AMC-List Digest, Vol 4, Issue 13

[amc-list-request@xxxxxxx]

Send AMC-List mailing list submissions to
	amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
	http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
	amc-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx

You can reach the person managing the list at
	amc-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxx

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of AMC-List digest..."


Today's Topics:

   1. Re: 59 Rambler (markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
   2. Re: Non AMC Power Steering Question (markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
   3. Re: Matador Coupe searches - many now sport shaved ft/rr
      bumpers, look GREAT... (markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
   4. Re: Stuck ignition key. (markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
   5. Matador Bumpers (Mark Price) (Mr. AMC)
   6. Re: 66 Rambler in $2006 Grassroots Motorsports	Challenge??
      (Sandwich Maker)
   7. Re: Matador Bumpers (Mark Price) (markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
   8. P is for cars, and other Ramblings (Michael Bailey)
   9. shipping cost (Nick ALFANO)
  10. P.O.ed and not takin' it any more!!!! (William Renshaw)
  11. Shipping bumpers and abrasive rashes (Mahoney, John)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 5:46:28 -0700
From: markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] 59 Rambler
To: amc-list@xxxxxxx
Cc: russ hathaway <russh97309@xxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <17261576.1146746788500.JavaMail.root@web30>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

I'd check the floors underneath, if things look good I'd open the doors and shove everything out. Then strip it out and pressure wash it. If it has rubber mats they will need to come out as the padding underneath will trap the smell, but they may have saved the floors. I'd scrub it out with one of those powerful citurs cleansers and paint the floors to seal them. Maybe try to have an upholstery place steam the front seat if it is cloth ,but I bet the smell will return form the pads in the seats if they aren't replaced. 
Have fun! Or Roll the windows down and clean it out half A$$ed and sell it quick! It is free!
--
Mark Price
markprice242ATadelphia.net
Morgantown, WV


---- russ hathaway <russh97309@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> Mark; yeah, the urine smell is horrible. I opened the
> door and got hit real hard by the smell. I'm sure the
> wool mabd a nice nest for them over the 40 plus
> winters. Being as it has been in a barn, this is huge
> barn and the Rambler sat forlornly in the corner, the
> basic structure has got to be be sound. It is blue
> inside and white out, the front door panels are real
> nice. Floor mats, no carpeting.
> As for the old Poncho, the PO wants me to broker it so
> I have already contacted a local Goat owner. That old
> boat is solid and would be an excellent start for a resto.....Russ
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
> http://mail.yahoo.com 
> _______________________________________________
> AMC-List mailing list
> AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
> 
> or go to http://www.amc-list.com



------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 5:52:00 -0700
From: markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Non AMC Power Steering Question
To: amc-list@xxxxxxx
Cc: Robert Sliko <robert.sliko@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <3544645.1146747120532.JavaMail.root@web30>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Unless you are positive the pump is not harmed too. I'd ditch it and replace both, consider the lines too. Even if you don't replace everything, make sure you flush it all real good so you don't pump any contaminants into the new rack. IIRC you can get a filter to install in the low pressure line to trap anything the flush may miss.
  Now a days rebuilt pumps and new hoses aren't horrendously expensive, If you can swing it replace it all and start fresh.--
Mark Price
markprice242ATadelphia.net
Morgantown, WV


