Thread: Cars on the streets of LA

Originally Posted by Sprint

damn..... a wrecked Aussie caprice come to grief already...... crash testing?

Is that a Caprice? I didn't look too closely at what it was. I was under the impression that it was being displayed as a horrible warning to others.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Is that a Caprice? I didn't look too closely at what it was. I was under the impression that it was being displayed as a horrible warning to others.

had a look over it initially and from what i could make of it, several details (seats, rear side fixed glass, door handle and taillight profile) appeared the same as a caprice, but it turns out that its actually a Chevrolet Impala

Here a few more impressive '70's cars. The green Chev was in the car park at Speedway Motors, Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cadillac convertible and the big Mercury wagon were in Los Angeles.

The yanks really did lose it after the muscle car era didnt they.
Love the red vette but would prefer some mopar power - charger/ challenger/ cuda/ superbird etc.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

The yanks really did lose it after the muscle car era didnt they.
Love the red vette but would prefer some mopar power - charger/ challenger/ cuda/ superbird etc.

You mean like this one taken at Milwaukee.

I love those pre-76 big Cadillacs. The last of the big cruisers before bureaucrats started designing our cars. A mate has a 71 convertible, bright red with white leather interior and white top. I call it the Pimpmobile. A lovely comfortable and very fast cruiser. Last year he upgraded to the 500 cubic inch engine with a few mods.

Brian, did you see many trucks (prime movers) during your visit? Do they use B combinations over there?

I spot the occasional Peterbilt (392's) on the F3 freeway but haven't see a White since I was in my teens - 25+ years ago.

So, if you noticed them, were they domestic models, or has the European influence been a factor as it has over here.

Love the photos, and even more the fact they're being used on roads.


Matt.

Originally Posted by mudmouse

Brian, did you see many trucks (prime movers) during your visit? Do they use B combinations over there?

I spot the occasional Peterbilt (392's) on the F3 freeway but haven't see a White since I was in my teens - 25+ years ago.

So, if you noticed them, were they domestic models, or has the European influence been a factor as it has over here.

Love the photos, and even more the fact they're being used on roads.


Matt.

On the West Coast it is Peterbilt, Peterbilt, Peterbilt. followed by Freightliner then International & Kenworth. Very few Mack or Western Star in the west. The mix changes as one crosses the country. More Western Star seen in the far Northern areas and more Mack in the East. Overall the heavy truck stats are Freightliner, Inter, then Peterbilt & KW about even. One does see a few Volvo particularly in the east. No heavy truck maker still has a high COE model. All heavies now are bonnetted trucks, mostly with large integral sleepers and air shields. The only COE trucks one sees are small Japanese trucks.

The specialised garbage collection truck market is split between Autocar and Mack with low cab forward designs. Autocar (owned by Volvo and part of Volvo USA White-GMC group) use the White "New Family" cab as used on the White Road Expeditor, Road Boss 2, and Road Commander 2.

White closed down in 1981-82 when the remnants were purchased by Volvo and became integrated with GMC heavies, also purchased by Volvo.

No B doubles but plenty of short doubles (2 x 20 footers) and short triples in the western states where they are allowed. Long doubles in the western states, even being pulled around downtown LA. Pusher axles (silly wheels) are popular on body trucks, sometimes 3 or 4 extra axles. Apparently a body truck can gross 66,000 lbs with the right axle centres and pavement contact area hence the extra axles. Super singles are needed on the steer to achieve this and commonly a means of jacking weight to the front axle.

Semi-trailers are generally 45' with closed bogies slid forward so the centre of the rear axle is about 8' forward of the rear of the trailer. A few widespreads are seen, usually 50 footers.

Not exactly LA, but on Mulberry St. in Little Italy, Lower Manhattan.

There is an old neighbourhood bar nearby in which the principal decor is autographed photos of Mafia members drinking there back to the 1930's, and, of course, one of Frankie and Dino.