CARS & DRIVERS

YOU ARE WHAT YOU DRIVE

Take any parking lot in the city and you can see all kinds: a Mercedes next to a VW Rabbit, across the row from a Honda Civic squeezed between a Ford LTD wagon and a GMC pickup with a gun rack. Have you ever wondered how the cars on the outside reflect the people on the inside?



1. Charles Peugh, vice-president of anambulance and coach company

1960 Rolls-Bentley

I try to sell the best quality merchandise I can. I strive for excellence in everything with which I associate, and that includes my car. It’s the culmination of a childhood dream.

The car is like a velvet hammer when you drive it: smooth, yet with tremendous power.

You buy one of these autos because you want it, not because you need it. It’s strictly a toy, but it’s nice to have quality toys.



2. David Council, advertising executive1939 Plymouth

About a year ago I found this one in the paper. When I saw it, the thing was totally trashed out, but it just seemed to say “take me home.” I had a fit over it and restored it like new.

It’s a wonderful car on the road – it feels like you’re driving a Sherman tank. It took me a month to learn how to drive it, because one of the problems is you can’t see out.

I’ve never had so much attention. I’ll be stopped at a light and little old men will strike up conversations. People don’t feel you’re a threat. It’s a friendly car to own.



3. Vernon Brown, airline pilot

1957 Ford T-bird

I.always liked convertibles. Once you put the top down on this one it’s completely hidden, not standing out and ugly like on some. The term I’d use to describe driving it is “Pizzaz.” It’s an almost indescribable feeling. People just can’t take their eyes off it until you drive out of sight.

Another advantage is the investment. I’ve owned four or five T-birds and a couple of classic Corvettes. I reconditioned them all and did pretty well on the resale. I’ve already turned down $9000 for this one from a guy who wasn’t just blowing smoke rings.

It’s got nice, clean, classic lines – no ugly chrome work. It’s very pleasing. I like the prestige and joy of driving it.



4. Bob Folsom, mayor of DallasMercedes-Benz SLC andCadillac Fleetwood Brougham

I don’t own a boat or a plane, so I consider these cars my luxuries. When I need to drive some guest around or go on a long trip, I use the Cadillac because of its size. Around town, the Mercedes is smaller, easier to maneuver, but it still handles like a big car. Of course the only way I can justify the cost of the Mercedes is through its high resale value.



5. Jerry Rostader, mechanic

1965 GMC pickup

A big, American truck was what I needed so I got this one. It’s a GMC but I would have taken a Ford or a Chrysler. I don’t like foreign cars – they’re hard to work on and hard to get in and out of.

I use this one for hauling things around like blocks, cement and building materials. I even have a little farm. This truck looks like hell, but when you get it out there in those fields, it doesn’t matter much what it looks like.



6. Walter Dealey, marriage and familycounselor

1955 Messerschmidt

When I was just a toddler, I had a little kiddie car. The lady across the street backed out one day and smashed it into kindling. She replaced it with something that really wasn’t my kiddie car, and I think subconciously I’ve wanted to replace it ever since.

I bought my first Messerschmidt back in the fall of ’55 in New York. I literally ran the wheels off that one, and after I sold it I would have vivid dreams about driving it. Just like a dog, that car had a personality.

Now I get 60-80 miles per gallon on the little one-cylinder engine, but I can only get up to about 45 miles an hour. Of course I enjoy the funny looks I get. I’m a little timid, and this thing helps me meet new, interested people. Before I bought this one, my son said to me, “Pop, I want a car like nobody else has.” And that’s what I have.



7. Eliot Chapo, concertmaster for theDallas Symphony Orchestra 1975 Alfa Romeo

When I got ready to move from New York to here I was going to sell my car, another Alfa which I’d had since 1968. My wife told me not to- she said I’d miss it. I was touring with the Philharmonic in Russia at the time, and since she couldn’t drive a manual, I had to drive it to Dallas myself when I returned. I started to work the next day, but I’m glad I didn’t sell.

I’ve had several foreign cars, including an Alfa coupe and convertible. I think the ’71 coupe was the best overall performance car, but the sedan suits my needs right now.

The car is not stock – I’ve reworked the exhaust system, changed the head … it pumps out a little more power now. It really zips up. It’s quick. It’s a sporty kind of driving.



