![]() 08/23/2018 at 14:16 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
For the recent French national now living in Detroit who asked, “W hat car should I buy?”, here is your answer.
Yes, I know, Lexington, KY. But its rust free, a V-8 and American as you can possibly get.
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![]() 08/23/2018 at 14:26 |
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V8, BOF, comfortable, enormous “trunk”, pretty good visibility, not too hard to park, and still cheaper gas costs than an ordinary car in France... you’re probably right.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 14:38 |
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I was very close to saying exactly this. A duo-tone hardtop Jeep with snorkel and a few other goodies was too hard to resist. If for no other reason than to ping DT on the off chance he decides to tackle a, whatever holiday/gathering is six months off from Easter, running project.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 14:47 |
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and still cheaper gas costs than an ordinary car in France
Might be close, but I doubt that truck is cheaper in fuel costs per distance.
Let’s say an average car in France is a Peugeot 308 diesel. Average fuel consumption (real world) 5.6L/100 km diesel (42 mpg US, source ). Diesel: €1.45 a liter. So one km costs 5.6/100*1.45= €0.0812 in fuel. That’s $0.151 a mile.
US, average price per gallon is $2.54. To reach a cost of $0.151 a mile the truck would have to do 2.54/0.151= 16.8 miles per gallon (US). Average, real world conditions. Does it? I guess you’d have to hypermile.
Sorry, I felt a bit pedantic.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 14:52 |
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Your pedantry is appreciated. I think the broader point is probably as strong without hyperbole, accidental or otherwise - that the costs would not seem outrageous. As well, there are plenty of “ordinary cars” that would do worse as well as better.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 15:19 |
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That’s a nice specimen, but too bad about the 305 engine...
![]() 08/23/2018 at 15:20 |
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This is Murica. We don’t worry about that stuff.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 15:29 |
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1976 Cadillac Eldorado Bicentennial Edition. That’s what your boy needs.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 15:32 |
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That one is clean enough, that I could accept a 305. These are mostly very rusty and crusty around here these days. Heck, even many GMT-800's are completely missing their rocker panels. Especially the extended cab models. I saw a blue Silverado SS yesterday, completely devoid of rocker panels.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 15:48 |
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Needs the Boss Hogg steer horns though.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 16:14 |
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I approve this!
![]() 08/23/2018 at 16:25 |
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Came here to post this. Glad someone beat my to it.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 19:56 |
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LT1 swap. But smog...
![]() 08/23/2018 at 19:57 |
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That might be a ‘75 though.
I think I might look for a set of those Eldorado hub caps for Rusty.
![]() 08/23/2018 at 23:25 |
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I’d so a 5.3 LS truck engine swap . Some of the LT-1 specific parts are getting hard to find. They only made them for five years after all. Luckily in Illinois, I wouldn’t have to worry about smog, as long as it’s an OB D1 truck. Illinois only tests OBD2 vehicles anymore.
![]() 08/24/2018 at 00:03 |
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I chose LT-1 because of the period. Your idea sounds better.
![]() 08/24/2018 at 07:01 |
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Fair enough. The LT-1 certainly has its merits. It will bolt in a tad easier, as you’d more or less be swapping one SBC for another. I think the 5.3 swap would be worth the extra trouble for the more modern motor, with much better parts availability.
Better yet, a 6-liter swap.