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Topic starter
06/07/2012 7:46 am
Funny "story" concerning my '66 Toronado ! LOL
I was off this past week and am currently working on getting my Toronado road worthy again, then in the fall I hope to repaint it and she'll be all set to go in the early Spring! 
YAY. I'm not going to make it show car or anything like that, just a neat solid looking and tidy "driver". Anyway working on the car reminded me of something that happened LAST summer that I think you older guys will find "cute" or funny!
Last summer a friend of a friend was at my house. We went out back in my garage and he saw the old cars, asked me if they ran etc... Keep in mine the friend was 20 years old! So I said YES they both run, and laughed. I then told him that the Toronado was GMs first FWD car and that Jay Leno has one like it but in Gold etc.. I then started the car. My Toronado has a PARKING BRAKE light that is a big rectangular box and lights up a yellowy-orange color. So with the car running and being the PB was applied this light was illuminated. The kid peeked into the interior and said "OH your check engine light is on. What's wrong, you have a bad sensor? My Explorer had a bad O2 sensor and that tripped the light" LOLOLOL I then almost laughed, but to due so would be insulting because he simply wasn't from this era of pre-computerized cars so how WOULD he know? Anyway my older friend and I looked at each other and smiled (well almost laughed) and then explained to the "kid" how old cars work, etc.. I thought some here would get a kick out of this! Wasn't that a "cute" story! LOLOLOL
06/07/2012 8:22 am
Hehe! That is a nice story. Some of my best car stories revolve around my wife.
As I've mentioned, she is Taiwanese and speaks with a very heavy accent. Since she's married to a diehard car guy, she is bombarded with car stuff/talk virtually on a daily basis. Naturally, via osmosis, she's picking up on some of the car talk stuff.
A few years ago, I was heavily into online racing. For those of you who are familiar with the old NASCAR Racing simulation by Papyrus, it enabled you to race online against online racers in real time! At any rate, there was an automated voice that simulated a track spotter that would announce if you were being passed or passing another car on the track. Depending on the position of the other cars, meaning was a car to the right or the left of you, just like in 1:1 racing parlance, the simulated voice would announce (mimicking Ned Jarrett) "you have a car down low" or "you have a car up high." At any rate, if my wife was riding with me in our real cars, and as I would try to make a lane change, she would try to help and say in her thick Chinese accent, "you have car down row!" That just tickled me in amusement because it just sounded so funny coming from her.
06/07/2012 8:41 am
When I bought my 63 Thunderbird in 1990, it was sitting in my garage when a ten year old neighbor boy came over to look at it. I opened the rider's side door and asked if he wanted to sit in it. I climbed in the driver's side. While he was studying the dashboard I swung the steering wheel to the right and you should have seen the look on his face. Kiddingly I told him that this was a special feature that allowed the passenger to drive if the driver got sleepy. He was really impressed until I told him the truth. Everyday I learn more and more that what I grew up with and take for granted is totally unknown by younger folks. With each passing year more of our automotive history is lost to generations who think of cars as just appliances.
06/07/2012 8:53 am
Great story, Phil. By the way, did you catch the "Driveable Dream" article about the '66 Toronado in the latest issue of "Hemmings Classic Car"?
I'm already looking forward to photos of your "Driveable Dream" Toronado when it's back on the road!
Topic starter
06/07/2012 11:37 am
No I didn't I have to start subscribing to Hemmings again!
It was a great "book" Thanks for your enthusiasm about my Toronado. It's nice to know other's share my passion! FYI I bought my '66 Toronado in my Senior year of H.S. when I was 17 going on 18. I've owned it since! This was 1983 when I bought it. It's funny to think back how OLD the car seemed when I bought it, but in reality it too was only 17-18 as we're both 1966 models! Now both 46 years old you can say we're getting old together! hee hee LOL Amazing that I've personally owned the car for the more then 65% of its life, almost 30 years!
Topic starter
06/07/2012 11:46 am
Marlowe thats really adorable!!!
As you well know now LOL 😉 I am around Asians all the time and I totally know how she would say that. "L"s become "R" And "R"s become "L" sound. For example Phil owns a Rincoln Malk VIII LOL My neighbor Rarry (Larry) has one too Its cute. Another thing in my adult life that confused me but I now understand is that in the Asian language you really don't say he, she her hers, etc.. is almost like your saying "It went to the store" So if someone is talking about their daughter they sometimes will interchange he when they should be using she. It used to confuse me because I have a Filipino C0-worker whom would be talking about her brother. SHe would start out saying "On my brother was playing golf, but she had to stop because there was a lightening storm" Then I would say .... "Your brother or sister?? Because you said SHE but started saying your brother. I was then explained about how they dont really use HE, SHe, his/her etc.. goes for most all asian Korean, CHinese, Fillipino, Taiwainese, etc.. I never hear Indian people make that "mistake" and technically Indians are considered Asian too though few people realize or think this. Cute story Marlowe, your wife sounds very charming!!!
06/07/2012 2:00 pm
LOL, great story, Marlowe !
06/07/2012 2:59 pm
Hemmings
Phil, in the August issue of Hemmings Classic Cars there is a nice article about a guy and his unrestored 66 Toronado. You might enjoy. The parents of a guy in my class in high school purchased the first one that I had seen, black with white interior. Geezzzz that car was gorgeous
Topic starter
06/07/2012 5:30 pm
Thanks Bruce! They are a blast to drive too WHEN they are running right
But I will be honest and can tell you that of my three old cars the Toro is the most problematic and things don;t like to stay fixed! When all systems are in order though as I had it about 12 years back, it was a joy to drive. It glided along on the HWY at ANY speed with no vibrations at all. 50,65 , 90 120 etc smooth as silk. ANd though its FWD it has no torque steer like many complain about modern high powered FWD cars. Very well designed overall
07/07/2012 3:07 pm
My Co Shift Guy owned a Black w/ white inside, Beautiful till dirty? then a Nightmare!