So far I’ve put just over 1000 miles on my ‘67 Volvo 122 wagon since getting it on the road a couple of months ago. So let’s examine those 1000 miles:

Average fuel economy: 27 mpg, on 87 octane
Oil used: 1 quart
Repairs: replaced fan belt ($14), adjusted carburetors (free)
Number of times survived EMP due to points ignition: none…yet

Sometimes, I hate what they call “progress” these days. Trying to find a new set of tires for my Corvair. Now, I’m not talking bias ply tires, high performance, or anything weird like that. Just a nice set of basic radial tires, with a narrow whitewall. Like this:

Unfortunately, due to all the kids these days going for that “hella flush” look (which is “hella stupid” in my book, or anyone for that matter who understands vehicular dynamics and handling) finding actual rubber tires with an actual sidewall big enough to put a white wall on is next to impossible.  This super exotic, hard-to-find size I’m speaking of?  185/80R13.  Firestone is apparently the lone manufacturer of these tires now, and the chains don’t carry them.  You have to mail-order them and then find someone who will install them for you.  Incredible. 

I guess we can only wish that small wheels and fat rubber eventually come back into vogue…

Earlier this year, the Mansfield-Ontario stamping plant in Mansfield, OH closed its doors, probably for good. Just another far away plant, in some far away town, making a small blip on the nightly news.

But last weekend I was in Mansfield, OH, and happened to drive past the old plant. It was absolutely unbelievable. The facility itself is mind-bogglingly huge, and sports its own power grid, and even a water tower. From the road, all you can see is one continuous mass of buildings- office areas melding into manufacturing, and it spans out for what seems like thousands of yards in every direction. While the plant’s only been closed for a few months, already the landscaping looks haggard, and large weeds have grown through the cracks in the pavement. Rust drips off the sides of the metal buildings. And not a single car can be seen, in all the hundreds of parking spots. Across the road, the Local UAW office is vacant. All around the area, stores, hotels, and restaurants are being vacated, abandoned, left to fall apart, and eventually being torn down. About 2,000 jobs were lost when GM shuttered the building, and now the community is left trying to find work, and something to do with a facility that’s just too ungainly to do anything with. Another dead dinosaur.