---- Robert Sliko <robert.sliko@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> Well.......give it a little time and the problem becomes more obvious. 
> Looks like my initial problem with the whining was an indicator for an 
> upcoming problem with the rack.  The original fluid level was fine the first 
> day and was refilled to the right level after changing the fluid and 
> everything worked OK.   But now the rack is leaking out of the right 
> bellows.  Apparently the rack failed on the second day (though now no 
> whining noise as long as the fluid level is right).  Seems the bellows 
> initially contained all the leaking fluid and the foaming was a secondary 
> effect from the lowered fluid level and air entering the rack.
> 
>     Looks like I need a new rack...Thanks to all who responded.
> 
> Bob
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Jennings" <tomj@xxxxxxx>
> To: <amc-list@xxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 2:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Non AMC Power Steering Question
> 
> 
> > On Wed, 2006-05-03 at 03:43, Sandwich Maker wrote:
> >
> >> i keep thinking it must have a crack, loose fitting, bad o-ring or
> >> something, on the suction side of the pump, so that it can pull a
> >> little air into the fluid.  but i'm baffled why it took a day for the
> >> foaming to recur.
> >>
> >> the other time foaming happens is when there's a leak on the pressure
> >> side; when the fluid level gets low enough the pump pulls air from the
> >> reservoir, but this clearly isn't your problem.
> >
> >
> > It could also be simply overfilled; there is a recommended fill
> > proceedure, and overfill is a big mess. The original problem could have
> > been a cracked hose etc sucking in air, but compunded by overfilling.
> > _______________________________________________
> > AMC-List mailing list
> > AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
> >
> > or go to http://www.amc-list.com
> > 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AMC-List mailing list
> AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
> 
> or go to http://www.amc-list.com



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 5:57:58 -0700
From: markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Matador Coupe searches - many now sport shaved
	ft/rr bumpers, look GREAT...
To: amc-list@xxxxxxx
Cc: Jerry Casper <gremlingts@xxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <30959389.1146747478349.JavaMail.root@web30>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

There was a red coupe at Carlisle years back that I saw in person. They look even better first hand without the bumpers then in pictures! IIRC correctly this guy had done a  tube on the rear It was chromed and looped into the original bumper mounting holes. That touch really added something special to the deal!
-
Mark Price
markprice242ATadelphia.net
Morgantown, WV


---- Jerry Casper <gremlingts@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
>  Before my 'puter crashed a few weeks ago (
> permanently, I have a new Dell now ), I was Googling
> and Asking ( Ask.com ) specifically on Image search
> alone, for Matador coupes, and ran across a fair
> number with both the front AND rear bumpers shaved
> off, and I have to say, I DO like the look! I must
> have found 5-6 coupes with the bare look, and it sure
> makes the car look swoopy. Those angular, rectangular
> bumpers don't fit in with the curved lines, once
> removed the body lines just jump out and say Wow, to
> me at least. I will probably do something similar to
> my Coupe, maybe do a VW nerf bar bumper thing to it
> eventually.   
>   So, if any of you decide to go Search I think you'll
> find them pleasing to gaze upon.  I know I do, and I
> didn't like Coupes much until recently. Swoop coupe,
> anyone?
> 
> Jerry 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
> http://mail.yahoo.com 
> _______________________________________________
> AMC-List mailing list
> AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
> 
> or go to http://www.amc-list.com



------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 6:16:08 -0700
From: markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Stuck ignition key.
To: amc-list@xxxxxxx, amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <32679220.1146748568169.JavaMail.root@web30>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Sounds like the electric swith down on the column has siezed. It has a plastic slider in it IIRC. It's an easy to get GM based part on the column shift cars. You just need one for a tilt or non tilt and matching year Nova or such if you have trouple finding one.
 To verify that is the problem. get under the dash and find it mounted on the right side of the column at about the 2 O'clock position. Take the two small nuts out that hold to the column and turn your key. If it goes all the way. It is the switch. Unplug the switch and lift it off the rod. Take it with you to the parts place and get a new one.You will need to adjust the new one when you install it, but it is a fairly easy process.-
Mark Price
markprice242ATadelphia.net
Morgantown, WV


---- Matthew Gracie <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> It's been a particularly nice week in Buffalo so far, so I thought this 
> would be a good time to get my Matador back on the road. One problem, 
> though -- it's been sitting all winter, and the key won't turn all the 
> way in the ignition. I can turn it backwards to ACC, and forwards to the 
> same thing, but it won't turn far enough to start the car.
> 
> I know that it recognizes the key, because the car produces the "key is 
> in the ignition" buzz. Also, the transmission shifts freely. But I just 
> can't move the key that last little turn.
> 
> Anyone have any ideas?
> 
> --Matt
> _______________________________________________
> AMC-List mailing list
> AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
> 
> or go to http://www.amc-list.com



