In a message dated 30-Jul-99 13:46:28 Eastern Daylight Time,
ryoung@navcomtech.com writes:
> OD never was as popular in the US as the UK. Even
> the US cars that offered it as an option are almost never found with it,
> and most didn't offer it, due to the mass dis-interest. Probably
something
> to do with petrol prices (OD got a lot more common after our 'gas crisis'
> back in '74). Of course, OD on LBCs also added a lot of complexity to
cars
> that were unreliable to begin with.
I'll tell you why I didn't order it in '64. Almost all cars then had "three
on the tree" -- since the TR4 had a 4 speed transmission why pay extra (less
than a hundred bucks, if I remember, but that was about a third of a month's
salary then) for a fifth speed? Four speeds was considered a "hot" item. I
did order radial tires, wire wheels, sun visors, a heater and a tonneau cover
--all options -- then I ran out of money so couldn't order every option. OD
was less important then than those others.
I'm sure I was not the only one who reasoned it that way. I never thought I
'd still have the car 35 years later. Now wish I had ordered OD. Cheers.
Art Kelly
|