Good morning!!!!

[toppop52]

Yep, cleaned an STS's clock, twice, on the way home from work one night back when I had a little BMW V8, and that thing wasn't exactly a dragster, either.:laughing:



From what I can gather, the Diesel that was available in the Synchro (and what I have is a Synchro) was dog slow, to the point that one user group for them specializes in ways to adjust people's expectations rather than trying to improve the engine. :laughing: Never heard of FourMotion; I'll have to look that up on the Innernet!

Regardless, the aforementioned CARB highly frowns on engine swaps, and at this point I think the only choices are the 2.2L and 2.5L Subaru. Even then, the 2.5L requires a wrestling match with some kind of approval board that adds about a K buck to the cost just for the time and paperwork involved. Were that not the case, I'd be shoving the biggest Subie engine that would fit into the thing, as I'm a firm believer that there's no substitute for horsepower!

Drew, you and RNG lucked up on some slow ones, my '96 STS Seville was a 6.3 0-60, and. 14.5 Qtr mile stock, that was pretty quick 20 years ago for a 4000 lb front drive car. Those were average magazine numbers, some well tuned ones would touch 14 flat.

 

[daugen]

Drew, you and RNG lucked up on some slow ones, my '96 STS Seville was a 6.3 0-60, and. 14.5 Qtr mile stock, that was pretty quick 20 years ago for a 4000 lb front drive car. Those were average magazine numbers, some well tuned ones would touch 14 flat.

the problem is Randy that today a V6 Camry or Accord will suck its doors off. But for sure, they won't sound as good. What a nice burble that engine had.
I bet the 0-30 on that STS was relatively slower though...needed to rev out to make power, but it sounded good doing so. Nice plastic engine cover.
when I met my late wife she was driving an STS, in that fancy white paint they made. She went from that to an awd SRX. Again in that white paint. I got really sick of washing that same color year after year... Never owned a Cadillac, they were all hers. She liked the show, it was like wearing a kind of jewelry.
Her last car was a 3.6 V6 XTS and while she liked it, I always longed for the sound of the pipes on her first STS, like yours. There's more to driving than just speed, particularly as we get older. If you like cars, which I know you do, the sounds in particular are important. Induction, exhaust, tire, wind, lots of noises. Some
very good.

it would be really cool if the new Tesla 3, which has some amazing pre-order numbers, could give one a little rotating dial that would provide the motor noises of
say your favorite ten engines. So as you silently whir away electrically you can hear the shift points of a Mustang 5.0 or the crackling backfire of the Jaguar R...
I'd sure pay more for that...
Are you listening Tesla?

I think the Northstar was one of the first engines that required Mobil 1.
I wonder if Fendt requires synthetic oil for those 50mph autobahn runs....vrroooom
well, ok, 40mph, but I can't imagine doing that with filled tractor tires.

back to regular programming.

 

[wngsprd]

Buppies, hope your wife is feeling better.

Gary, hope yours has a great birthday dinner.

 

[mkr7734]

Good evening,
Saw our fist Hummingbird just about 15 minutes ago, very early for here but you can't miss them. Sandra is fixing a feeder already,,,,,,,,LOL

Managed to dry up enough this afternoon for me to work the high and low spots on the lane some it and got kind of warm so I spent about an hour grading the new gravel on the lane.

 

[mkr7734]

But for sure, they won't sound as good. What a nice burble that engine had.

My 1969 Shelby GT 350 had the best sounding burble of anything I have ever had. And I have had lots of great cars over the years. Sure wish I had never sold that one, but the INS industry in the early 70s made sure unless you had deep pockets you could not afford to have one and eat to.