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 10:33:32 -0400
From: AMC74Hornet@xxxxxxxxx (Mr. AMC)
Subject: [AMC-List] Matador Bumpers (Mark Price)
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <2854-445A10BC-2776@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII

Mark did the red coup have the quarter windows closed up and filled?
"Doc"



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 10:48:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] 66 Rambler in $2006 Grassroots Motorsports
	Challenge??
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx, sacranoidclub@xxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <200605041448.k44Em7309778@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

warning - i wouldn't ordinarily have quoted this much, but i'm jumping
into the thread with jason...

" From: farna@xxxxxxx
" 
" Jason is building a 66 American for the $2006 (or it might take until
" 2007) Grassroots Motorsports Challenge
" (http://www.grmotorsports.com/news/category/2006-challenge/). The main
" gist is you can only spend $200x to buy and build the car. The rules
" include a value for donated items, as after the first few years people
" were starting to get donated items that were pricey enough to start to
" skew the competition. The first ting below is the last thing I sent
" him. You have to scroll to the bottom and read up to make sense of the
" thread! 
" 
" ---------------------------
" 
" Just keep me posted. For your car to handle better it really needs
" stiffer springs. American V-8 springs would help, but just a little.
" You might have to spend some money and order a set of front springs
" from www.coilsprings.com. Nearly $200, but a set of 115# per inch
" (constant rate -- the company will twist you a set of equivalent
" progressive rate springs) is what you really need. Those were the
" station wagon and convert. "handling package" springs. Standards are
" 80# per inch, V-8 93#. 68-69 Javelin V-8 springs are 100# -- you might
" be able to find a set of those used, but go for a set of Javelin V-8
" springs from a factory AC car -- they are the 115# springs. Used ones
" will have settled some, but will still be a big improvement over your
" stock springs. 67-69 Ambassador and Rebel V-8 springs 105#, but I'm
" not sure they will fit. I don't know what the outside diameter of the
" springs on the cars are. If the outside diameter is the same they will
" fit. I might be able to find someone with a set of used springs for
" you, will have to check. The sway bar from a Javelin or even a late
" model Hornet or Concord can be fitted relatively easy. You'll also want
" to start looking for a 79-83 Concord or Spirit for the front disc
" brakes. You need everything that comes off when you take the four bolts
" holding the spindle on out. 

according to my old catalog, espo.com has front coils for $60/pr.
stock 6 are 80# but hd are 100#.  they also have 5-leaf hd rears [100#]
for $200.  i have hd all around on my '68 american along with kyb gas
shocks, and the ride is -stiff-.  [just checked their website -
apparently they don't have leafs anymore]

the big-car springs won't fit; they're completely different in
diameter and length.

through most of the '70s and '80s many amcs had 14x6" steel wheels;
some lack hubcap knobs and a few take smaller caps, but most accept
your rambler dogdishes just fine [think stealth] and you can run
205/70s.  they won't clear the front drums without a thin [1/8"]
spacer behind the wheel though.

if you drive the car much you'll quickly get tired of that t-96
'crashbox' first gear.  if your car is a 232 all you need is a '68-'70
232 american or javelin t-14 tranny and driveshaft; they'll bolt right
in.  if you have a 199 you'll need to replace the 'big nut' rear as
well, with a '65-9 232 or '67-9 199 american rear.  t-14s were used up
to '76; with provisos they can be used too.  stop and go is a lot more
pleasant with a synchro 1st!

probably a budget blower, but if you have wrenching and scrounging
skills, a 4.0 and tranny from a 2wd jeep can be transplanted with very
little hacking - it fits the original motor mounts for instance.
there are a number of subsidiary points but i'll leave it alone for
now.

btw based on spring capacities, the american 6 carries about 200lb
less on the front end than the v8.  that's good for handling!