8. lola Johnson, channel 8 news anchor-person 1974 Chevrolet Corvette

I’m very sports-minded – sports clothes, cars, open air. The primary reason for buying a Corvette is that it is the only American sports car. Not many women drive one, but I didn’t want that to stop me.

I also like the T-top. I had two convertibles before and had about decided I should get away from them. Now I can just remove the roof panels and still have a roll bar.

I have a reputation for going too fast, but don’t print that. I don’t want the police to notice. To sum it up: I love it, I just love it. After three years I still get a big thrill out of just walking out and seeing it.

CLASS CARS

Philippe de Rothschild, Pierre Cardin, Jean Patou – across the world, there are certain names that connote excellence. Here are the ultimate, the vehicles of prestige, the cars that are class.



Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce

From the straight-eight P2 of 1924 to the Tipo 33ttl2 of 1975, Alfas have won 58 firsts in Grand Prix racing, eleven Mille Miglia victories and four world championships. The Spider Veloce is a direct descendant in that same racing tradition. The four-cylinder, 1962 cc. DOHC engine is paired with a five-speed overdrive transmission, plus fuel injection and disc brakes to deliver an outstanding performance. But despite its power, this sleek. Pininfarina-designed convertible is rated at 19 mpg city/27 highway. $9900.



BMW 630CSi

Town & Country magazine defined the term “Grand Touring” as a two-door car with considerable style and considerable performance and indicated this sedan as the best expression of the GT idea. Bavarian Motor Works combines four-wheel independent suspension, speed-related power steering, safety construction and a renowned three-liter engine to create an incredible driving machine. As for standard equipment, it is easier to list the only three options: automatic transmission, limited slip differential and electric sunroof. One innovative feature is a check-control system upon starting the car, which monitors points like brake lining wear and brake fluid level. $25,000.



Cadillac Seville

Size, luxury, design and craftsmanship – Cadillac is class from this side of the Atlantic. The 350-cu. in. fuel injected engine utilizes an on-board analog computer to regulate spark variation. The interior is famous for comfort, though some features on European cars such as leather seats are standard only on the Elegante model, which also offers duo-tone platinum and black finish, wire wheels and brushed chrome molding. The limousine is still available for about $21,000, but the newer, smaller Seville is almost as impressive for only $16,000.



Fiat 124 Sport Spider

It is inspiring to read the work of a well-paid copywriter: “Master craftsman Pininfarina designed it as a classic… and a classic it has become.” This sporty little convertible boasts a 1756-cc. twin overhead cam front mounted engine with rear wheel drive. Four-wheel disc brakes, worm and roller gear steering and Weber carburetion. $7000.



Ford Thunderbird

Today’s luxury T-bird has little in common with its sporty ancestor, yet it remains a big-selling model for Ford. TheTown Landau is one of several designpackages and includes a large group ofoptions as standard: Brushed aluminumroof tiara, accent-painted cast aluminumwheels, an interior luxury group and a22K gold finish plaque with the owner’sname are just a few. Or buy the basic carand select your own additions: leatherseats, electric moonroof, quadrasonictape player, 40-channel CB and so on.Depending on how much you add, theend result will be from $6000 up to twicethat or more.



Jaguar XJ-S

Sportier than the sedan models, this new Jag is a streamlined coupe with 2 + 2 seating. The fuel injected overhead cam V-12 may seem like a lot of cylinders, but the 326-cu. in. displacement is less than many domestic luxury cars. For $21,895, you can expect and receive a large number of “extras” included as standard,! such as four-wheel disc brakes, Dunlop steel-belted radials and an 18-warning, light monitoring system.



Lancia Beta Scorpion

In 1969, Fiat poured enough money into Lancia to salvage the company, gain control and implement the proper know how to get these classic cars back on the American market. The Scorpion is one of four models now available, this one with a center-placed, transversely mounted four-cylinder engine from the Fiat 124-and 131-series cars. Rear wheel drive is through twin drive shafts, and don’t overlook the controlled crushability of front and rear bodywork sections and the five coats of paint. S12,000.



