So you have just watched Two Lane Black Top, or Vanishing
Point, or maybe you have just returned from Santa Pod, or a local car show
and the most impressive thing that sticks in your mind was that American
car. Whether it was the look, the interior or that rumbling big Vee eight
that pulled your strings once the bug bites it can leave the victim in a
certain state of longing. It can also leave you with a problem, "Who do
you know who can give advice?" Granted there are relatively few of these
cars on the road but it is surprising how many may be stored away around
you, out of sight for the most part. And then there is the "If I bought
one would I be able to get the parts?" syndrome. Or, "Will it cost me an
arm and a leg to run the damn thing?". Well, if you are an American Virgin
or even if you own one but still get a little ‘mashed’ by the spectacular
choice out there this article may help you decide if ‘Yanks’ are for
you.
There are modern choices too.
FIRST STEPS.
For all of us there has to be that first moment when you see
or hear that particular car that tips the balance and makes it essential
that you purchase yourself an American car. Let us create a
situation. You go to your local village show and notice there
are some old cars in a paddock, all shiny and nostalgic and then suddenly
one of them fires up, a big Vee Eight which you think sounds
fantastic. You move closer and see what you think is a Corvette.
As you get closer your suspicion is confirmed and the car turns out
to be a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette soft top. You know you want one
from that minute but how much? Where from? And how to know which to buy
and which not to buy? It’s confusing. There are many ways to find
information on these cars but I am quite outspoken on this and feel there
is only one way to get the truth. If you want to hear prejudices on
particular makes then consult the Internet, if you want someone endlessly
droning on about their own car then talk to someone at a show, but if you
want the truth ask someone who has owned many different cars over many
years. We’ll return to your dilema later.
Many and varied styles
The first thing to do is consider these facts.
1. Yes, American cars do generally require loads
of petrol to run them but that is mostly true for the bigger V8’s, if you
start with a Buick Riviera then don’t expect much more than ten to the
gallon (and as low as five if you rev hard) with it’s 7.5 litre engine, but
if you go for a modern Vette or Camaro you may see upwards of 21 to the
gallon. There are not just V8 engines of course, the American market
designed and built some excellent V6’s and first rate in-line six engines
and at least one opposed flat six that I know of. It just tends to be the
V8 that draws people to them. I have owned several American cars that did
more to the gallon than my Vauxhall Omega.
2. There is a thriving parts industry in the UK
for American cars and most of the over-the-water suppliers are more than
happy to send parts out. There are breakers and specialist over here
though so parts are easy to get and can be less expensive than for most UK
and Asian cars.
3. Many American cars suffered from poor build
quality and though this has been addressed more recently it is still the
case that on older tin, the electric's are poor, the interiors leak, and
the metal rots quicker than a dead fish in an acid tank.
4. There is a lot of rubbish out there. Good cars are
expensive and if you are smitten by a particular vehicle then resist the
urge to pursue a cheap one unless you have the money and time to sort it
out. Most of the time you are just buying years of rust and neglect.
5. Lots of owners are dabblers. This isn't to say you
can’t buy an honest car but more and more I find someone took a
shine to a Firebird without knowing what to look for, got it home after
parting with loads of cash, found it was a rot-box, drove it over winter
and then stuffed filler everywhere and sprayed it over with coloured
water. You can see loads of these on ebay. Outlandish speed and bhp
quotes, advising the perspective buyer that it "Sounds awesome and goes
like stink." You can read a great deal about the car from how the
description is worded. Never buy unless you have seen the car in the
'flesh'.
6. These cars are not planet friendly. Yes, it’s true.
Most ‘Yanks’ are not environmentally friendly, if you are read no
further and put your money into a milk float. If you are still reading
then all I can say is I do not try to defend this state of affairs, humans
and not just cars are bad for the planet - when it’s gone it’s gone but
driving a smaller engined car won't help.
7. Most ‘Yanks’ are architectural. That’s to say that
they were designed to look good and not cut through the air. Later ones
did their time in the wind tunnel but some of the older ones took the
tin-benders art to the highest levels on the planet, therefore some of
these cars have rust collecting points built in, and that means you have
to spent time with them. They are not usually high maintenance on the
mechanics but the body work and chassis do need looking after.
The Architectural.
What to Choose?
Well, as mentioned, the electric's can be a problem
particularly on the electronic dashboards so be sure to check for this and
make sure everything works. The chassis on cars that have not been cared
for can be expensive to repair and to be honest this is a problem with
certain models. Look for a car that has no rot and no bubbles in the paint
as there can be lots of problems lurking under a thin veneer of colour.
The paint itself is an issue. If it’s old it is probably cellulose or 2
pack and as modern paints have to be water based any touch up work may
well turn out to be a full re-spray, and these days there are no cheap
shortcuts to this. Replacement panels are much easier to get hold of than
you would think, as are most parts but glass can sometimes be difficult to
source.
The engines are generally good but as with most engines the
quieter the sounds from the block, the better and be aware of masses of
oil leaking from the underneath as this could spell trouble. Gearboxes
whether manual or auto need to be quiet and smooth on operation and drive,
though parts for transmissions and engines are plentiful it is an expense
you can do without.
So many choices.
Which Model?
I would not presume to offer one model above the other, this
is a matter off taste but if it is your first car I would suggest
something that there are plenty of, as spares and information will be
easier to track down. Information is fairly easy to come by on most models
but in my experience owners clubs are not as helpful as they could be and
general American car clubs don’t always have the resources for particular
makes and models. Simply put, don’t be in a rush to find the car, read
everything you can get your hands on and be sure the car you are standing
in front of is the one. Too often the heart can rule the mind.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that cars made of fibreglass
can’t rot, the body shells of Corvettes and the like can crack over years
of use and many have seen some repair. Not only that, the chassis of
Vettes seem to be made of soft fruit.
Go on, treat yourself.
So to return to your dilema, yes, you may
have fallen in love with a Corvette but now you will take advice
and do your homework and whilst reading about one model you may
learn about another. You will then realise that there are
almost as many American Cars out there as there are excuses to buy one,
therefore you may see that the lovely ’76 Vette wasn’t quite right
for you. That is the beauty of the ‘Yanks’, no matter what you are looking
for or whatever your taste, there is probably something that will be
perfect for you. The main thing is, if you really know you want to own
some American metal, be it a sedate 1950’s in-line six sedan or a fire
breathing big block V8, don’t worry, take your time and enjoy, but don’t
blame me if it becomes a passion.
Part II soon.