" --
" Frank Swygert
" 
"  -------------- Original message ----------------------
" From: "J. w." <sacranoidclub@xxxxxxxxx>
" > thanks for getting back to me about the zine. i am
" > keeping the str 6. it is the smaller car, the
" > american.
" > i will be getting the time next week to read
" > everything and try to get you some pics of the car.
" > i had no time this week to get much done. i will see
" > you laters.\
" > jason
" > 
" > --- farna@xxxxxxx wrote:
" > 
" > > That's very interesting Jason! In fact, I hope you
" > > keep me posted about your progress, and can send a
" > > few digital pics when you get the car and as you go
" > > along. I'll print them in AIM. Maybe I can come up
" > > with a sponsor sticker for AIM.... ;> 
" > > 
" > > []
" > > 
" > > --
" > > Frank Swygert
" > > 
" > >  -------------- Original message ----------------------
" > > From: "J. w." <sacranoidclub@xxxxxxxxx>
" > > > i was going though car crafts message board about the
" > > > rmabler build up and seen you post about doing some
" > > > tips on getting some suspion work done for handleing.
" > > > 
" > > > the reason i am writing is that i am buying a 66
" > > > rambler this week and i am going to be using some of
" > > > car crafts ideas and other stuff to do some work on
" > > > mine. i really am looking for ideas on supsion work
" > > > since i want to use mine for autocross and the new
" > > > sport of drifting.
" > > > the car is a 66 4door, str 6, 3 on the tree.
" > > > manual drums, no power stering.
" > > > and is very good shape.
" > > > the other reson i am getting this is for grassroots
" > > > motorsports magazine's anually $200x challange.
" > > > buy, build, and race a car for what the current year
" > > > is. this year will be $2006 bucks to spend. the events
" > > > are drag racing, autocross, and concorse judgeing.
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen
adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                       and think what none thought


------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 8:31:06 -0700
From: markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Matador Bumpers (Mark Price)
To: amc-list@xxxxxxx
Cc: "Mr. AMC" <AMC74Hornet@xxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:
	<8407906.1146756666378.JavaMail.root@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

It might have, it's been a while. --
Mark Price
markprice242ATadelphia.net
Morgantown, WV


---- "Mr. AMC" <AMC74Hornet@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> Mark did the red coup have the quarter windows closed up and filled?
> "Doc"
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AMC-List mailing list
> AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
> 
> or go to http://www.amc-list.com



------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 08:46:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Bailey <route66rambler@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] P is for cars, and other Ramblings
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <20060504154634.89966.qmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1






On May 2, John Mahoney wrote:

(extract)
Props! ...to TOCM Mike for helping more people see the way to share the documentation of yesterday's AMC...

-------> Well, I WISH I could claim credit for The Old Car Manual Project, but this most awesome of documentation sites is actually run by an individual with the handle of Doc Rusty.  So far, I haven't seen my copy of the '69 Family Album show up there, but Rusty just sent an e-mail assuring me that it would be on the front page of The Old Car Manual Project at:

http://www.tocmp.com

whenever it does come online.  All 148 pages of Amazingly Munchable Candy have been scanned at 300 dpi and shipped. These have been compressed to about 1.5 megabytes each. It should be understood that the person who donated this book to the Museum Archives paid around 90 bucks for it, and in its particular condition, this was a steal. But anyone who does much scanning knows that this priceless treasure was destroyed in the process of sharing an extremely rare piece of documentation with the larger AMC community. There were probably less than 1500 copies printed of this book. At least have a ook at it. The AMCyclopedia,






http://www.amcyclopedia.org






has all of the pages at around 1200x950 (100Kb) and they are up for display HERE:






