Superfluous bits on cars (and bikes)

[HardAspie]

What is a Chevrolet R 20H ??

For me, GM trucks have been cheap to own.  My current ride is a 2002 Suburban.  275,000 miles on the clock.  Really durable and reliable, with gasoline and oil changes being the most expensive parts of ownership.

I had trouble with its identity at auto parts stores! In 1987 for reasons unknown at least many of Chevrolet's light trucks were not called either C or K for 2 and 4WD respectively. They were all R. One had to know this to find correct parts. The 20H is that it was essentially a 30 series non dually badged as a 20 because 1 ton insures at a  higher rate. It was an R 20 Heavy. It was indeed legally a medium duty truck. It ran on a 350 V8...but not an automotive 350. K NA4. 4 bolt mains, cast nodular iron crankshaft, stronger pistons, stronger rods,  a medium truck engine. And mine had been custom ordered by an oil yard service company and was the heaviest carrying 20 possible at that date. It sat like a lifted 4WD! And when ordering parts I had to visual all of them! Hell, it had a wrong year throttle body EFI from the factory. It lasted me a long time. Finally at around 300K the engine was gone and then I found that in that truck an automotive 250 Goodwrench would have no warranty.

That was my (beloved) R 20H.

[oldbike54]

 Next some of you guys will be suggesting we return to bias ply tires , drum brakes , and vacuum operated windshield wipers 

 Dusty

[Green1000S]

My first car was a Citroen 2CV, which was salvaged from being a kids "ski hill"
No nanny controls, simplicity at its best. It did about 40mph on a damn big hill, absolute hoot to drive!
(pic is not of my car, but same color and year)





- Speedo worked with a cable, which drove the windshield wipers. No speed, no wipers. You could turn the knob to get vipers moving though...
- 4 gears with centrifugal clutch. You could leave the car on any gear at traffic lights.
- Windshield washer was a mechanical syringe, which sucked water and squirted it on windshield...
- A/C, sure, open the front manually operated vent.
- Windows, yes, tilted 1/2 way open.
- seats, attached on the floor with 2 hooks, single fabric suspended with rubber bands...
- headlights were adjustable with a knob. Manually.
- blinkers, yes. Manual, took about 5 sec to "warm up" and then they worked. barely.
- start, works, with wire attached to starter lever. Stock.
- Not working, no problem, car came with a steel crank, which you could use. I landed in hospital one night, when it spit the 1 yard long crank on my forehead...

[giusto]

Next some of you guys will be suggesting we return to bias ply tires , drum brakes , and vacuum operated windshield wipers 

 Dusty

my 1972 Super Beetle....please

[oldbike54]

my 1972 Super Beetle....please

 Too hi-tech , came equipped with an electric starter 

 Dusty

[HardAspie]

My first car was a Citroen 2CV, which as salvaged from being a kids "ski hill"
No nanny controls, simplicity at its best. It did about 40mph on a damn big hill, absolute hoot to drive!
(pic is not of my car, but same color and year)





- Speedo worked with a cable, which drove the windshield wipers. No speed, no wipers. You could turn the knob to get vipers moving though...
- 4 gears with centrifugal clutch. You could leave the car on any gear at traffic lights.
- Windshield washer was a mechanical syringe, which sucked water and squirted it on windshield...
- A/C, sure, open the front manually operated vent.
- Windows, yes, tilted 1/2 way open.
- seats, attached on the floor with 2 hooks, single fabric suspended with rubber bands...
- headlights were adjustable with a knob. Manually.
- blinkers, yes. Manual, took about 5 sec to "warm up" and then they worked. barely.
- start, works, with wire attached to starter lever. Stock.
- Not working, no problem, car came with a steel crank, which you could use. I landed in hospital one night, when it spit the 1 year long crank on my forehead...

OMG! My absolute favourite car of all time; the exquisitely engineered 2CV! I had the opportunity to ride in one once and will always treasure the experience. I like the Tracion behind it in the photo too.