You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

Second Gen F-Body clay

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

What would be the reason for removing the rear bumper from a dealership floor truck? Was it even possible to order one without a rear bumper?

Absolutely. Back then a rear bumper was an option, and many dealers added their own step bumper with the dealer name and location engraved in the metal.

Very common in the south and west.

K

[m22mike]

When I bought my 74 C 10 Cheby, the only option I paid for was a step bumper



Mike

[1967 4K]

Where I grew up in Ky. most all trucks had the dealer installed heavy steel bumper Keith referred to. Sometimes you’d see the small chrome bumper but not very often.

[PeteLeathersac]

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[Lee Stewart]

By 1968 the muscle car era was in full swing. So why did Olds (and Pontiac) offer a low performance version . . . Olds 442 RPO L65 Turnpike Cruiser. It came with a 400 CI 2 BBL 290 HP regular gas engine. The cost was $236.97 and included the M40 Turbo Automatic which also just happened to cost the same amount. So what Olds was offering really wasn't a bargain unless you drove a whole bunch of miles per week, wanted the "442 Look" and not have to pay for premium gas.

Externally there is no difference between a 442 and the L65 442. Both came with HD suspension, rear sway bar and redline tires along with the signature dual trumpet exhaust. You could substitute either an M21 or M20 for the M40 and probably get a credit of $52 being the difference between the 4 speeds and the M40.

One big difference was the standard rear axle ratio: 2.56. This resulted in approx. 2400 RPM at 60 MPH.

Most options available for the 442 were also available on the Turnpike Cruiser 442 (see below).

Prior to 1968 the Turnpike Cruiser option was limited to the Cutlass. It was moved over to the 442 in 1968. I guess in 1968 style points counted for something.

One final note: The G92 Axle Package available on the 442 (3:42 rear) was not available on the 442 TC. But as a head scratcher, G88 3.91 rear was available. This required you to sub out the M40 for a M21 4 speed. The only mandatory option was V01: HD radiator.

[Lee Stewart]

The Worst Crash In Racing History Compelled A Racing Driver To Invent This Ubiquitous Safety Equipment

You’re probably familiar with the sand filled yellow barrels with black tops that are at many exits and highway barriers. These were invented by an American race car driver named John Fitch. You might recognize that name from the 1955 Le Mans disaster. Fitch was suited up and ready to take over at the next pitstop when his co-driver, Pierre Levegh, lost control and crashed into the crowd. It was the most catastrophic wreck in auto racing, killing 83 spectators and Levegh.

After the crash, Fitch devoted his time to making auto racing, and driving, safer. He wanted a solution that was easy to deploy and didn’t cost much. Inspiration came from the sand-filled oil cans that he used during World War II to attenuate the impact of bullets aimed at his tent. John Fitch was an amazing man: an inventor, engineer, P51 pilot, racing driver, and businessman.

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

Ford Cancels The Bronco Press Preview Event Due To You Know Why

[Lee Stewart]

State Fairs Used To Smash Locomotives Into Each Other For Fun