http://www.amcyclopedia.org/1969FamilyAlbum/

This AMCyclopedia thing is one resource that everyone who gives a flying rat's ass about American Motors Corporation NEEDS TO SUPPORT.  This is YOUR community informational resource, and it is a community-supported project, like a Wikipedia exclusively for AMC. This means if you spot a gap or error in the information presented, you, YES, YOU can contribute the necessary information yourself to correct the situation.  Do it. Then we don't always have to cover the same power steering / trans swap questions over and over.  Also, search the archives here on the AMC-List, and you are liable to find that most any questions you are pondering have already been answered.  Eddie Stakes has a Judging Guide for American Motors restorers over on Planet Houston AMX. This will let you walk around your project and check it directly one item at a time:

http://www.planethoustonamx.com

 For whoever might actually be interested, there is a link to the 1969 American Motors Family Album on the Route 66 Rambler Report(formerly Birthday Card for the Gremlin)

http://geocities.com/route66rambler

 This link will take you directly to the Family Album, which I placed in a Photobucket.com photo album. Currently, about the first 75 pages are up, While you are there, look around the Photobucket album I am working on, sort of a virtual museum and library, where I plan on posting ads, car pics, and other useful documents from around the Web and that I have scanned, with info from 1845 and onwards as far as I can fit it before they shut it off.  Such is the life of free web space.  If you see something you like, get it while you can.  These free places come and go like a hunnert daller Chevy, and there's no guarantee that they will leave me running for any length of time.
 That's part of the website game when operating on Rambler Mentality instead of Filthy Lucre.
 mike



		
---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.  Great rates starting at 1&cent;/min.

------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 11:46:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: Nick ALFANO <71amx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] shipping cost
To: amc list <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <20060504184636.13034.qmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Bill,

It sounds like you may have exceeded their standard
girth rate and they are applying an oversize package
fee which can add a lot to the cost.  Consider
breaking it down into two packages or fitting them in
a smaller box.  Most shipping companies like UPS,
FedEx, DHL and USPS have size requirements for normal
pricing and then start charging high handling fees for
items over that size.

Nick Alfano
Alfano Performance
Kenosha, WI. 53142
262-942-8271 after 6pm central and weekends
262-308-1302  


------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 04 May 2006 13:34:43 -0700
From: "William Renshaw" <lionwren@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] P.O.ed and not takin' it any more!!!!
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <BAY105-F34E8C0399A0BC5CEB478B0C5B40@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

This isnt really AMC related but since I like to work on my own stuff and I 
usually do, except in dire circumstances. When there is somthing that I dont 
have the tool for or somthing of that nature. Like when I was on the road 
all the stinkin' time and didnt have the time to do the stuff myself. I have 
found out that these SO CALLED service places that do tires and brakes and 
front end alignments are as CROOKED AS A DOGS HIND LEG!! My daily driver 
needed a front brake job about 2 years ago. I was on the road drivin' big 
truck and didnt have the time to do it myself. SO! I took it to a place that 
I THOUGHT could be trusted. And I have had the car back into them 2 
different times for warrenty work. The first time they were SAPPOSED to put 
premium pads and premium rotors. COME TO FIND OUT...it wasnt so. Less then a 
year later the rotors warped and the pads where shot because of the cheap 
rotors that they put on. SO! They turned the one rotor and replaced the 
pads. 2 months down the road....same problem. WARPED ROTORS! I finally got 
some answers from them and come to find out they put preimum pads with cheap 
rotors and of course they charged me for the premium rotors!   &$#@ers!! 
Being the nice guy that I TRY TO BE, I purchased some nice high performance 
rotors myself and made them put new pads and the rotors that I had 
purchased. Drilled and slotted rotors cost me 110 bucks apiece. This was 
less then 5 months ago and THOSE DUMB   &*%^$#&%$#*&ER'S put the rotors on 
BACKWARDS!! They have a direction of rotation that they are sapposed to go 
on and now ONCE AGAIN they are shot! 220 bucks right down the drain!! If 
someone would of read the DIRECTIONS that CAME WITH THE ROTORS, I would NOT 
have this problem. I called the head office and got the biggest bunch of 
CRAP I ever heard of! Since I purchased my own parts (even though some dummy 
put them on backwards!) there is no warrenty on the rotors! The rotors are 
BAER DECELA and WHERE a good product. I guess I could have them turned, but 
I shouldnt have to! I guess THEY dont cover thier own STUPIDITY! or thier 
own LABOR! Sorry to vent but I had to get this out. They are lucky I am a 
nice guy and dont throw em' through their nice plate glass window! I guess 
you cant trust anyone when it comes to parts and labor. IF YA WANT SOMETHING 
DONE RIGHT......DO IT YOURSELF! End of story....I am outta here! Thanks for 
listening!
Bill Renshaw Lewiston Idaho
AKA Brother B.
AMC'S RULE.....the rest just drool like the dogs they are.
1973 Gremlin X "clone" (project)
1970 Original Hornet "plain jane"
1974 Matador Coupe "Parts car"




