" Emotional Traditions"

 

Well here we are at the crossroads of another model year.  The new cars & trucks have been heralded in with factory Fanfare for months now.  I’m old enough to remember back to a time when the much-anticipated new vehicle offerings were shrouded in secrecy and media hype.   You could predict it like the seasons.  These vehicles were always introduced in the late fall.  Starting with a TV blitz, the media campaign for the new cars and trucks would show quick, unrevealing glimpses of the hot new products flashing by or somehow diffused so there was just enough of a visual to wet your appetite and create the desire to see more.  Specific introduction dates were announced, to allow you to make plans to visit the local dealership on the big day. 

Then at dealer showrooms across the country, usually very close to the “Unveiling Date”, new cars & trucks were arriving by car carrier.  They were covered, hidden, or disguised.  Then the new models were secretly placed in the showrooms the night before.  They were covered up so as not to reveal anything more than a slight hint of then newest shapes, colors, and sizes. 

Actually, this might sound mindless in today’s consumer conscious marketing climate, but in my humble opinion, it was fun and exciting.  Since I grew up in an environment where the purchase of a new car was something only “wealthy” people could enjoy, it was all the more like some kind of fantasy or mystique.  I have always loved cars & trucks, building plastic and metal models before the age of 10, and reading everything automotive that I could get my hands on.

I can also remember tracking the dates so that I could be sure not to miss the evening when the TV commercials would reveal all!  What a thrill to see the first images of the 1957 Plymouth Fury!  It had great fins, a headlight treatment that included the smaller parking / turn signal lights right there next to the headlights, all in an aluminum surround.  That shiny aluminum surround led off into the spears of chrome fender trim that stretched the entire length of the vehicle, and ran up to cap off the tops of those great fins. 

Little did we know that this headlight / park light grouping was a precursor to the 1958 model year.  Yes, for those of you who are young enough to have missed it, the 1958 model year introduced the 4-headlamp system.

Most all pre 1958 vehicles had just two headlights, one per side.  So the designers were just teasing us with the layout on the 1957 Chrysler products.  The 1958 model year ushered in the four-headlamp system on just about every domestic manufacturer.  Take a look at the 1957 Chevy’s or Fords.  Single headlamps with no clue of adding more.  The front fenders were just shaped to house one light.  Then look at the 1958 models.  All had flatter hoods with wider fenders accepting the new four-lamp system.

It seems like those days sort of faded away slowly as new model introductions were clouded with those half-year things like the 1964 1/2 Mustang Introduction in the summer of 1964.  Sure Ford Motor Company made history, but it also robbed me of the usual excitement and anticipation of the fall season’s unveiling of those secret and coveted new models. 

As you know, Mustangs were phenomenally successful right out of the gate.  No wonder!  The only domestic sporty car was the Chevrolet Corvette.  Corvettes were expensive, had limited production, and were out of the average person’s financial reach.   The Thunderbird had already transitioned from a sporty two seater to a massive land yacht built on a Lincoln chassis with a monstrous V8 engine and seats for 4.  

Mustang came along as an affordable sporty car, and the timing could not have been better for Ford.  The interesting facts are that even though it was all new sheet metal, most of its driveline and suspension was derived (if not the same as) from the econo-box Ford Falcon introduced in 1960.  Yes, sad to say, I was also present for that unveiling!  Keep the age jokes to yourself.  I probably can’t hear well enough anyway. 

Detroit’s marketing managers teamed up with TV ad agencies to create all this hype, anticipation, and fun.  Bringing home a new car or truck was a big deal!  The neighbors would all come out to see and touch, as well as congratulate the lucky owner.  There was even a tradition of throwing new pennies on the floor mats for good luck.  Tell me when the last time you experienced that! 

Today there are over 1000 new models offered for sale in the United States.  Who needs that many choices?  Whatever happened to the secrecy and excitement of the new models?  Today, enthusiasts publications can show you “Spy Pictures” of a new model to be introduced in three years.  I don’t need that,

This history lesson or minutia of automotive trivia was sparked by my anticipation of seeing the 2002 Ram’s new body style up close and personal.  I had already been an unwilling victim of seeing a magazine shot of the new Ram, but I was still making plans for my trip to the dealership for the unveiling of the all-new truck.  But I would not have it my way. 

On a trip to a Street Rod Show in Evansville Indiana last September, there was a sampling of new vehicles on display from the local Dodge / Chrysler dealer.  As Diana and I were enjoying a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Ohio River, there it was, the all-new Ram.  I wasn’t ready for this!  This is not how I had planned it in (what’s left of) my mind.  How could someone rob me of the joy of anxiety and anticipation of going to see the new models on my terms, and in the surroundings of my choice?  No, This dealer stole another little shred of tradition that I have held onto for years.  How unfair!   

Then I find out that this new design is for the sissy trucks only!  No 2500 or 3500 Cummins Rams with the new body styling.  What a rip!  Maybe I’ll just keep my old friend and trusty sidekick “Midnite” for another few years.  After all she has new shoes, a decent complexion, and just received a new clutch, flywheel, and a transmission cooler for her New Venture 4500 5 Speed gearbox.

Nice segue Huh?  Let’s talk clutches here for a minute.  I replaced the clutch in “Midnite” about 65,000 miles ago.  I installed it myself, using all factory or OE components.  One fine October day, Diana and I were driving Midnite to Charlotte, N.C. from our home in Georgia when Midnite suddenly refused to disengage the clutch. 

There we were in Atlanta’s thick traffic, northbound on I-85 when I almost ran into the guy in front of me.  Try stopping an 8000-pound pick up with a “B” series Cummins clanking away under the hood when the clutch won’t disengage!  I hopped out to give it the once over.  The clutch hydraulics worked fine, there were no leaks, and the fork moved well.  Bingo, a seized pilot bearing,

Until this happened to me, I was unaware of the failure rate of that tiny little needle roller bearing.  The boys at Standard Transmission in Fort Worth Texas confirmed the high incidence of these failures, and recommended the installation of an Oilite Bronze bushing in its place.  I also checked with Kenny and the guys at Southern Precision Gear in Smyrna Georgia, and they had the same story, but also offered a “Kevlar” bushing. 

Southern Gear is also a great source of remanufactured transmissions.  They have just about everything in stock including the New Venture 4500, the big ZF for the Ford Power stroke, and everything in between.  I ordered a Kevlar Faced clutch and the Bronze bushing.  I installed a new flywheel from Cummins, a new Clutch, the oilite bushing, and a new clutch release bearing assembly.  Luckily the input shaft on the front of the transmission was fine. 

Now Midnite is running great again.  I will get more detailed with some pictures and a report on the “Fast Cooler” transmission coolers as the results are tallied.  Meanwhile, lets be patient and see how the guys from Dodge do when it comes to the  “ALL NEW”  “RAM”.  Happy Motoring!  SM