Chevette came from. Call the Opel a '77 or '78. I gave these a quick passing glance while on my way to my first new car- a '78 LeCar.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on 1973 Buick Electra 225, With Bonus 1973 Poll]]> @dculberson: Ain't no accounting for taste, dculberson. I love Belgian Trappist-style ale. A friend of mine can't stand the stuff. He would rather have a Double IPA or a Porter. Eh, it's all good.

@Mike the Dog: Wasn't that the one that had what was basically giant opera windows? IIRC, all the GM B's had that style in the lineup.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on 1973 Buick Electra 225, With Bonus 1973 Poll]]> @Van Sarockin: Yah, ours was a dark blue Custom 4 door hardtop that Dad had specially ordered while he was stationed in Japan. He and I went to a dealer in Detroit to pick it up. Mom- who definitely was NOT a church organist, despite being only 5' tall- would make the round trip from Fresno to Castle AFB for the comstore. It wasn't unusual for her to have the speedo wrapped around past the 120 mark at some point during the trip. That car replaced the '68 Delta, which replaced the '59 Dynamic, which replaced...

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on 1973 Buick Electra 225, With Bonus 1973 Poll]]> @Tomsk: Same here with my Dad's '71 Delta 88. A W-30 motored Delta, back when you could still special order that sort of stuff. I still remember the '73 Electras when they were new in the showroom. I don't know which car I'm voting for. I still have memories of wandering from dealership to dealership in Fresno, collecting literature and looking at the cars.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Citroen GSX: Brings Out Your Inner French Hoon!]]> @citroen67: Wow. :(

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on What Is Down On The Street?]]> Murilee, this is one of those posts that need a link on the sidebar.

Rican5.0, thanks for sharing :p

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Red, White, And Blue Flames Edition: Austin America Or Rambler American?]]> @NovaloadMissesPolar: Geeze, I'm glad someone'll be able to! :pbpbpbpbpbp

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Red, White, And Blue Flames Edition: Austin America Or Rambler American?]]> From what little I can gather within the last few minutes, bygeorge was right- this is a stripper model. DrLemming nailed it.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Red, White, And Blue Flames Edition: Austin America Or Rambler American?]]> [en.wikipedia.org]

OK- Novaload, you were right- it was 1958 for all states.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Red, White, And Blue Flames Edition: Austin America Or Rambler American?]]> @NovaloadMissesPolar: I don't know for sure where, NMP. I would have thought the same. Its also possible (this is getting pretty arcane) that it was continued for a couple of years as a sort of penny-pinching option, or as part of a trim level. I guess Google is my friend here. I have seen other Ramblers equipped like this in the boneyards out here.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Red, White, And Blue Flames Edition: Austin America Or Rambler American?]]> @bygeorge: Naw- nothing so exciting. Some states still had laws on the books that prohibited quad lamp setups.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Red, White, And Blue Flames Edition: Austin America Or Rambler American?]]> Hydrolast springs F!T!W!

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on ATTENTION: Engines Do Not Need To Run In Reverse To Make Your Car Go In Reverse]]> @BMRFILE: By the way BMRFILE, did you know that stuff is now available as a salve? Yeah- it works a treat. You just rub it on, like Ben Ghey.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on ATTENTION: Engines Do Not Need To Run In Reverse To Make Your Car Go In Reverse]]> Every once in a while I have to charge some poor bastard to recharge the magic smoke for his craptacular electrical system. Usually a one-hogshead can does it, unless he's installed some of the more fanciful equipment like AutoSuck. Then I have to charge by the kilowatt. Finding the charge tap can be a bitch on some of that home-made stuff.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Canada Launches Old Car Retirement Program, Green Hypocrisy Continues]]> Wes, not only is there a problem with the amortization of the costs of a new car vs old car, it would seem it allows the state to set the market value of an old car- for example, that old Taurus that was worth only 450.00 yesterday is now worth 800.00 today.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Prince Charles Converts Aston Martin To Run On Wine]]> @Stoatmaster: Naw- prolly more like Coors Light.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Top Ten Best Car Ads Of The 1970s]]> @LTDScott, Porcubimmer pilot: Dude, that is so messed up. I think we have our COTD :)

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Top Ten Best Car Ads Of The 1970s]]> I'm kinda partial to the Ritmo ad, simply because the end matches up so well with that Mythbusters episode where they drive that Camaro up into the truck at speed. Well, that and the other episode where they take an X1-9 and try to obliterate it between two trucks. But the 'child of the '70s' in me says vote for the Cordoba. I remember those on the lot, new in 1975 in Leavenworth. Gawd, I'm getting old.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on The Facts About California, Washington's Cell Phone Bans]]> I broke down yesterday and bought one of those in-car Bluetooth adaptors just like in the third photo. I have- well, had- a stupid damn earbud stuck in my ear all day at the casino. I really don't want one in my car. 145.00 later, now I too can take the (very) occasional call in my car.

Gawd, I sound like a crappy advert.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on More On The Jetta-Thrashing Truck Tire And Its American Victim]]> Sorry guys- I must have done something on the keyboard to make my submit button to go nuts.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on More On The Jetta-Thrashing Truck Tire And Its American Victim]]> for

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on More On The Jetta-Thrashing Truck Tire And Its American Victim]]> Oh-

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on More On The Jetta-Thrashing Truck Tire And Its American Victim]]> and

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on More On The Jetta-Thrashing Truck Tire And Its American Victim]]> @BMRFILE:

All Camaros are belong on jackstands.