------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 17:19:46 -0400
From: "Mahoney, John" <jmahoney@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] Shipping bumpers and abrasive rashes
To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:
	<E8DF38ACFC17F94998DE284C5CE4582A462BE4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

If you read (or read of...) this best-seller,

http://eatsshootsandleaves.com/ESLquiz.html

you saw a joke coming.  If you didn't, look harder.  Don't look dumb.

"Shipping, bumpers, and 'abrasive' Nashes" are today's actual topics. 

Little things really do count.

>>
The endura bumper I shipped took a pounding, you could see it on the
wrapping, they are also nearly impervious to damage so it was no big
deal.
<<

Gee, to think back to 1968, when "to put the squeeze" on a car lover meant to pinch his Pontiac on the nose, not to punch his Hornet in the grille.

http://ultimategto.com/1968/68h_00176_1.jpg

>>
I saw a Matador coup in the readers rides under construction a few years
back in some magazine, I can't remember which one. Anyhow the owner had
used a pair of late 60's early 70's Corvette rear bumpers on the rear of
his car. I don't remember what he used on the front it may have been
rear Corvette ones too. The Corvette ones on the back looked nice. Those
massive bumpers did nothing for the looks of the car.
<<

Mmm, to apostrophe, to comma, or coup the coupe shorter than the sedan?  To car lovers in 2006, that may mean to pinch out of or to punch up on punctuation.

In 1968, one could pay $25 for the "Endura Delete" option (one couldn't delete the "Sercon" plug-in diagnostic test system --- remember when GM was a world leader in smart technology?), but in 2006, one doesn't even need to pay to look smart, thanks to technology.  Just type in a "Word" and then stop at the red lights to delete (or add options) as diagnosed.  One will "Get TO" endure gratitude instead of brake dust on one's nose.

In the aggressive age of 2006, not doing so could be embarrassing.  In the asbestos age of 1968, not doing so would be lethal.  In either age, looking dumb is dumber than taking a minute to test things out and look smart.       

And not looking for the AMC content is dumbest of all, so it's time to remember that the Pacer, the Matador coupe, and the [Spirit-based] AMX Turbo all were wanting for flexible faces --- had AMC been able to pay the freight.

Pacer probably came closest to actually getting plastic bumpers: the decision to substitute steel came quite late in development.  AFAIK, '74-up Matador was to receive a new "integrated" fascia for its first (~'78) facelift (designs abandoned when rush re-do requested for '77 put the bumper money on hood, grille, and headlights; naught, of course, was ultimately funded, with only the opera window and trim changes made), but AMX would have received much plastic, from grille (non-grille, if the "Euro" look had been adopted) and front fascia to full lower-body cladding and an extensive "smoothing" of the rear.  One proposal was quite evocative of '68-'69 (wraparounds), one of '70 (caps), one was Pontiac show car (Banshee III), and one was prescient of Mustang SVO and GT, as if done by English and German Ford studios.

