Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : Topic Drift : DELETE NOW !

I've had two Fiats: A 124 Sport Spider (think MGB done Italian-style, with DOHC, 5-speed, and sexy Pininfarina styling), and an 850 Spider (rear-engined, body by Bertone). Both were fun, and generally reliable cars I really enjoyed.

The one thing that really sabotaged Fiat's standing in the US was the bizarre way they went about meeting the US emissions standards. There were two lights in the dash of the 124 that, when lit up, required major servicing of the AIR system. Failure to heed the lights meant an overheated engine, and a blown head gasket. And so it went. Europeans, South Americans, et al, unburdened by these emission standards, received cars that lived longer and performed better. I remember a survey of Euro-zone drivers some 30-years back in which Italian cars (Fiat being the chief) were regarded with the same level of quality as German cars, scoring above French and even Swedish makes.

Mark in Lakewood, CO

From: "Nate" <vwnate1@yahoo.com>
To: "diesel mercedes" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 3, 2013 9:09:18 PM
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Re : Topic Drift : DELETE NOW !

Interestingly , although I grew up in the 1950 & 1960's when Fiat's American products were , uh , um , less than perfect for our driving needs ,it turns out that , like those whacky French cars , once you got your mind around they're -different- in construction , build and maintenance , they're pretty good little cars , super cheap on the gasoline and *very* fun to drive , even the strange ones like the rear
engined 500 / 600's or Multiplias .

Back in the day I had friends who drove and loved them and learned how to keep them running 'On The Cheap ' in spite of seriously heavy use and abuse .

Tom had one once , a cute little thing I *think* was a Coupe , I got to ride in it a few times and it was fast & fun if fairly noisy .

I'm quite glad I never was sucked in by Fiat , Renault or those whacky but very good Poo-Joe's I worked on in the 1970's when I worked for The Tebault Brothers Garage ~ a pair of oddball but highly talented French Mechanics who loved all French Cars .

They taught me much too , especially Adolf who taught me that being rude and abrasive , only drives people away from you.....

Jay , OTOH , took the time to teach me much about not only how to fix this or that but the proper attitude if you want to fix Machines and not go crazy or wind up a hate filled old man like so many Mechanics do (oops) .

I wish I could thank him now .

-Nate