Lincoln Continental Mark V

“Diamond Jubilee” are the magic words for Lincoln this year as they celebrate their 75th anniversary. And part of the celebration is the Diamond Jubilee Limited Edition Mark V. This “most luxurious production automobile we’ve ever built” includes such extras as: color coordination throughout in “Diamond Blue” or “Jubilee Gold”: interior leather appointments including a leather-bound owner’s manual and tool kit; 36 oz. Tiffany cut pile carpeting: beveled opera windows with a simulated diamond chip inset; and individual customer mono-grammed bodyside stripes. But that’s not all. Lincoln also features a designer series of Mark V’s coordinated to the specifications of Bill Blass, Hubert de Givenchy, Emilio Pucci and Cartier. S20,000.



Lotus Esprit

The next time you see a razor-sharp, futuristic sports car zip by you on the freeway, check to see if it’s a Lotus. Based in Hethel in Norfolk, the British company builds three models for this country including the Elite and Sprint. Designed by Georgetto Giugiaro, the mid-sized Esprit features a 16-valve, 2-liter 907 engine and a five-speed gearbox with “two-shaft, all-indirect cluster, which is integral with the spiral bevel final drive.” The aesthetic improvements in recent years have placed this car in the luxury level, but Lotus remains of the racing tradition, having won more Formula One Grand Prix races than any other motor vehicle manufacturer, $20,000.



Mercedes-Benz 450 SL

Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz whipped up a “Patent-Motorcar” in 1886 and the company has been turning out distinctive automobiles ever since. Today Mercedes-Benz markets 11 models, from the 240D diesel sedan for $ 12,762 up to the 6.9-liter sedan automatic for $41,444. The 450 SL is a two-seater sports convertible with the usual standard features like climate control. AM/FM stereo and velour carpeting. Electronically heated leather seats are optional. $24,725.



Oldsmobile Regency 98 Sedan

In 1977, Olds introduced their new generation of re-designed luxury cars – full-sized yet more space-, weight- and fuel-efficient. Despite this. Regency 98 remains faithful to its traditions of classy styling and an aristocratic interior. But the best news this year is the new diesel V-8, a 5.7 liter engine that nevertheless delivers 30-mpg on the highway and 21 in the city. The options could fill a book, but a fully equipped 98 will run around $10,500.



Panther J72

Upon first glance, this little roadster appears to be of Thirties vintage, perhaps third cousin of a Stutz Bearcat, twice removed. But this $30,000 convertible is actually a 78 model, built by Panther Westwinds Limited of England who have recently expanded their restoration and design operations into new car production. A De Ville Saloon and De Ville Convertible go for considerably more, both with the same classic design – but you’ll never find air conditioning, power steering and an AM/FM stereo on a real antique. The Autohaus is the exclusive Dallas Panther dealer.



Porsche Turbo Carrera

In an attempt to translate racing technology to the street, Porsche developed the Turbo, a commercial version of the Martini Porsche 935. The air cooled, six cylinder powerhouse is fuel injected with exhaust gas turbo charger, delivering 253 horses at 5500 RPM. But for all its racing HOT TIPS

Negotiating the obstacle course of new car buying can call for tricky maneuvering. Allow us to make the road a little less rough with a few hot tips – gems of advice gleaned from the suggestions of Dallas car dealers.



1. Know your needs. Walk onto any dealer’s lot in town and you can drive off in any one of a bewildering array of models and styles – anything from a tiny Italian racer with a shoe horn as standard equipment to a huge American monster that could use a couple of front seat phonebooks. To find your specific car, give some thought beforehand to your transportation requirements, whether they be fuel economy, comfort, room or styling.

Even in a given class of autos, the alternatives are legion: “Take sports cars for example. If it’s performance you want, look at the engine size, axle ratio, power, aerodynamics, etc. If you’re just out to have fun, don’t worry about those items too much and instead look at esthetic appeal, seating, convenience, luxuries, etc. Consider questions like is it to be a primary or secondary car? Is maneuvering and parking more significant than size and comfort? Which family member will be driving it? Whatever the answers, intended use ought to be the overriding concern.” – Will Klaus, Precision Motors.



2. Notice car design. Once you’ve batted around terms like McPher-son strut suspension, recirculating ball steering and port-type fuel injection, you can get down to considering what really sells: the styling. For years the Europeans have just about cornered the market on tasteful car design, but Detroit is finally coming around and the 1978 crop shows a definite influence from across the Atlantic. Notice the similarities between GM’s Cadillac Seville, Chevrolet’s Monte Carlo and Olds Cutlass Supreme and Ford’s Granada and Mercury Monarch. Simple lines, a proportioned body and no-nonsense arrangement of head and tail lights are common to these models, getting away from the pneumatic look and boat-like cars of the past. These elegant creatures do not require flashy trim and “exterior packages” to replace what thoughtful styling is supposed to do.

