I loved my 1975 Honda Civic. It met the environmental requirements without a catalytic converter, using the design for a 1937 light airplane engine. Also had a 5-speed stick. I spent $10 buying the telephone book-sized owner's manual, which was completely illustrated with pictures with arrow pointing at the thing you were going to work o…
I loved my 1975 Honda Civic. It met the environmental requirements without a catalytic converter, using the design for a 1937 light airplane engine. Also had a 5-speed stick. I spent $10 buying the telephone book-sized owner's manual, which was completely illustrated with pictures with arrow pointing at the thing you were going to work on for that part of the project; following the manual, I did a ring and valve job on it in 1979. And it got 40mpg in two and 50 on the road and four 6 footers could fit inside closely but comfortably. It was the best car I ever owned. And I had a 1969 VW before that that my wife loved so much she demanded taking it with her when we split up.
Your second husband didn't know how lucky he was! :-)
Mine was a 1977 I had to replace the whole motor - thank goodness for torque wrenches my upper arm strength is no match for a man's - but then I decided the reason it blew out was the toy radiator in it. So, I searched a junk yard and found a sunbeam full size radiator that fit the width of the Honda instead of the toy size it came with - the Honda lasted another two years. My best car (although I couldn't work on it myself) was the Prius - great mileage, very low maintenance. I gave my last to to my granddaughter when I quit driving in 2017. She still has it.
My first how-to manual was the Compleat Idiot for the VW bus - long story
My favorite car that I've owned is my '08 Civic (5 speed stick). Drives like a sports car. The only thing I've done myself on it was to change the spark plugs. I used to do tuneups when you could still do that on cars.
I loved every one of my four-on-the-floors because they made me more engaged with the driving process, more alert, and ultimately a safer driver. It's all automatics now because drivers have to have their hands free to mess with their phones, their interior accoutrements, etc. Some of my cars aged out and died of all kinds of things except for tired transmissions.
I loved my 1975 Honda Civic. It met the environmental requirements without a catalytic converter, using the design for a 1937 light airplane engine. Also had a 5-speed stick. I spent $10 buying the telephone book-sized owner's manual, which was completely illustrated with pictures with arrow pointing at the thing you were going to work on for that part of the project; following the manual, I did a ring and valve job on it in 1979. And it got 40mpg in two and 50 on the road and four 6 footers could fit inside closely but comfortably. It was the best car I ever owned. And I had a 1969 VW before that that my wife loved so much she demanded taking it with her when we split up.
Your second husband didn't know how lucky he was! :-)
Mine was a 1977 I had to replace the whole motor - thank goodness for torque wrenches my upper arm strength is no match for a man's - but then I decided the reason it blew out was the toy radiator in it. So, I searched a junk yard and found a sunbeam full size radiator that fit the width of the Honda instead of the toy size it came with - the Honda lasted another two years. My best car (although I couldn't work on it myself) was the Prius - great mileage, very low maintenance. I gave my last to to my granddaughter when I quit driving in 2017. She still has it.
My first how-to manual was the Compleat Idiot for the VW bus - long story
You sound wonderful!
My favorite car that I've owned is my '08 Civic (5 speed stick). Drives like a sports car. The only thing I've done myself on it was to change the spark plugs. I used to do tuneups when you could still do that on cars.
I loved every one of my four-on-the-floors because they made me more engaged with the driving process, more alert, and ultimately a safer driver. It's all automatics now because drivers have to have their hands free to mess with their phones, their interior accoutrements, etc. Some of my cars aged out and died of all kinds of things except for tired transmissions.
I feel the same way about the second husband. (see my comment above yours)