<VV> Not quite

[Bill Elliott]

Padgett wrote:

>
>> "Overnight (Jan 1, 1968) two entire classes of cars were completed wiped
>> out in the US. Small lightweight economy cars and low slung sports cars,
>
>
> Not really, they just evolved. The Vega/Pinto series were both 
> intended for the '70s and were smaller than the Corvair/Falcon. That 
> both the Pinto and the Vega had fatal flaws was not the issue (I have 
> had several Vegas, a steel-sleeved Astre wagon that I really liked, 
> and a V-8 Sunbird (glorified Vega) I kept for over 20 years).
>
Neither the Vega nor Pinto were a small nor lightweight economy car. 
They were just the smallest and lightest cars that the US could build 
under the new rules. My point exactly.

> The problem was that the bulk of the American public did not and never 
> has wanted truly small cars (and apparently still doesn't).

This is true, but not the whole story. The "American public" doesn't 
truly want motorcycles either, but they have "allowed" them to remain in 
production for those that do. Not so with cars... and there IS enough 
market that were manufacturers allowed to freely enter the US market, 
plenty would be sold... just not as many as a "lowest common 
denominator" Camry or Taurus...

>
>
>
> Also bumper laws had a noticable effect on "low slung sports cars" 
> which was not all bad (had a good friend very seriously injured when 
> his Lotus Elan ran under a Lincoln).


Would he have been better off on a motorcycle? We should have the CHOICE 
to drive small low lightweight cars like the Elan... but we don't. 
Thanks to Nader.

> Many european companies just decided there were no enough sales in the 
> US to justify one-market models. 


Again my point exactly... because they would have to be significantly 
different from the "normal" cars they made. And for no good reason.

> Convertibles were always a "loss leader" (in the mid-70s *all* GM 
> convertibles used the same top and made by the same non-GM company. It 
> was cheaper to farm them out than for GM to build a small number). 
> Today they have come back because the carmakers have time again but 
> only in specific model lines.

The Government came VERY close to outlawing convertibles... and they 
still could. Why should we care? Closed cars are safer; isn't that the 
whole point?
Again, once the precedent is in place (e.g. that the Government can 
dictate to us what kind of cars we drive...for our own good) is it 
really that much of a stretch to outlaw convertibles (or smoking or 
alcohol or McDonalds or extramarital sex...the list goes on and on... 
"for our own good"). Governments simply should not have that much power.

You'd think that of all classic car groups, Corvair enthusiasts would 
understand this principle. But it's clear that many don't... or worse 
yet agree with the sort of changes to our Government (and our way of 
life)  that followed "Unsafe at Any Speed". I hope I don't hear any of 
you complaining (again) when the national speed limit is lowered to 55 
(or 45...) "for our own good"... yet another example of the Government 
seizing unconstitutional power...yet the precedent is set so don't be 
surprised.

>
>
> So each element is really complex when you look at all of the 
> pressures and federal regulation were just part (and often an excuse).
>
>
I agree with the premise that but like others here you are confusing 
"the market" with "the market following strict regulation".

I've said all I intend to on the subject. Most everyone is missing the 
point... concentrating on the fact that cars improved instead of seeing 
at what cost. Bottom line is that the public likes being taken care of 
and Nader (and the socialists) have already won. Many of us see our 
individual freedoms slipping away daily "for the good of society"... 
it's only a matter of time before it will get bad enough that the 
general public notices... and by then it will already be far too late.
.
Bill Elliott


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