And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
How many today even know what a clutch is, let alone how to work one?
Another method was to park pointed down hill so you didn't need it pushed. Extra points if you carried a long screwdriver to short out the terminals on your starter because the solenoid was busted.
Getting harder to do but I always drive a standard transmission for the very reasons listed above. Probably have to keep my 2004 running the rest of my life. At 72 that's probably doable.
Saw Meatloaf at the Civic Centre in Ottawa a very long time ago. That was the concert where he slid off the stage and did himself a serious injury. Don't think he was ever the same after. One of my friends quipped "He does that at every concert!. Nope. Passed on 4 years ago. Steve_in_Ottawa
Twice, with two different people, I and a buddy had to push a Beetle to start it. Once, the driver didn’t understand the method, we we were pushing the car with the clutch engaged. Words were exchanged, some of which I can’t post.
I would use that technique to roll start a 1978 Harley Davidson Electraglide (I know, what an ironic name badge) as a youthful 20 sumpin. This is not an option for me, ar 66 years of age.
Early one Sunday morning in Gaeta, Italy I came upon a stalled car in town. I don't speak Italian but as far as I could tell the son was trying to get his elderly mother to Mass. After waving our hands around for a couple minutes I went bumper to bumper and got him up to about 15 mph and backed off. He popped it, waved, and drove off. My kids thought it was a hoot.
Try doing that with a '59 Mercedes diesel tour bus. Broke starter, a long way from home. Some one tried to steal said starter, and we didn't notice for a couple days.
For me, a bit different; I had a Suzuki Samurai (early 90’s, don’t ask!) and I’d hang my left foot out the door, push backwards against the ground to get the car rolling, then pop it into reverse. Worked every time!
A buddy in HS had a VW Beetle and never had a battery in it.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I drove our bug from Cincinnati to Los Angeles with a non-working starter.
DeletePush started my automatic 68 ford galaxie once. No one told me I couldn't. Found out with that certain transmission you can.
ReplyDeleteAnother method was to park pointed down hill so you didn't need it pushed. Extra points if you carried a long screwdriver to short out the terminals on your starter because the solenoid was busted.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Brother.
DeleteLooks like the cops are busting up the kegger. Bummer...
ReplyDeleteGetting harder to do but I always drive a standard transmission for the very reasons listed above. Probably have to keep my 2004 running the rest of my life. At 72 that's probably doable.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived in the mountains, I'd only have a manual transmission.
DeleteEven 'special order', as automatics burn up pretty quick in the hills.
Absolutely! Had a 67 Bug…reverse was me pushing until I could swing it around to start it going forward.
ReplyDelete71 yr old boomer here. Yup, been there, done that. And after having spent paradise by the dashboard light.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the greatest album ever. He lost weight. He’s not the same. Great singing requires mass. Ask Pavarotti when you get to heaven.
DeleteSaw Meatloaf at the Civic Centre in Ottawa a very long time ago. That was the concert where he slid off the stage and did himself a serious injury. Don't think he was ever the same after. One of my friends quipped "He does that at every concert!. Nope. Passed on 4 years ago. Steve_in_Ottawa
DeleteTwice, with two different people, I and a buddy had to push a Beetle to start it. Once, the driver didn’t understand the method, we we were pushing the car with the clutch engaged. Words were exchanged, some of which I can’t post.
ReplyDeleteEspecially if you've done it by yourself.
ReplyDeleteI would use that technique to roll start a 1978 Harley Davidson Electraglide (I know, what an ironic name badge) as a youthful 20 sumpin. This is not an option for me, ar 66 years of age.
ReplyDeleteBayouwulf
Early one Sunday morning in Gaeta, Italy I came upon a stalled car in town. I don't speak Italian but as far as I could tell the son was trying to get his elderly mother to Mass. After waving our hands around for a couple minutes I went bumper to bumper and got him up to about 15 mph and backed off. He popped it, waved, and drove off. My kids thought it was a hoot.
ReplyDeletethe wave is international code.
DeleteI had a beater that had a 4:10 rear and I had to dump it in second to start it.
ReplyDeleteTry doing that with a '59 Mercedes diesel tour bus.
ReplyDeleteBroke starter, a long way from home.
Some one tried to steal said starter, and we didn't notice for a couple days.
used bug, high school, 70-71. I could pop-clutch start it by pushing it with my left foot while sitting in the driver seat.
ReplyDeleteFor me, a bit different; I had a Suzuki Samurai (early 90’s, don’t ask!) and I’d hang my left foot out the door, push backwards against the ground to get the car rolling, then pop it into reverse. Worked every time!
ReplyDeleteI drove my 1959 Ford yesterday. Standard transmission
ReplyDelete