![]() ![]() Eliyahu Surely there's not a missing panelist on Fox and Friends?.There's still fun to be had behind the wheel. Those of us who remember those old ways will have to get used to it. The car should do all that FOR you."For various reasons, the methods of engagement of man and machine have been replaced by automation. I told my grandson how I'd cold start an early 1960s carbureted engine: put the key in the ignition, floor the accelerator to set the automatic choke and lift your foot halfway, then turn the key until the engine starts, then take your foot off the accelerator and let the car drop to idle for a minute until the oil and coolant are flowing, then put it in gear. Most drivers won't miss the manual shift, preferring to just get in, start the engine, and drive. Drivers didn't miss that, or the Model-T spark adjustment either. Lorenzo Manuals used to have fuel savings, better acceleration, and the fun-factor to commend them, but with ECUs in control of automatic transmissions for optimal performance, fuel economy, and emissions, the manual shift will just go the way of the manual choke.The trend toward less outside trim pieces which many times covered up panel gaps and more effort for tighter tolerances on fit and finish have helped reduce panel gaps. Late model Ford Explorers have had issues with chrome trim around the windshields coming off. Reducing the amount of trim around windows especially windshields and trim around door panels. American manufacturers are much better at fit and finish and don't have as many panel gaps as they did. Lexus set a standard that everyone had to aspire to. ![]() In the 80s there were improvements by the American manufacturers but they were still not there compared to the Japanese and Germans. Not having vinyl tops and less outside window trim has eliminated many of the gaps on roofs and around windows. Also vinyl landau tops and vinyl tops with trim would also be misaligned and the trim would come off causing water to get under the metal of the vinyl top then rusting. Fords had some of their worst panel gaps from 73 thru 78 and Chryslers had their worst panel gaps from 71 thru 79. Jeff S The worst panel gaps overall were in 70s American cars especially GM full size cars from 71-76 and Intermediates from 73 -77. ![]()
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