Europe Loves The Mustang
 

On 15 Jun 2005 18:43:44 -0700, wrote:

>the guvnor wrote:
>> On 14 Jun 2005 19:25:22 -0700, wrote:
>
>> >So maybe you're tired of the dollar being worth about as much as a
>> >Turkish lira - or just fed up with what you perceive as anti-American
>> >sentiment in Europe.
>> >
>> >Hate not, patriots. The Euros still want to be us, bad. Why else would
>> >they start an online petition for Ford to bring the new Mustang to
>> >their shores?
>
>> >http://www.neuroticweb.com/mustang/
>
>> >Do them a favor and go sign the petition right now.
>
>> Don't bother. you can buy them in Europe anyway.
>
>> It's just that the idea of a sports car with a van style solid rear
>> axle is a bit of a joke in Europe...
>
>Until they drive one.

1950's pickup style suspension.

>Kinda like the folks who dismiss the new Z06 because it still uses
>pushrods... IDIOTS!

1950's pickup style engine.

Ever wondered why so few American built cars are sold around the
world?

"the guvnor" > wrote in message
...
> On 15 Jun 2005 18:43:44 -0700, wrote:
>
>>the guvnor wrote:
>>> On 14 Jun 2005 19:25:22 -0700, wrote:
>>
>>> >So maybe you're tired of the dollar being worth about as much as a
>>> >Turkish lira - or just fed up with what you perceive as anti-American
>>> >sentiment in Europe.
>>> >
>>> >Hate not, patriots. The Euros still want to be us, bad. Why else would
>>> >they start an online petition for Ford to bring the new Mustang to
>>> >their shores?
>>
>>> >http://www.neuroticweb.com/mustang/
>>
>>> >Do them a favor and go sign the petition right now.
>>
>>> Don't bother. you can buy them in Europe anyway.
>>
>>> It's just that the idea of a sports car with a van style solid rear
>>> axle is a bit of a joke in Europe...
>>
>>Until they drive one.
>
> 1950's pickup style suspension.
>
>>Kinda like the folks who dismiss the new Z06 because it still uses
>>pushrods... IDIOTS!
>
> 1950's pickup style engine.
>
> Ever wondered why so few American built cars are sold around the
> world?


Well, SIZE is one reason. Not offering right hand drive in many models is
another. And those awful, bloody, import and engine-size taxes are a killer.
Not to mention that the parts pipelines are awfully awfully long. They
become the "foreign" car once outside the US - not to mention the computer
diagnostics equipment.

I have friends in the UK that put up with the inconvenience and drive
Corvettes, Cadillacs, Camaros and Firebirds.

I know one thing for su would LOVE to have a new Z06 in Europe and watch
that "ancient" push rod technology run alongside the Ferraris, Lamborghinis,
etc., at 1/3rd the price. I can also see driving up in a red Z06 at an AGIP
in Italy, a TOTAL in France -- take half an hour to pry the people off the
car. And park at a decent restaurant along the Amalfitana - wow!
Hehehehehee!

Joel Jacobs
Commerce, Texas/Naples, Italy

On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 07:34:51 -0500, "Joel Jacobs" >
wrote:

>> Ever wondered why so few American built cars are sold around the
>> world?
>
>
>Well, SIZE is one reason. Not offering right hand drive in many models is
>another. And those awful, bloody, import and engine-size taxes are a killer.

10% import duty??

On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 12:40:41 GMT, the guvnor
> wrote:

>On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 07:34:51 -0500, "Joel Jacobs" >
>wrote:
>
>>> Ever wondered why so few American built cars are sold around the
>>> world?
>>
>>
>>Well, SIZE is one reason. Not offering right hand drive in many models is
>>another. And those awful, bloody, import and engine-size taxes are a killer.
>
>10% import duty??

Those socialist amerikaners have a funny slant on things, don't they.

On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 22:54:12 +1000, Kenshlock de la Fehrêtte
<slapsableschubbyface@forever> wrote:

>On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 12:40:41 GMT, the guvnor
> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 07:34:51 -0500, "Joel Jacobs" >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>> Ever wondered why so few American built cars are sold around the
>>>> world?
>>>
>>>
>>>Well, SIZE is one reason. Not offering right hand drive in many models is
>>>another. And those awful, bloody, import and engine-size taxes are a killer.
>>
>>10% import duty??
>
>Those socialist amerikaners have a funny slant on things, don't they.

Note how Europeans are free to import any car (not that anyone does)
but Americans cannot import any car they choose...

"the guvnor" > wrote in message
...

>
> Note how Europeans are free to import any car (not that anyone does)
> but Americans cannot import any car they choose...

What are you smoking? Just try it.