 

[toppop52]

the problem is Randy that today a V6 Camry or Accord will suck its doors off. But for sure, they won't sound as good. What a nice burble that engine had.
I bet the 0-30 on that STS was relatively slower though...needed to rev out to make power, but it sounded good doing so. Nice plastic engine cover.
when I met my late wife she was driving an STS, in that fancy white paint they made. She went from that to an awd SRX. Again in that white paint. I got really sick of washing that same color year after year... Never owned a Cadillac, they were all hers. She liked the show, it was like wearing a kind of jewelry.
Her last car was a 3.6 V6 XTS and while she liked it, I always longed for the sound of the pipes on her first STS, like yours. There's more to driving than just speed, particularly as we get older. If you like cars, which I know you do, the sounds in particular are important. Induction, exhaust, tire, wind, lots of noises. Some
very good.

it would be really cool if the new Tesla 3, which has some amazing pre-order numbers, could give one a little rotating dial that would provide the motor noises of
say your favorite ten engines. So as you silently whir away electrically you can hear the shift points of a Mustang 5.0 or the crackling backfire of the Jaguar R...
I'd sure pay more for that...
Are you listening Tesla?

I think the Northstar was one of the first engines that required Mobil 1.
I wonder if Fendt requires synthetic oil for those 50mph autobahn runs....vrroooom
well, ok, 40mph, but I can't imagine doing that with filled tractor tires.

back to regular programming.

That's why I said it wasn't bad for 20 years ago. And it wasn't. It was one of the quickest sedans of that time. But the 2016 V6 Camaro has 335 h.p. and hits 60 in 5.0-5.2 seconds depending on combo, and a quarter mile time of 13.2-13.5. That was well tuned big block territory 30-50 years ago. I never compared my STS to a modern car.

 

[toppop52]

My 1969 Shelby GT 350 had the best sounding burble of anything I have ever had. And I have had lots of great cars over the years. Sure wish I had never sold that one, but the INS industry in the early 70s made sure unless you had deep pockets you could not afford to have one and eat to.

I remember when my brother bought his new 1966 GTO, Tri Power, 4 speed, his car payment was $85, his insurance payment was $99.

 

[mkr7734]

I remember when my brother bought his new 1966 GTO, Tri Power, 4 speed, his car payment was $85, his insurance payment was $99.

Yeah and that was in 1966. The rates did not go nuts till the 70s. I had a 1967 GTO for 22 years, got it and did the first of two restorations in 1982.
Here is about all I have left of the Shelby other than a lot of fond memories. If these work??

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47...0121115181052000.JPG/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/

And a shot of my 65 Mustang.

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47...0121115181048854.JPG/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/

 

[toppop52]

Mine was rather expensive, in 1970, I paid around $700 a year on my '68 GTX.

 

[mkr7734]

I was paying $700 a year in 70 for the Shelby and still at home. Then in 71 I moved out of the house and it went to $1,400.00 a year so I traded the Shelby off for a new 72 Gremlin X... in November of 71. Yeah I know..................:mur: :laughing:

 

[daugen]

the INS industry in the early 70s made sure unless you had deep pockets you could not afford to have one and eat to.

too funny. Guess what I was doing during the early 70's? Personal Lines underwriter for Travelers, finding all those risky people like you, and worse, being a motorhead myself, I really knew to ask just exactly which model that plain sounding Pontiac sedan was. I'd fish out Toppop's hotrod he was trying to sneak in, yeah I know what a 396 engine is Mrs. Toppop and it's not for hauling the groceries... And then, if the horsepower to weight ratio exceeded some contrived number, a surcharge was applied for High Performance. That was bad because the surcharge applied to both liability and comp/collision, versus just having a higher rating symbol applied to your model which affected only comp and collision. Boats were the same way, exceed a hp to length ratio and usually they were rejected and sent to the specialty market. And specialty markets, except for antique/classic car insurance, which is a real bargain, is the Wild West of insurance where quotes always generate gasps...

Yes times change. The hot rod Mustang in 1966 with the big V8 put out less hp and was slower both in acceleration and handling than today's six cylinder models.
But you'd be penalized back then, and not now. Because 335 hp in a standard six is now acceptable. And a "basic" 396 was only 325hp. But those 396 engines really put out more, and the magazines picked up on it. And I read every car magazine printed. And studied those alpha designations in the serial numbers to make sure the company knew exactly what engine was under the hood. But if someone was over 21, had a decent driving record, and wanted a powerful car, you bet, charge enough money to hopefully be profitable, and bill the premiums. And at the end of each year an underwriter was judged by the loss ratios of all their clients. All the insurance agencies were rated too. And if you were a perfectly nice guy who happened to be insured by the wrong agency, who thanks to nothing that had anything to do with you put that agency on some watch list, so now discounts that might have been offered to you aren't available. You lose.

