⌛ Bad Investment!

Many years ago, Over 40 now, My elder Brother ( By 2 years) and I Bought what we thought was the Investment of a life Time. We had just joined the Military, Me in the Royal Air Force him in the Royal Navy ( we are British for New Comers ) Our respective bases were 25 miles apart and 150 miles from home. We thought OK, lets get as big a car as we can, we figured that if we can get another 4 or 5 Squadies to share the costs. we can get home fairly regular at minimal cost. Now don't laugh at this, We Bought a Ford Pilot V8, It was the Biggest Disaster anyone could have bought, it was Big, Comfortable, BUT Fuel HUH!, Parts HUH! Insurance HUH! Timing belt! HUH! the story could go on for ever about the problems we had, It spent more time in the Mechanic's shop that on the road.
On Sunday this week I had a Skype conversation with John my brother and it raised a Question, This is NOT a Trivia Question, Neither of us can remember if the Pedals were hung or Into the floor. I guess only some of us oldies will remember Foot Pedals that went into the floor rather than hung down.


Is there anyone out there,that has driven one, owned one or even just knows about this?
Crazy post maybe but it could end up a Family and Friends betting issue.
Her in doors ( The Wife ) is totally against Betting, So I want to know before I say anymore to my Brother.

HELP Please


Jack P. :D

 

Ahh!!! Sweet nostalgia. The last one came off the production line at Dagenham in 1951.

 

I owned one in 1968, having recently returned from a crap hole called Aden, and I was sent on a 6 month attachment to the American Joint Forces on a research project at RAF Greenham Common. I managed to buy one locally for £125 (about $280 at the time) which was three months wages. As a young hormone fuelled squaddie corporal at the time, it was the best leg opener I could ever have owned. Thirsty on fuel, pre-select gear box, and a vacuum system that operated the wipers, so that the faster you went, the slower the wipers worked. But its most endearing feature was the long smooth bench seats. Many a WRAF member stretched herself out on those passion panels while we were parked up in the leafy lanes around Newbury. I swapped it later for a Hillman Minx, not in the same league for pulling, but much better on fuel.

The foot pedals, which were round, went through the floor and were definitely NOT the hung type.

Hope you win your bet Jack !!!!!!!!!!

 

Made my Day!

Broadside, I guess this was the Nearest thing we had to the US monsters that were shipped over in the 60s by the GIs, We had fun while we could afford it and I have to agree on the Pulling piece. Money wise a Disaster but Fun Wise top Notch! Mine went to a good Home and I got my First Mini ha ha now there is Contradiction in terms for you.

I have emailed my brother and will await his reply, He never paid much towards the car anyway so I doubt he will cough up my winnings.

Thanks for the reply, Nostalgia indeed.


Jack P.

 

Do flathead Ford engines really have a timing belt?

Or were you joking Jack?

 

Mechanically Inept!

:o M. When it comes to that thing under the Bonnet (Hood) I am not the man to talk to, I just presumed (Wrongly I guess) That as it was a V8 then it would have timing belts, All any one ever said was the timing was out.

I Always bow to others Knowledge of things I don't understand, Thank You for the quick Reaction.


Jack P.

 

I'm no McIver, but I just know those most of those old engines had those d*mn hard to adjust pushrods.

 

Too True!

M. The V8 would have 32 of them, if this is what they had! WOW! Glad I am not a McIver! maybe Broadside will fill us in on this!


Jack P.