"the guvnor" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 07:34:51 -0500, "Joel Jacobs" >
> wrote:
>
>>> Ever wondered why so few American built cars are sold around the
>>> world?
>>
>>
>>Well, SIZE is one reason. Not offering right hand drive in many models is
>>another. And those awful, bloody, import and engine-size taxes are a
>>killer.
>
> 10% import duty??

Perhaps the UK, not so in Italy and other countries on the Continent. The
taxes will take your breath - not to mention the tax on the displacement of
engine.

"the guvnor" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 22:54:12 +1000, Kenshlock de la Fehrêtte
> <slapsableschubbyface@forever> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 12:40:41 GMT, the guvnor
> wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 07:34:51 -0500, "Joel Jacobs" >
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Ever wondered why so few American built cars are sold around the
>>>>> world?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Well, SIZE is one reason. Not offering right hand drive in many models
>>>>is
>>>>another. And those awful, bloody, import and engine-size taxes are a
>>>>killer.
>>>
>>>10% import duty??
>>
>>Those socialist amerikaners have a funny slant on things, don't they.
>
> Note how Europeans are free to import any car (not that anyone does)
> but Americans cannot import any car they choose...

Who the hell in his/her right mind would import most US cars into Europe?
I've lived in Europe off an on for the past 25 years, so you "ain't" talking
with the "average" Yank.

There are many Euro cars we don't import here into the US. Getting spares
for a Renault, TVR, Peugeot, even Fiats do not make it sensible to do so.
And then, finding a tech to work on them is another story entirely as well.

In Europe I found ONE guy who could do the diagnostics on a Corvette while
living in Southern Italy and he had the equipment to work on them because he
owned both a ZR-1, and a convertible.

On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 09:51:32 -0500, "Joel Jacobs" >
wrote:

>>>>10% import duty??
>>>
>>>Those socialist amerikaners have a funny slant on things, don't they.
>>
>> Note how Europeans are free to import any car (not that anyone does)
>> but Americans cannot import any car they choose...
>
>Who the hell in his/her right mind would import most US cars into Europe?

It's a choice thing.

>I've lived in Europe off an on for the past 25 years, so you "ain't" talking
>with the "average" Yank.

Fair enough.

>There are many Euro cars we don't import here into the US. Getting spares
>for a Renault, TVR, Peugeot, even Fiats do not make it sensible to do so.
>And then, finding a tech to work on them is another story entirely as well.

The differance is that you *can't* import them, at least not for road
use.

>In Europe I found ONE guy who could do the diagnostics on a Corvette while
>living in Southern Italy and he had the equipment to work on them because he
>owned both a ZR-1, and a convertible.

People in Europe have long forggoten how pushrod engines work?

"the guvnor" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 09:51:32 -0500, "Joel Jacobs" >
> wrote:
>
>>>>>10% import duty??
>>>>
>>>>Those socialist amerikaners have a funny slant on things, don't they.
>>>
>>> Note how Europeans are free to import any car (not that anyone does)
>>> but Americans cannot import any car they choose...
>>
>>Who the hell in his/her right mind would import most US cars into Europe?
>
> It's a choice thing.
>
>>I've lived in Europe off an on for the past 25 years, so you "ain't"
>>talking
>>with the "average" Yank.
>
> Fair enough.
>
>>There are many Euro cars we don't import here into the US. Getting spares
>>for a Renault, TVR, Peugeot, even Fiats do not make it sensible to do so.
>>And then, finding a tech to work on them is another story entirely as
>>well.
>
> The differance is that you *can't* import them, at least not for road
> use.
>
>>In Europe I found ONE guy who could do the diagnostics on a Corvette while
>>living in Southern Italy and he had the equipment to work on them because
>>he
>>owned both a ZR-1, and a convertible.
>
> People in Europe have long forggoten how pushrod engines work?

If this weren't so silly it would be laughable.

Multi-overhead camshaft cars have inherent problems as well, so it's a
matter of choice and construction. Each has some inherent problems, each has
some distinct advantages. One advantage of a push-rod engine is getting
very high performance for a very low cost.

I've owned Jags, MGs, MBs, BMWs, Porsches, Audis, Minis, etc. so I'm
familiar with both systems.

My lanky old push-rod-driven C4 Corvette with 124,000 miles on the clock
will still nudge the 165 mph mark, cut 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, and gives me
better than 25mpg cruising at 75mph with the AC on. And everything on the
car works! which is far more than one can say about the normal British cars.

UK build quality has a horrid reputation here in the US, has had for years -
and the reputation was/is well deserved. Even those of us who loved your
cars grew to detest them because of the faulty carbs, electricals, and poor
workmanship. I'm very much a fan of the UK, having spent a great deal of
time there for both business and pleasure. And, to be sure you have some
cars that I still love. Do us all a favor, don't be an ass and alienate
those of us who are fond of both you and your country, as well as your
cars - faults and all.