Made not in USA

Takes about that to change the starter on my 07 Corvette. Just drive it up on ramps and slide under.

 

I love the old push buttons. They came out in the mid 50’s thru 64. The 65s have a column shifter. But still uses a cable. I have a 65, it’s the first year for slip yoke trans, and slip off rear drums. Having the cable set up, it’s a one year only design.Reminds me of my Grandfather being stuck in the ice and snow, trying to get out of the driveway. All the kids were helping push, Grandads cussing, till one of the older kids noticed the parking brake was still set. Lol. He was really mad!! And, I’m sure embarrassed. The Doctor clipped his Driving wings soon after that. He’d still go out a couple times a week, and drive it up and down the driveway. Here’s the bill of sale for the 64 Dodge. $2765.00 I’d like to have the 2 dr 59 Plymouth he traded in, for $300.

 

Well, I guess my example was not all that great. Still, I stand by my point. These newer cars have such tight enclosed areas they are difficult to work on. I remember changing the alternator on my S10. Not easy.

 

My buddy that I spoke about that worked at GM had that same exact truck. Black lifted with those same wheels. Great looking truck.

He wishes he still had it.

 

My Dads 77 Córdoba had a 400 w/ leanburn system. Since new, it never ran right, they even sent it to Highland Park, and supposedly the engineers “ fixed” it. Ran great till summertime. They had the timing advanced so much, it wouldn’t start. Lol. Leanburn was actually the first electronic system, using sensors, to control timing and a bunch of other things. The downfall, was being mounted on the air cleaner, the solder joints would get loose. No one knew how to work on them. My 84 is a converted Leanburn, and when it’s cold, it still has that familiar hard miss. Lean burn was a god idea, but big flop, My Dad got laid off indefinitely in 79, after 10 yrs. of Driving a Truck at Chrysler, traded in the Córdoba for a Volkswagen. Last Chrysler he ever owned, after a lifetime of Mopars. Back then it was “Buy what you build”. The little 81 Schirroco S was nice, but fell apart after about 40k. Blew a head gasket, warped the head. Cars are cars, parts are parts. Always something.

 

Hecho en Mexico has been stamped everywhere on Freightliners for about 30 years even if it was assembled in Mt. Holly. They been coming up the Nafta hwy out of Mexico via Laredo piggybacked in all your favorite mega company colors for a loooooooong time.

 

Made in the USA, Appliances didn't have to be replaced for 40 years, Cars and trucks same way. However there were those who bought a new car every year

 

The rush to Mexico by the US auto makers [my Silverado was Hecho En Mexico] and many electronics and trucking manufacturers was based as much on labor costs as it was on the lack of pollution regulations.

I remember Chevy introducing their first front wheel drive auto in the early 80's and the built an engine manufacturing plant in Tonawanda, NY to build the 2.8L and 3.2L [60 degree] V6 engine. The V was changed from 90 degrees to 60 degrees to help fit it under the hood of a transverse mounted front wheel drive.

When I inherited dad's S-10 [1988 model] the 2.8L engine and the replacement 3.4 crate engine that replaced it were both made in Mexico.

Foundry work, electronics with nasty solvents, auto parts and assembly without the nasty EPA looking over their shoulder Thanks to Billy C and NAFTA.

 

A good friend is on his 4th Prius [leases] and with the Covid-19 stuff and being newly retired, hasn't been driving it much. The other day it wouldn't start. Chipmunks got under the hood and and started chewing.

Insurance is covering the $11,000.00 in damages after a few weeks of fighting but he is still waiting for it to be fixed...That is what happens when you turn the garage into a woodshop.....

 

Those 40 year appliances are still around. Thing is no one wants to spend the money on them, so you have to typically go to a specialty store to get the professional version. It's not economical for the local box store to carry them.
They also tended to not actually last 40 years. What they were, was easy to repair and cheap to repair compared to a new unit.