There- fixed that for ya.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Saleen-Modified Th!nk Is The Only Way To Tour Pit Lane]]> Can't possibly be high-performance- there's nothing painted yellow on it.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Citroen GS 1220 Club]]> @Ron-E-Bear: C'mon, Ron. Don't be a dipshit. This isn't a political site, I don't come here to talk politics. I- along with just about everyone else here- comes here because we're car guys and gals. Now if you want to trade car stories or commentary with me, or even attempt to, say, convince me the Toyota Camry is the best thing since sliced bread, go for it. Any political "discussion" here tends to be incidental. Speaking for myself, that's the way I like it.

@citromike: Just what in the hell are you on about?

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Citroen GS 1220 Club]]> Dead serious here- If the owner is looking to sell, I'm looking to buy. I've had two of these, they are fantastic cars. I prefer these over the DS's I've had. Murilee- to answer your question about it's age, I think that's a '74- first series dash with the "flat" center console. Any earlier, and the gear lever sprouts from the front of the console. Later cars up until the GSA had round gauges, and bars for a grille instead of honeycombed grey plastic. The wheels are from a later car.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on When You Go From 44th To 15th Place In Six Hours, You Get A Few Dings]]> Heh- the bumpers seem to have survived relatively well.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Welcome To Oslo, Where Ancient Citroens Roam Free!]]> @Paul Y. is Going Dumb at the Sideshow:Well, I never said we were a sensible lot :) I've known Paul and Rudy at CCA for a long time- they're where I've had things like the accident damage to my GS repaired, and brakes for my Dyane done. They can get the various bits for a Traction, just takes time and a little planning. There are a number of European companies that deal with the 7-11-15, the biggest of them called Depanauto, located in central France. Western Hemispheres is another good source of parts-they're in the Bay Area- and Red Dellinger in PA is yet another source.

Warpig, I didn't say this before, I will now- excellent job. Any openings for slot machine techs in Oslo? Also, you mentioned another one of the machines that make me all warm and fuzzy- NSU RO80. Drop-dead gorgeous car.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Welcome To Oslo, Where Ancient Citroens Roam Free!]]> @Paul Y. is Going Dumb at the Sideshow: Not really. I knew a couple of owners in L.A. who drove them regularly. Parts are available, and they aren't that much harder to drive than anything else of the era. The only things you have to be aware of is the transmission can be a bit on the weak side- you can't just bull your way through the gears, and the drive joints on the 15 can't take a 'hot' standing start. They're also not horribly expensive to buy- 10K will get you a fairly nice Normale or Legere of early '50s vintage.

The really early ones were known as a 7CV.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Upscale BMW Coupe Edition: 1967 2000C or 1984 633CSi?]]> @beercheck: LOL! You say that and I'm thinking "Padres".

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on Aussie Son Crashes Daddy's Ferrari 360CS]]> OK- I'll do it.

"That'll buff right out" Annnnd:

"My dad's a tv repairman. He has this totally awesome set of tools. I can totally fix this." /Spicoli

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, No Blood For Oil Edition: Veggie Oil Peugeot or Hybrid Austin Marina?]]> @UDMan: Exactly. Jeremy Clarkson is gleefully giggling at us like a little school girl as we debate this.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, Franco-Prussian War Rematch Edition: Citroen CX 2000 or Porsche 928?]]> God, I love the early CXs. The cigar-shape body, the croissant dashboard, the inside door handles that resemble a trigger. I appreciate the engineering, I can deal with the problems, I will embrace the idiosycrasies. So naturally, I voted Porsche.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on What's Your Best And Worst Junkyard Find?]]> @MadHungarian:
"Guy quoted me some bizarrely outrageous price and would not dicker. I walked away scratching my head, then I realized my error. I was on my way back from a business meeting. In a suit and tie. Clearly this guy had a "suit and tie price" which was nonnegotiable."

The one good thing about places like Pick Your Part and Ecology- the prices are usually posted and, at least on most items, cheaper than reasonable regardless of what they came from.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on What's Your Best And Worst Junkyard Find?]]> Maxforrest32: Naw- nothing so easy. The manager of the yard had bought it along with another, much later 2CV, with the "intent of restoring one of them". Of course, the stupid fu*k had no idea what he was getting into. He probably thought, in classic PCH style, that he could drop a VW Beetle engine in and all would be well. My 2CV (which, by the way, the museum did deign to tell me that I had given it to them, and I had nothing more to do with it, in any case) was still relatively intact and almost all of the hard to find parts were still on it. Fortunately, it was behind a fence where the usual locusts couldn't just go have a whack at it.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on What's Your Best And Worst Junkyard Find?]]> Thanks, Maxforrest32. You can believe it broke my heart when I saw it at Ecology.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on What's Your Best And Worst Junkyard Find?]]> My worst junkyard find? Top this, suckers- but first, a tiny bit of background. At the time I was rather involved with the-then new San Diego Auto Museum. So much so that I had donated my '63 2CV to them to be sent through their planned restoration as one of the first projects. I donated books, parts, materials for this. I had become friends with the Curator, and we talked about a show of how different countries solved basic transportation needs. Fast forward a few years- economic dictates moved me to LA, but I still went to SD to see my family every couple of months or so. I would also visit the junkyards because of where I worked. Well, I walk into one of the local You-Destroy-Its, and guess what I found. The story I got from the Museum was that needs had changed, and they were auctioning off some "excess stock". I haven't been back to the museum since.

]]> <![CDATA[Hotrodelectric commented on PCH, European Pain Edition: Borgward Hansa Wagon or Peugeot 304?]]> I feel almost vindicated. I mean, I love old French cars- the weirdness on a regular basis, the cost of some parts approaching Libya's GNP, the coolness factor of DeGaulle surviving an assaination attempt by way of hydropneumatics, all of it. But the Hansa was just too damn offbeat to ignore. By the way- yes, I have seen these. You don't have a career in cars without experiencing some of the more, um, esoteric choices a driver had back in the day. I mean, when was the last time you saw a Skoda Estelle convertible- ever?

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