Harvey,
In the late 50's and early 60's The Chryslers were the preferred tow
vehicle. At the time they had the (initially)180 horsepower domed combustion
chamber (Hemi) V-8 which later became the famous "300" Hemi engine. Those
180 horses were big strong horses. This engine was coupled to a Torqflite
automatic transmission (very strong in it's day compared to its
competition). Both of these were bulletproof. Chrysler also made versions
of these engines for industrial use and marine engines. [marine use puts the
engine constantly under full load]. Can't say the same for the current
Mopar crop.
The biggest problem with the mid to late 50's Chryslers was a terrible
suspension ( poor front end design) - they floated all over the road at high
speed. This improved somewhat with the torsion bar suspensions of the late
50's to early 60's.
But the engine, WOW. It performed famously under heavy use.
Oliver Filippi
----- Original Message -----
From: "Weimers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Multiple recipients of VACList" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 7:29 PM
Subject: [VAC] Re: Towing Vintage Airsteams With Vintage Cars
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Harvey Barlow" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > It is however, very easy to update a '56 Chevy
>
> With the availability of parts on those 55 to 57 Chevys, their good looks,
> and proven reliability, I have pondered getting one of them to use as an
> every day car. I never thought of using one for towing, however. In some
> ways, a Chevy would be better than the Mopar stuff I've been using, since
> Mopar is a little hard to find some parts for (harder to get body parts,
for
> sure). The late 60's and early 70's full size Chrysler products are very
> stable tow cars (from experience). I'd be interested to hear how a '56
Chevy
> would be (I've never owned one).
>
> We had a '64 Pontiac (when I was a kid) that was not as good as the
Chrysler
> products are. The Mopars have better stability and a better transmission
> (than a '64 Pontiac). An updated '56 Chevy might be just the ticket! I
like
> that idea (unless I hear otherwise. ) ! Does a '56 Chevy weigh enough to
be
> a stable tow car? (an early '70's Chrysler weighs about as much as an
> aircraft carrier ....and drives like one too).
>
> MARC WEIMER
> Punxsutawney, PA - Home of the Groundhog
> #15767
> 1963 Globe Trotter
> 1971 Globe Trotter
> http://users.penn.com/~mweimer
>
>
>
>
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