Compact cars like the Chevy Monza and Ford Mustang II also hold together nicely from any angle. Ford even imports a car they manufacture in Europe, the Fiesta, which looks something like the second-generation VW’s. The main point is, classics like the Mercedes have never had to sell themselves with vinyl tops, landau roofs and opera windows, and American car makers are beginning to understand why.



3. Choose a reputable dealer. Now that you have a car in mind, the search for a dealer begins. Obviously, the advice of friends and neighbors can be of help. Another guide is a dealer’s community reputation and how long he’s been around. A person can’t burn his customers for long and still have many left, so a well-established business must be treating somebody right.

One other point: Watch out for the hard-line sells. “Don’t believe a dealer who tells you he’ll be losing money on a sale. No one loses money that way because we’re all in this to make at least some profit. Also watch out for salesmen who make outlandish claims about their particular brand. I sell Fords, but it would be an insult to your intelligence to tell you Fords are vastly superior to other American cars. The truth is they’re all about the same level of quality. Where you buy is just as important as what you buy. Most dealers want to do you right, but some do more right than others. – Joe Pollard, Eagle Lincoln.



4. Location and services. You’ve heard them – the car ads luring you out of town to save a couple of C-notes by a mere 100-mile drive. You might find a bargain, but consider the negatives before you zoom off for east Texas. A long-distance relationship with your dealer can cost a lot of gas and time, and you may wish you had bought from that guy over on Lemmon.

Another gem of advice is described in that famous quote, “Ask instead what your dealer can do for you.” Is he a full-service businessman with parts, body shop, financing, leasing, etc.? How about his inventory? A large selection of cars usually means you can own one faster. And check out the service department as best you can. As one dealer pointed out, saving $100 at the wrong place can cost you ten times that in repairs over the next few years.



5. The Salesman. Once you have a dealer in mind, you’re ready to confront the salesman. Fortunately, the days of the fast-talking hard-seller are just about over. Salesmen now stay longer at one business, depending on steady customers. The best way to insure this return crowd is by meeting the customer’s needs. Brow-beating him into an electric license plate defroster is hardly worth it if it drives him off for good.

“We always train our own people from scratch – no more white shoes and sunglasses. Since you can tell a lot about a place by the appearance of its salemen, we try to look professional. It reflects how the management feels.” – Bob Short, Butts Oldsmobile.

“Ask your serviceman. He can usually suggest the best salesman to deal with on your next purchase. And tell the salesman your needs. He’s probably the best qualified to suggest the exact type of car to fulfill them. He’s out for the repeat business by taking care of his customers.” – Jack Hooker, Van Winkle Mercedes.



6. Taking notes. Start with your basic car, slap on all the options and it’s not impossible to double the price. That’s where a pen and paper and a little quick calculation can come in handy. Note the base price and determine what each piece of equipment will cost above that. Dealer preparation charges and tax, title and license fees will further inflate the bill, so discuss these beforehand as well. Obtaining detailed written price quotes early in the process can prevent misunderstanding and disappointment later on.



7. Alternatives. Keep an open mind to possibilities you may never have considered. For example, leasing may be the answer for a 30,000 mile-a-year driver, though it’s not so good for an around-the-town family car. Question your salesman about the pros and cons, and ask an accountant for tax law information. Another alternative is diesel power, an innovation on several domestic models this year which could save you money on fuel and maintenance. Before you buy, look at every possibility – you may even decide you don’t need a car at all.



8. The used car.That old clunker usually commands more money if you sell it yourself, but it’s sometimes nice to avoid the hassle. If you go for a trade-in, a little time well spent can make quite a difference: “First of all, clean up that old car. Wash it, wax it, polish the chrome and hubcaps and clean up the engine as best you can. Get a tune-up so the motor sounds its best. If the car looks good when you bring it in you might end up a couple hundred ahead.” – Carl Sewell, Sewell Village Cadillac.



9. The end. As you prowl the glass showrooms and asphalt lots of Dallas, try to keep these hints in mind. Though not the definitive guide to car buying, our nine easy steps do point out a direction: A few hours of careful thought beforehand will translate into miles of hassle-free driving further down the road.