One of the joys of repairing an old car is replacing old, crusty bolts with new and shiny ones. Or, at least I love looking at fresh hardware. That is, unless you find out that your hardware is just a little too thick.
Jason wrote about how the bolt that he got for his Citroën 2CV had a bit of unexpected thickness. A. Barth:
Heh – The Battle of the Unexpected Bulge
or
NO ONE EXPECTS THE SHANK IS IMPRECISION!
Rich Hobbs:
Apparently there will be no Shank Redemption!!!
Sorry, couldn’t resist!
A. Barth:
The Flaw Shank Redemption?
Dan Roth wrote a deep dive about California’s so-called “tire ban.” A. Barth scores COTD again:
It’s officially the Replacement Tire Efficiency Program (RTEP)
Everyone has differing thoughts on the program – might as well call it IMHOTEP.
Matt wrote about the Nissan Armada Nismo and its shifter. James McHenry:
Someone get ahold of early ’60s Chrysler, pushbutton transmissions are back!
…also, the bodykit seems to be returning this vehicle to Van. Is Van the Crab of cars?
7Cincinnatus:
Someone alert Torch. You’ve stumbled upon perhaps a great truth that needs to be investigated fully.
James McHenry:
I mean…
Hatchback: small sedan/coupe but Van.
Station Wagon: large sedan but Van.
Shooting Brake: sportscar but Van.
Pickup Truck: Van in denial.
Pickup Truck w/ topper: starting to accept its Van-ness.
SUV: near full acceptance of Van.
CUV: all of that but it’s large sedan/station wagon evo chain instead.
Minivan: Van but small.
Full size Van: the apex archetype.
Bus: really big Van for people.
Tractor-trailer: really really big Van for stuff.
Stephen Walter Gossin gave us his story about what it’s like being a mobile mechanic, as well as what happened to his career. Jack Trade:
That’s an insanely bad-looking tire, no less…did it give you a sense of what was coming, or a “can’t be as bad as this.”?
So sorry to hear about your career loss. It’s little practical consolation I know, but your time spent and the expertise developed shows you were truly skilled in the craft of your work. They can take the job from you, but they can’t take that you were a professional. And in a world where amateurism is now the norm, that’s something to be very proud of. Thank you for the example you set; helps keep the rest of us inspired.
Your philosophy would make the stoics proud. Epictetus tells us everything has two handles – one with which we can pick it up, one with which we can’t – and counsels us to choose the right handle. Sounds like you did.
I’ve said it before, but the Notorious S.W.G. is one of my heroes, and somehow, he continues to inspire even more!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Top image graphic: Jason Torchinsky
The post When The Bolt Is Girthier Than Expected: COTD appeared first on The Autopian.
