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It's Time to Play "WHO AM I"?

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  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,595
    OK, if the criterion is a 4 wheeled road vehicle available to the general public, I am going to say the King Midget, which was still using an L-head in 1969.

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    I did a little digging--according to several sources the first year for Chevy engines to replace the flathead Continental in the Checker was 1964, so that's still a year earlier than the Rambler American abandoned the flathead.

    I remember from my Chilton days that the Checker had Chevrolet engines going way back into the 1960s, so I believe you are correct.

    It seems that all four- and eight-cylinder Scouts had OHV engines. Six cylinder engines were supplied by AMC or Nissan Diesel, none of which were flat-head engines.
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    How about the last of the original Dodge Power Wagons, ca. 1968? That's stretching the definition of "road vehicle" though. . .
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,733
    I apologize to gbrozen!

    That's ok. I'm used to be overlooked. :blush:

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    HINT: The answer is not an obscure vehicle.

    It's later than the 1971 Jeep CJ5?
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    I don't think the Jeep qualifies, since the Hurricane (post-1955) is technically an F-head, with overhead intake valves and only the exhaust valves residing in the block.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yep, prize goes to Stephen....it's the '68 Dodge Power Wagon, available with the flathead-6/ 250 cid engine, a variant of the 230 cid, which still had industrial and marine uses up to 1974 or so. It is also reported, but I haven't verified, that the 250 Flathead appeared in the U.S. Army's 3/4 ton vehicles into the 70s.

    The King Midget? I hadn't really thought of that, but being a kit car and hardly a "road car", I'm inclined to be a strict judge and say "not quite".

    As for the Jeep, yes, that is an "F-head" engine, so not a flathead.

    Also, FYI, the Continental engine in the Checker in the 60s was actually a flathead *converted* to OHV. Same block, different head.
  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,595
    OK, I can accept that the King Midget was pushing the envelope. Is there a consolation prize?

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Your consolation is that you have even more obscure car facts in your head than I do. :P
  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    I'm the last American-market car (not truck) that did NOT have an independent front suspension. Give my model and model year.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    I think you're a Ford, but I don't know which year. Nineteen forty eight, perhaps?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I think you are right and 1948 was the last year for that primitive suspension.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    If that's indeed correct, you could also be a '48 Merc, as in Mercury, but I don't know about Lincoln.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    I also vote 1948 Ford (and Mercury).
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Is that the same six (at 230 c.i.) that was used in the '59 Plymouth and Dodge, right before the Slant Six came out in '60?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Chrysler hung onto those flathead sixes forever, didn't they?

    Chevy had overhead valve sixes forever, Ford brought them out in 1952..

    Anyone know which GM division held on longer than anyone else and what their last year was for flatheads?
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    I'm the last American-market car (not truck) that did NOT have an independent front suspension. Give my model and model year.

    Hmm. MG TC, 1949?
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    Pontiac held on to flatheads, I-6 and I-8, through the '54 model year. The Division introduced its version of the modern (for its day) overhead valve, high compression, short stroke V8 for '55.
  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,595
    Your consolation is that you have even more obscure car facts in your head than I do.

    I am honored, sir.

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    I am not a Ford or a Mercury or an MG. And I'm newer than 1949.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Very good.

    I remember an old timer mechanic who was a line mechanic in a Pontiac store saying that some of the 1955's had soft camshaft problems that were corrected the next year.

    Now, without looking it up, what was the last year a person could get the Indian head hood ornament that lit up at night?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I'm thinkin' about 1953???

    Now I thought Pontiac 6s were OHV by this time?
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    The only other make I can think of that still had a flathead straight-eight was the 1952 Packard. I think they finally went to an OHV V-8 in 1953.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Nope, Pontiac hung onto that flathead six until 1954 when they quit putting sixes into their cars.

    1956 was the last year for the lighted Indian and I still remember thinking how cool ther were when I was a kid.

    I suppose they would be considered politically incorrect now?
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Yes. He'd be referred to as a lighted Native American now.
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    VW Beetle, early '70s?
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    Packards continued using its flathead straight 8 through the '54 model year, and converted to the OHV V8 for '55.

    Sometimes when I see a large Lexus I think, "darn, that should be a Packard."
  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    VW Beetle, early '70s?

