[DMCForum] Re: American Automobile Industry (John Dore)

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The American automobile industry since WWII basically exists in two
epochs:
1) 1950's-1970's
2) 1980's-Present
A 1979 model is not worlds different from a 1959 model. A mechanic
transported between them in time would have little difficulty
adapting. That same 1979 model, however, is virtually unrecognizable
against cars that followed a mere decade later.

It's really quite fascinating when you step back and look at the
industry from a distance. There are overall design philosophies and
emphases that manifest themselves any given year in each epoch. For
example, before 1980 styling budgets typically rivaled or exceeded
engineering budgets. Production revolved around human activity, not
automation (which greatly affects later repairability). Every system
on earlier cars was intentionally designed to operate over a wide
range of tolerances, with components that err'd towards the maximum
size and weight necessary. They characterize nearly every car built
for three decades.

The industry was unbelievably impacted by foreign influence and global
events at the turn of the 80's. Even though its relationship to them
returned to a pre-80's status well before the end of the decade, their
effects on it did not. A later crop of designers and engineers had
already brought different philosophies, which of course are being
handed down through their successors until something else shakes the
industry. Until then we remain in the middle of the latest epoch. 

You may have noticed I prefer the earlier one:
- Systems can degrade, and sometimes even fail, with limited impact on
vehicle performance
- Heavier components better survive time and use (sometimes over a
period LESS than 10 years)
- Styling appeals to me
- Vehicles are repairable by myself in my own driveway
- Cost of ownership is shockingly low
Because the pool of available vehicles will NEVER get bigger, it's
actually to my advantage that mine is a minority preference.

Anecdotal evidence clearly indicates America has entered an era of
"disposable" cars (much like consumer electronics). That's a game I do
not wish to play. My vehicles are more than just transportation --
they are a lovingly executed hobby (about which I am deadly serious --
there's no 2004 model anything sitting in my driveway to drive in
their place). 

Bill Robertson
#5939

>--- In DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "John Dore" <dmcjohn@xxxx> wrote:
> Martin,
> 
> Wasn't the Cadillac Northstar V8 generally accepted as one of the 
> greatest engines ever? On both sides of the Atlantic...
> 
> What about the Hoover Dam? The Big Dig in Boston? Mount Rushmore? The 
> NYC skyline?
> 
> Americans make great engineers!
> 
> I would hardly consider Jeremy Clarkson or Quentin Willson 
> journalists if it is their opinions on American engineering you have 
> embraced.
> 
> There is nothing so complicated about the European or Japanese method 
> of engine design that any American automotive engineer could not 
> easily grasp. Its just that those tiny engines that sound like vacuum 
> cleaners don't suit the American market. Most Americans (and yes lots 
> of Europeans too!) simply like big engines. Those who don't like big 
> engines will never understand those who don't, and I think that is 
> the way it will remain till our dying days!
> 
> John
> 
> --- In DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Martin Gutkowski <martin@xxxx> wrote:
> > Hey, not arguing other stuff, but the lack of any move towards 
> economy 
> > has left american engines as a bit of a laughing stock everywhere 
> else.
> > 
> > I've also been to Marshall Space Center and Johnson SC, but 
> remember 
> > also that we came up with Concorde (and I have read that some of 
> your 
> > guys think that was a bigger achievement - dunno about that tho'). 
> I 
> > love the whole moon mission saga and read every book I can find on 
> the 
> > subject.
> > 
> > Martin
> > 
> > cruznmd wrote:
> > 
> > > Without getting into the horsepower arguement, I would like to 
> point
> > > out that I couldn't give a jackle's tackles what criticism 
> Europeans
> > > have to offer about our automotive engineering, or any other form 
> of
> > > engineering for that matter.
> > >
> > > Americans didn't invent automobiles but we made them practical so
> > > everyone could have one.
> > >
> > > I recommend looking at some of the buildings, bridges, highways,
> > > tunnels and monuments here for examples of civil engineering. 
> Next, I
> > > recommend a tour of Kennedy Space Center in Florida for an 
> example of
> > > our aeronautical engineering. I heard we sent men to the moon 
> once.
> > >
> > > Oh, and last I checked, the HMS Talent, (our host submarine during
> > > mid-deployment refit) is burning one of our reactors for 
> propulsion
> > > and your SSBN's carry our Trident D-5 nuclear missiles.
> > >
> > > I don't scorn the European approach to things. The 600+ year old
> > > church I visited will always be fresh in my memory. The "chunnel"
> > > across the English Channel will always astound me. Let's just 
> agree
> > > that we have different approaches to the same problem and be 
> friends
> > > shall we?
> > >
> > > Rich A.
> > >

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