Classic Cars, Tech Center News, November 6, 2000

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OOPS! Been caught. I listed the Kaiser Manhattan engine in last weeks column as an F-head. Not true it is an L-head configuration.-the difference? F-head has one valve in the block and one in the head. L-head engines have both valves in the block. Guess I will have to watch what keys I press on this keyboard more closely. It is not proper to attempt to rewrite automotive history-mistake or otherwise.

IF you are not aware of the new local RAM POWER Parts and Accessories store and your a Chrysler person, you may want to check it out. 30545 Stepenson Highway in Madison heights is where they be, phone is 800-RAM-2473, or 248-307-0270. FAX 248-307-0268.

It is my understanding that they will be carrying performance oriented MOPAR PARTS and a full line of replacement and crash parts also. Neat that this is a network of Birmingham Chrysler/Plymouth-Jeep in Troy, who in fact, love performance MOPAR people and, as the name implies, is part of the Chrysler dealer network. Very serious program with serious performance oriented car people running it. Wayne Wolfe, Doug Johnson and Steve Spindler run the ship. Should work.

Also, while at the store you may want to check out the new RAM POWER-SUPER ROD CRUISER, a specially modified PT Cruiser sponsored by John Dianna’s SUPER ROD Magazine. You may recall John Dianna was, for 33 years, with the Petersen Group of publications and is now on his own with six new magazines devoted primarily to street rods-and even a childrens cook book. Most people do not know that Mr. D is a genuine gourmet chef and will spend hours in the produce and meat department’s of California stores shopping for the right item. The little PT is cool-and John’s cooking, I hear is outstanding.

NOVEMBER is here and again a little auto history from November’s of years past … is due. On November 9 of 1931 the Pierce Arrow V-12 is introduced. We have referenced the ‘Three P’s’ here and it is a part of automotive folklore, that the Packard, Pierce Arrow and Peerless were regarded as North America’s finest automobiles. When you see one of these vehicles with the archer hood ornament-you know it is a Pierce Arrow. This, the twenties and thirties, was the time when a V12 and V16 were part of what a luxury touring car was all about. The ‘Three P’s’ are history now, gone but not forgotten. We all know what a general purpose vehicle is. And when you shorten the words to its military abbreviation, GP, it becomes Jeep. On November 20 of 1940, the Willys-Overland company completes its first Jeep. The rest is history. We all disdain car thieves and for that matter any thief. Isn’t it nice to know that Los Angeles reported its first car theft on November 16, 1904. It was a White Steamer. Henry Ford made the automobile a household tool in the early teens, powered his cars with 4-cylinder, and then V8 ‘flattie’ engines. Ford first put a 6-cylinder in the losing Model K Ford in 1906-1908. Once again though, a venerable Ford , in L-head, straight-6 configuration, was introduced November 20, 1940, for the ‘41 models. On November 30, 1960, the first International Scout becomes a production vehicle. Little did the automobile world recognize … the viability for sales of what we now call … the SUV.