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1946-1954 American Cars

56 messages,  Last post on Jul 11, 2012 at 11:08 AM

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Messages Page 6 of 6

#47 of 56 Re: Here's another one [isellhondas] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 30, 2012 (7:45 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jun 29, 2012 9:43 pm)
That's a considerably more modern car than a wheezy flathead 6 pushing a pre-war behemoth I think. If you had Powerglide, you had the 235 engine and I think higher highway gearing than the old flatheads.

#48 of 56 Re: Here's another one [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Jun 30, 2012 (9:00 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 30, 2012 7:45 am)
Yeah, all Powerglaide Chevys had a 235 and by 1953, they all had full pressure lubrication. The last of the 216's were the 1952's with sticks.
 
Old pre war Buicks were wonderful highway cruisers too and there were probably others too.
 
I agree, the flathead sixs weren't really made for the freeway.

#49 of 56 Re: Here's another one [isellhondas] by hpmctorque

Jul 10, 2012 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jun 30, 2012 9:00 am)
Beginning in '51 you could equip Plymouths with overdrive. Since I never rode or drove in one, I can't say how they cruised on the highway.

#50 of 56 Re: Here's another one [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 10, 2012 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 10, 2012 2:52 pm)
if you want a 50s domestic car with adequate power and handling for modern roads you are somewhat limited. I would guess that a Hudson Hornet and maybe an Olds coupe would get you by okay. Cads are too freakin' big, Buicks are...well...Buicks...Chevies still old ladies cars....maybe the 49-51 Ford coupe would work out okay..at least it's a V8 and not such a heavy car. Kinda primitive suspension, though. The Mopars haven't quite made it to the good handling stage of the 55s on up.

#51 of 56 Re: Here's another one [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Jul 10, 2012 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 10, 2012 4:18 pm)
A '53 or '54 Dodge with the hemi V8 and overdrive, or a Chrysler Saratoga (hemi in a relatively small body, ala Olds 88) would probably hang in there with the Hornet and the 88, don't you think?

#52 of 56 Re: Here's another one [hpmctorque] by hoosiergrandad

Jul 10, 2012 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 10, 2012 5:07 pm)
When I was 5, my Dad bought a 53 Pontiac Chieftain 2 door with a straight 8 and a stick, about the same color as the 52 Chevy at the beginning of this thread. He kept it until 59, when he traded it in on a new Catalina. I remember him taking it up to 85 a few times. My Grandpa had a 56 Star Chief hardtop, turquoise and white, that seemed like a rocket in comparison. A
"perfect" example of THAT car would sorely tempt me, were it available. I haven't seen one with an original spec interior....

#53 of 56 Re: Here's another one [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 11, 2012 (9:37 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 10, 2012 5:07 pm)
Nah, you'd be in the trees on the first turn I think. The Hudson was a pretty formidable car in its day---hence its great success in early NASCAR.

#54 of 56 Re: Here's another one [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Jul 11, 2012 (11:06 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 11, 2012 9:37 am)
I believe those Hudsons held some kind of a track record for many years.
 
I remember an old timer telling a story about how he was driving his new 1950 Olds 90 MPH one night when he saw headlights behind him. he figured it was a cop and he was about to get nailed so he didn't let off the gas.
 
To his great surprise, he was passed by a Hudson who he guessed had to be doing well over 100 MPH.

#55 of 56 Re: Here's another one [isellhondas] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 11, 2012 (11:08 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jul 11, 2012 11:06 am)
Olds and Hudson competed in NASCAR but the overhead valve V8s finally won out.

Messages Page 6 of 6

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