    Keep going...still newer.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Flatheads in the "straight" configuration lasted a long time because they were very quiet and very smooth (especially the straight 8). They were also cheap to build and pretty durable. What they weren't....was....light----and they really ran out of steam at PRM and kicked up a lot of torsional vibration, due to the long crank. What with the demand for power accessories and larger and larger cars, the game was up by the mid-50s, except for a few cash-poor holdouts.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    A quick flathead story.

    One of the many cars I had in my mispent youth was a beautiful 1949 Pontiac I bought when I worked in a gas station. It was in perfect condfition, low miles etc.

    But, it had a problem that I couldn't solve. If I drove it during the day when it was hot outside, it would run very hot. It would nearly peg the temperature guage.

    At night it would be just fine.

    I listened to everyone. I had the radiator rodded out. I replaced all of the hoses and the water pump. I even replaced the head gasket.

    Finally, I sold the car.

    Years later, I told this story to an old time Pontiac mechanic. He knew instantly what the problem was.

    Anyone know?
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    I'm wondering whether they could address the weight and torsional vibration issues today. If they could (a big "if", I suppose), I wonder whether a 3.0 or 3.5 liter OHC, DI I-8 would work well.
  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    I'm wondering whether they could address the weight and torsional vibration issues today. If they could (a big "if", I suppose), I wonder whether a 3.0 or 3.5 liter OHC, DI I-8 would work well.

    Back in the mid-1990s, both Ford and Chrysler toyed with the idea of a modern straight-eight. Chrysler linked two Dodge Neon 2.0L DOHC four-bangers into the pretty 4.0L DOHC straight-eight in the Chrysler Atlantic concept car, which was discussed for production at one point. Ford's attempt was less production worthy, but was being discussed as the future direction of powertrains with its "T-drive" where the power came out from the middle of the straight-eight engine mounted longitudinally in the front of the 1991 Ford Contour concept car.

    Eight-cylinder "t-drive" tested in a Ford Tempo.

    Last call for the last American-market car to not have independent front suspension. Hint: it was 1988."
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    No ideas? Shifty?

    OK,

    Most flatheads used a water distributing tube that allowed coolant to cool down the valve seats. They would rust out and create the problem I had.

    Dorman, the nut and bolt company made these and the old time parts houses sold them. They were usually a nasty b***h to replace.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I was thinking along the lines of interior block corrosion of some sort, so I was on the right track---but my answer sounded a bit lame so I didn't post it.

    New puzzle comin' up:
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I was the first car driven across the country by someone who couldn't vote and didn't wear any pants.

    Year and Make please?

    If you know the driver, bonus points. :P
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    I'm a '09 Maxwell DA, driven cross-country by Alice Ramsey and three female college mates in June '09.

    Sorry, I cheated; credit goes to Google, if that's the right answer.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    You guys need to develop an honor system. :P

    Yes and her journey heavily influenced the struggle for womens' rights throughout the USA. During the womens' "suffrage" movement, women often campaigned while driving cars, to show that they could take care of business in lots of ways. The battle ended in 1920 with passage of the 19th amendment.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    You're right about the honor system. In the future I'll rely on memory on this board, as I have in the past.

    Anyway, Alice deserves to be congratulated and honored for her contribution to equal rights, as well as for her achievement.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    There were very few roads out West in 1909. I'm sure it was a very difficult journey covering months of struggle to get there.

    Everyone thinks of the West being "settled" by covered wagons, but in fact, in places like California, real population growth in the early part of the 20th century was facilitated by the automobile.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I am the best selling German car of all times. Who Am I and what year was I born?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,733
    I gotta say VW Bug. The year is not in my memory, however. 1948?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    BLATTT! Sorry, wrong answer, but a good guess.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I'm guessing it's still a VW - but it's the Golf, (at various times known to NA as the Rabbit) and it was 1975.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,105
    VW Golf/Rabbit, 1974.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Ker-rect. I'm giving the prize to texases on a technicality, that production started in Europe in 1974. Lemko gets to be Miss Congeniality in this round. :P
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,105
    I am the second-best selling car vehicle (oops) (total sales to date) in the world...
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I am the best selling Chevrolet model of all time.

    Who Am I, and what was the first year I was made?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    AHHHH....I see you avoided a near fatal error in nomenclature......
  • m6vxm6vx Member Posts: 142
    Ford F-series
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,105
    Yep!
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