I guess the principal reason for my writing the review was that the book
perpetuates a lot of popular myths about American automobiles. Your
response beautifully illustrates the ignorance which prevails in the UK.
In fact your contention is precisely the opposite of reality.
Compact cars in the US - which would be deemed large cars in Britain -
burnt no more fuel than comparable LBCs. To say otherwise is to perpetuate
the myth.
US cars of the '60s and '70s were among the most rugged and long-lasting of
any cars ever built anywhere. They were comfortable, good handling with
excellent brakes and required minimal maintenance. They were the most
reliable ever built anywhere. Anyone who believes otherwise is again
perpetuating a myth.
Gaudy styling is in the eye of the beholder but anyone who can enjoy the
look of a Triumph Vitesse, Daimler SP250, Jensen CV8 or most '70s Austins
should certainly reexamine concepts of styling. Even the most inexpensive
US cars had a certain flair and most enjoyed quite pleasing lines. The
compact cars particularly were hardly gaudy.
As to your intimate knowledge of the transportation propensities of pimps,
I am afraid that you have the better of me, as I don't move in that
particular society.
My point is simply that authors who perpetuate misinformation under the
guise of providing an "encyclopedia" are guilty of the most dreadful sort
of laziness and greed.
John McEwen
>There reasons for the lack of interest in Europe concerning US cars is
>simply historic.
>Normal US cars:
>- burnt a lot of gas because fuel has always been, and still is cheap in
>the USA
>- in the 60's and 70's were cheaply built, to last for less than three years
>- don't handle well, due to different requirements
>- have gaudy styling
>etc. etc.
>Since 'normal' US cars were not accepted here, the more sporty ones had no
>basis to grow on.
>
>And above all: here only pimps drove the things, and still no person
>looking for the respect of
>his peers would be seen dead in one. That reminds me, quite a few hearses
>are Chevrolets
>and Caddies. So, that would be pimps and people who don't care about
>anything anymore ....
>
>Peter
>74B + a German Ford
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