|
Off The Fence - Restored old cars superior to new cars in many ways
Susan Thompson
for Smoky River Express
I’m not very mechanical and I’ve never been what you’d call a gear head, but there’s something about old cars.
Some good friends have been out to our place lately, taking advantage of my husband’s shop and the many hours he spent under the hoods of cars with his Dad the airplane mechanic to get a couple of 60’s era Fords up and running. They’re both Galaxy 500’s, one from about 1963 and one from 1968.
I’m more than happy to hang out and watch. I love the look and the lines of the cars. They had curves and a real style you don’t see today.
And then there’s the rumble of those big old engines. Impressive, to say the least.
But what I like most of all is that you can actually get in and figure out those old engines, if you have some practical knowledge, some time, and a willingness to to try and figure out what’s wrong.
Cars these days aren’t built to be fixed by their own drivers. It annoys me no end when my car shows me the engine light, for example. What does it mean? It’s impossible to know. Something’s wrong. But what, exactly? Only the mechanic can hook your car up and diagnose it, with an extremely pricey piece of equipment too, because it’s all computer directed.
I’m not exactly a Luddite, and I understand computers are part of our modern lives. But it still feels like a racket. If you don’t have the expensive equipment, you can’t figure out what’s wrong. It means more money for mechanics and dealers, and that money comes out of our pockets. We’re not, apparently, supposed to fix anything ourselves anymore.
It might be OK if you got good service at least. I don’t know about you, but I think the last few years have been a service nightmare.
I swear most of the people working on my car have had less experience fixing cars than I do. Yet, you don’t generally have much choice if you want your car to keep running. Even if a problem is fixed, old codes on your car that tell it it’s still broken will prevent it from running properly until someone clears them out, as I found out last time I hit the ditch in winter.
Older cars are different. With a good basic knowledge of mechanics you can troubleshoot and find problems yourself. You don’t need to clear out some computer code or other to make it run. You don’t need expensive diagnostic equipment. You just need some parts and some elbow grease.
Not only do you develop more skill and get to know your own vehicle better, but there’s definitely a sense of accomplishment in fixing something yourself.
I realize older cars are pigs on gas and bad for the environment as a result. But brand-new Hummers and SUVs are just as bad if not worse.
I also think there’s something to be said for real steel in a car body. Crumple zones are supposed to protect us, and it may not be great to crash into another car with a steel car body of your own, but I’d still rather hit a moose with some steel in front of me.
Plus, again, steel can be welded and ground at home, but unless you own a plastic welder, it’s a lot harder to do any body work yourself on a new car.
Anyway, it’s pretty fun.
So I might just be inspired to start picking up a wrench myself.
< Previous
Home
Next >
|