The Spirit front posed such a problem (too tall) that serious thought was given to clever cut-and-patch ways to graft on a longer one-piece nose that would have looked OK from the front and front three-quarter but would've looked "funny" (funny car?) in side profile, even if the lower rear end had been lowered and "padded" (J Lo?) by a few inches, and the upper trailing mass had been "added" by use of a double aero wing (which, to maintain visibility and liftback operation, would've looked substantial from the side but blade-like from the rear --- so thin, in fact, that if the narrow (neon or LED) HCMSL could not be budgeted, the light would've been at top of the gate (outside edge was too narrow: inside under-glass unit required rerouting of heat wires) or, since the liftgate's squared-off lower lip was also narrow, -on- the bottom edge.  No one liked either option.

Single wing spoilers (two of which had no triangles tacked onto fender edges) offered different problems.  One had a row of tiny incandescent bulbs, but was expensive to produce and difficult to re-lamp; one had a "hang-down" unit that would have looked quite inelegant, and one would have looked like the Donohue ducktail with a lighted rectangle where the keyhole should've been.  It would not have solved the access complaints, it obscured too much glass, and made the upper rear look more massive than was considered optimal for the overhang.  (It also had gasket issues, I recall...)

To make this all the more vexing, one of the designers (no name, please) wanted to see a -round- CHMSL (to recall and reinforce the AMX identity) that would have demanded "sculpting" the thickest single-wing spoiler, or "sinking" a circle into an already too-tall ducktail, or even one "stand-up" design that would instead have circled back to recall and reinforce more of a 1950s-1960s -Chrysler- identity.  AMC owners should know why.  

http://tinyurl.com/k6m9h

http://tinyurl.com/zs7d8

http://tinyurl.com/jk2bm

Here's lookin' at ya, kid!

http://tinyurl.com/zqkoz

AFA blade bumpers cut to a coupe Matador, they would have looked ideal, but were never even considered.  Of course, back then, such a design -couldn't- be.

American car lovers should know how over a thousand Camaros had to be destroyed when American autoworkers struck so long that those '72 cars could not be sold.  (GM thought about pulling the plug on the F-body right then and there...) and Matador maniacs should know what AMC borrowed from that blade-bumper Camaro and the Italian GTs -it- had borrowed from.

It shouldn't require painting or posting a picture to see auto history.

And AMC (and all car) lovers should know that, along with the "dumbing down" of America, our bumper standards are not what they once had been.   

Here's to readin', writin', and 'rithmetic.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/regrev/evaluate/807072.html

>>Well, I WISH I could claim credit for The Old Car Manual Project

Mike, I knew that you only -added- to TOCM's online treasure trove; I did, however, post a note (I don't say or do anything without reason) because TOCM is exactly the sort of -sharing- I've been yammering for.

If AMC people can't (they certainly haven't over the past decade...) do that, then AMC people must join with other car people who are doing something good.

If I had unlimited opportunity, I'd have every piece of published auto paper I own scanned for such a worthwhile free service, from the earliest (1902?) to the latest (2006, 2007, or whatever model year I stop acquiring...) and, when every designer is dead (unless, by then, the heirs of every designer have taken a leaf from certain [no names, please] independent legatees and they become more protective [read profiteering] of that work than were those who put a pencil to paper), I'd have the "one-off" design dreams scanned.  They'd be much better looked at than read about.

I'd hope serious car lovers could make something better of it someday.

Assuming old car lover are still able to read, write, and learn, then.   

Once again, I'm out of time, so once again, I won't post on Nash-Ajax.

I don't mean to be abrasive [get it now?]: I'm just ready to ship out.

For now, put your AMC skill to use unraveling this mystery: what was the 1974 AMC connection to a 2006 Wisconsin vehicle that is built -for- AMC?

If you say "AMG" without thinking, you'll be sanded, er, -stranded- on the deck of the wrong bumper car, er, -ship-.  Nash, er, -knash- your teeth, tear your wool, er, -hair-, and grill your colleagues.  Think of yesterday, today, tomorrow.  Lean back; think for a spell.  Think about spelling, for spelling well is swell.

If all good things do come to an end; bad things eventually end also.



------------------------------

_______________________________________________
AMC-List mailing list
AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list


End of AMC-List Digest, Vol 4, Issue 13
***************************************