So that was what was rattling! It didn’t sound like a heat shield. Mine had a loud rattle that stopped after it warmed up a bit. Since it did, I didn’t bother to have it looked at. Problem solved - 31 years later.

I bought the ‘81 SR-5 version of this same liftback new - in white as well! With the factory louvers and some cut alloys with black insets it looked badass but went nowhere lol. I swore that the engine felt like it came from some base model Kubota tractor. I bought it in San Diego, but drove it back to Long Island 3…

Election fraud is a non-starter. I believe you meant voter suppression.

I’ll never forget the first time a saw the ‘67 Shelby fastback. It was at Ramp Ford in Port Jefferson Station on Long Island. Being a “preferred” dealer, they had a convertible GT350 and fastbacks in both 350 and 500 flavors on hand in the lot. They may have been crude by today’s standard, but they were amazing just…

I hear ya, but there are exceptions. I had a buddy (about 6'3") who was so claustrophobic that, in the dead of a NY winter, he had to roll the window down in his full-sized ‘80s Chevy Blazer to keep from freaking out. I’m sure that a panoramic sunroof would have helped set him at ease.

Well, you said:

Trouble is that it cannot compare with either Rolls or Bentley in any meaningful measure of performance save perhaps ride comfort.

Now that looks like a Toyota.

Thanks for saying this. Rawlings is an ass, but he will say that he’s an ass all the way to the bank. It seems today that there really is no such thing as bad publicity.

As much as I love the Century, the profile seems derivative of the Rolls Phantom/Silver Spirit/Spur.

It’s spark-initialized. Without the spark plug, it doesn’t work, so it’s not compression ignition. It’s spark ignition.

I gotta go along David here. The Ranger or any other affordable small pickup is the only way to go, if only because they’re the perfect backup vehicle. I can’t tell you how many times I wish I had a pickup. If you can get one that runs well for under 2 grand and ain’t a rust bucket, snatch it up!

Many an older aluminumed block have iron sleeves too. Those sleeves often have enough material to bore them once.

I concur. Compared to her dad, she’s a fucking speech writer and orator.

Natalie: “Is it ok to lick my fing...<HAW!>...

Maybe. It’s low-side insurance. And no low-side equals fewer high-sides.

BMW RT (sorry about the caps).

Is that foil hat exact size or one of those one fits all?

OMG, I had completely forgotten about the VW Fox. Why did you have to make me remember it? Why?!

I test drove the 1986 GTI and can assure you that the U.S. build sucked. The paint had severe orange peel and the fit looked more like an ‘81 Fairmont than any German car I can think of. After checking out the CRX Si later, I never looked back.