Some agencies with poor/high loss ratios were not allowed to write any auto business on the "preferred" pricing track. The sins of the few caused the overpricing of the many. No wonder I got out of Casualty Property insurance long ago. My agency had some of the lowest loss ratios in the State and when these draconian programs came down penalizing my clients who deserved to be courted not penalized, I just knew I needed to get into a different part of the insurance business. Lots of money to be made after a while on renewal commissions in auto/homeowners, but it can be a huge paper chase. I could deal with the paper, I couldn't deal with the heavy handed way the insurance companies back then dealt with their policyholders. In some ways it was almost adversarial. Now the companies have taken a softer approach.
And we have Flo. Who will reduce the IQ of the entire human race over time.

Randy, I knew you meant for its age, you know cars better than I do. Cars have gotten so silly fast today.
I think the STS was one of the nicest cars Cadillac ever made. Smaller, sportier, powerful (relatively...) just right for two couples.

 

[rswyan]

I know everyone here has been waiting for this with baited breath (especially Drew :laughing ... so, without any further ado ...

From the description:

"The Champ weighs in at a very healthy 15.8 lbs while The Challenger comes in at a very svelte 5.5 lbs ... and she's certainly a looker ..."

Has a mean left jab too ...

 

[Buppies]

Thanks wngsprd she pulled a muscle and lots of stress right now taxes slow paying customers etc. too much all at once. Doing all I can hopefully this will pass soon taxes done ours and two companies so that's a relief of sorts. Very windy tonight rain now down to quarter inch

 

[mkr7734]

too funny. Guess what I was doing during the early 70's? Personal Lines underwriter for Travelers, finding all those risky people like you, .

Drew I would have NO idea what you did in the 70s but I get a clear picture of what you do every day. TMI on this forum, JMHO. What makes you think I was a risky person? The rest of that post is TMI for me to read, you got a crystal ball. I had a good record and a nice car. Just when I moved from home those places you say you worked for "personal lines underwriters" stuck it to me. It was all about money. I never had a wreck and yeah one ticket, Country Companies could not dump me fast enough when I left the nest. Just the way it was. I was just saying what I went through, Did not know it hit a bone with you, Sorry I will go elsewhere. Circle the wagons boys, Later.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I know everyone here has been waiting for this with baited breath (especially Drew :laughing ... so, without any further ado ...

From the description:

"The Champ weighs in at a very healthy 15.8 lbs while The Challenger comes in at a very svelte 5.5 lbs ... and she's certainly a looker ..."

Has a mean left jab too ...

ROTFL. (I did my part to make it go viral)

What was that the squeak was fighting? Was that a cat or a golden retriever???

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Drew I would have NO idea what you did in the 70s but I get a clear picture of what you do every day. TMI on this forum, JMHO. What makes you think I was a risky person? The rest of that post is TMI for me to read, you got a crystal ball. I had a good record and a nice car. Just when I moved from home those places you say you worked for "personal lines underwriters" stuck it to me. It was all about money. I never had a wreck and yeah one ticket, Country Companies could not dump me fast enough when I left the nest. Just the way it was. I was just saying what I went through, Did not know it hit a bone with you, Sorry I will go elsewhere. Circle the wagons boys, Later.

lighten up Kev. he was only talking tongue in cheek, making fun of the things we used to do when we were young. Don't apologize and don't circle the wagons. We ALL suffered high insurance costs back in those days as young men. If you were a male, less than 25, unmarried, regardless of tickets, you were considered a high risk. I'm going to take a guess here and suppose that you may have fit into that category one way or another.

We all make wisecracks at each other in this thread. It is called ribbing. Now don't forget to take your newspaper to the bathroom with you today...(see how that works).

And Drew, drop and give me twenty!

PS, I keep a pair of reader glasses in the bathroom so I can't forget to take them in there with me.

 

[rswyan]

ROTFL. (I did my part to make it go viral)

Excellent ! I'll be curious to see how many hits it ultimately gets ...

