Date:         Fri, 24 Sep 1999 08:45:57 -0700
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Organization: The Cobalt Group
Subject:      Good "CAR-MA"
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

My '84 Westy seems to have it.  It seems to truly care about us and our
safety, particularly when it is having problems.  In fact, all the old
cars I have owned and taken care of have take care of us too.

Yesterday, after a 120 round trip on I-5 to pick up a nearly mint 1964
MGB with (and for) my son,  she lost power just as we left the freeway
to return home, and my son was able to get it off the street into a
parking lot.  Fuel pump failed, and I was able to replace it with a
spare I always carry (I am getting a bit smarter in my old age!) without
risking my life on the shoulder of the freeway.

This was the fourth time she has had a fuel problem over the years
(lines popped off three times before I replaced them!) and each time she
conked out in a safe place, three times right after exiting the freeway!
(And did not catch fire!)

Our beloved '65 MGB, which we have owned for 30 years has done the same
with a run down battery, a broken distributor, and numerous flat tires,
all happening in reasonably safe and convenient places.

Last, an old SAAB 99 I got for my daughter a few years ago never broke
down, but once the gear shift interlock broke, leaving the car locked in
reverse.  It was in the driveway!  Anywhere else and I would have had to
tow it.  It sacrificed its life when it was T-boned on the driver's side
at an intersection, and my daughter was not injured.

I have never been one to name my vehicles, but maybe I should.  I am
starting to think there is a man-machine interaction here that is beyond
understanding.

I hope you all get to experience it!

--
Stuart MacMillan

'84 Westy
'65 MGB driver
'74 MGB GT project
'68 MGB long term project
'64 MGB New to family