Hi George,

This really does not illustrate your point, but...

In December 1977, I set out on a clear evening from Illinois for Baltimore in my 2-month-old bought-for-work '78 Chevy Van (250-stick) with two daughters, five months and 18 months, and their mom. Gas was being diluted with alcohol that winter, and I thought, well, isn't that what we put in our tanks to prevent gas line freeze?

Down on rt. 70 somewhere east of Indianapolis, the truck began to starve for fuel. I was able to limp it into a rest stop at about 5 mph. In 12-degree weather, I managed to get loose the fuel filter - about the size of my thumb, and find the black rubber (don't ask me what kind) flap check valve swollen shut. I ripped it off and got the truck running strong again, but when I got back in to drive, found my family had nearly frozen to death. Apparently, working under the hood was warming to me, and I had no clue how much time passed or that I should have sent my family inside the rest stop building. One of the most dangerous things I've ever done.

I've seen some of the proposals to age out cars, in the name of emissions reduction. Fortunately this is mostly under state jurisdiction, where I believe California will serve as the canary in the coal mine for the old car hobby.

Speaking of the original oil patch, have you seen the movie based on Upton Sinclair's Oil! - called There Will Be Blood? What a performance! "I drink your milkshake. I drink it up!" Entertainment.




--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap. - Bob Hope