What was that the squeak was fighting? Was that a cat or a golden retriever???

I believe it may be a cat/golden retriever mix ... :laughing:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

too funny. Guess what I was doing during the early 70's? Personal Lines underwriter for Travelers, finding all those risky people like you, and worse, being a motorhead myself, I really knew to ask just exactly which model that plain sounding Pontiac sedan was. I'd fish out Toppop's hotrod he was trying to sneak in, yeah I know what a 396 engine is Mrs. Toppop and it's not for hauling the groceries... And then, if the horsepower to weight ratio exceeded some contrived number, a surcharge was applied for High Performance. That was bad because the surcharge applied to both liability and comp/collision, versus just having a higher rating symbol applied to your model which affected only comp and collision. Boats were the same way, exceed a hp to length ratio and usually they were rejected and sent to the specialty market. And specialty markets, except for antique/classic car insurance, which is a real bargain, is the Wild West of insurance where quotes always generate gasps...

Yes times change. The hot rod Mustang in 1966 with the big V8 put out less hp and was slower both in acceleration and handling than today's six cylinder models.
But you'd be penalized back then, and not now. Because 335 hp in a standard six is now acceptable. And a "basic" 396 was only 325hp. But those 396 engines really put out more, and the magazines picked up on it. And I read every car magazine printed. And studied those alpha designations in the serial numbers to make sure the company knew exactly what engine was under the hood. But if someone was over 21, had a decent driving record, and wanted a powerful car, you bet, charge enough money to hopefully be profitable, and bill the premiums. And at the end of each year an underwriter was judged by the loss ratios of all their clients. All the insurance agencies were rated too. And if you were a perfectly nice guy who happened to be insured by the wrong agency, who thanks to nothing that had anything to do with you put that agency on some watch list, so now discounts that might have been offered to you aren't available. You lose.

Some agencies with poor/high loss ratios were not allowed to write any auto business on the "preferred" pricing track. The sins of the few caused the overpricing of the many. No wonder I got out of Casualty Property insurance long ago. My agency had some of the lowest loss ratios in the State and when these draconian programs came down penalizing my clients who deserved to be courted not penalized, I just knew I needed to get into a different part of the insurance business. Lots of money to be made after a while on renewal commissions in auto/homeowners, but it can be a huge paper chase. I could deal with the paper, I couldn't deal with the heavy handed way the insurance companies back then dealt with their policyholders. In some ways it was almost adversarial. Now the companies have taken a softer approach.
And we have Flo. Who will reduce the IQ of the entire human race over time.

Randy, I knew you meant for its age, you know cars better than I do. Cars have gotten so silly fast today.
I think the STS was one of the nicest cars Cadillac ever made. Smaller, sportier, powerful (relatively...) just right for two couples.

Drew, my ex underwrote automotive for the worst parts of Houston for a major co. I got to hear all about the grandsons stealing grandmaw's car and having an accident. (grandson was not a qualified driver, but drove the car regularly).

 

[RoyJackson]

2016-04-12, 0320

45 and light rain right now...high of 48 with rain (90% probability).

CO detector went off last night...boy, what a loud screeching sound! Although we figured it was a false alarm, just can't take a chance. We called 911 and the local firefighters came by and checked the place out. All clear, fortunately. Then, my wife couldn't find my stepdaughter's cats and went into a full bore panic. Well, the cats were where they should have been and wifey finally calmed down.

 

[Eric Salop]

Good morning all. The experts say it is set to get a little warmer today, although after yesterdays unpredicted soaking, the weather people could just be making that up too.

I have a camper van that was made in the 1960's. Not a VW, this one is a Ford. It goes much better in a straight line than around corners and there is not much room inside, but it does have a certain charm, unlike anything else that I have ever owned on 4 wheels. Paintwork is the original two tone - with neither color ever coming back into fashion. Now it is showing it's age, looking a little faded and tired (like it's owner ). Yesterday was a bit wet for taking pictures outside, I will see if I can take one today.

I wouldn't fancy doing too many rounds with The Squeak. Not be long before she takes over as, err, top dog.