re: #316 Blind Frog Belly White

I had that happen with cars. I idly considered replacing the Challenger with something with 4 doors, like the Chrysler 300. Next thing I know, I’m seeing Car Gurus listings for Chryslers.

One was for a 1964 New Yorker, which looked kinda cool, so I clicked on it. Ended up looking at Chrysler New Yorkers from the mid-1970s. Ginormous things! I think they may have been the zenith of the American Land Yacht. The pictures were amazing - there was one in Burgundy, with matching vinyl top, and red velour upholstery. Looked like a goddam rolling whorehouse! Huge over-stuffed, button-tufted seats, acres of the red velour!

On a whim, I looked up the specs for a 1978 Chrysler New Yorker. Biggest engine was a 440 with a 4 bbl carb. 192 bhp. 10 mpg combined EPA gas mileage (“City” was about 6.8 mpg). Top speed - 105 mph.

5 years into the Oil Shortage Era, and Chrysler was still making them big, slow, and thirsty. At least in 1970 when you got 10 mpg, you had nearly 400 hp!

Anyway, it was a reminder of just how terrible cars used to be, though if I have a lot of money to spare and enough space for a garage, such a car in good condition might be fun to own and drive occasionally…. But I think I’ll stick with watches.

This was my Olds 98, 455, hi-compression, 4bbl, 365 hp, 525 ft.lbs., turnpike cruiser rear ratio. On a 200 mile trip through PA, she used 8 gallons @ 55mph. that’s 24MPG