Note to readers: This column marks the 10th anniversary of the danjedlicka.com “Road Tests and Classic Cars” web site. 

Q. General Motors sold approximately half the vehicles in America in the 1960s, but has fallen way behind in sales in the international auto industry. What happened? — E.N. (via Internet) 

A.  General Motors now ranks Number 4 in international vehicle sales behind Volkswagen, Toyota Motor and the alliance of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA. GM, which has undergone global downsizing, has become significantly smaller under Chief Executive Mary Barra. She has closed, shrunk or sold unprofitable business units around the world. GM’s goal now is making more money, not being the largest vehicle producer.



Q. I recall that Subaru entered the United States with a laughable tiny 360 model ‘micro car” in the late 1960s but eventually followed up with much better models and has become pretty popular. So why does it still mention the 360 model? I would think that car would be an embarrassment to it. — P.R. (vis internet)

A.  Introduced in 1968, the 360 cost only $1,297, or about $400 less than a Volkswagen Beetle. But the 360 was tiny and just had a small two-cylinder engine. It took the car a painful 37 seconds to even reach 50 m.p.h. It was so slow and hard to see by other drivers that I almost got into accidents when I first drove it on a busy Chicago expressway after leaving downtown Chicago. However, the 360 is still part of Subaru’s auto show circuit, along with the automaker’s current models, to show how far Subaru has come in 50 years here. Subaru was the first to offer an affordable auto four-wheel-drive (later just called “all-wheel drive”) system, which was largely responsible for putting it on the map, especially in snow-belt areas. Subaru also came up with the all-wheel-drive modified Legacy model station wagon that became known as the Outback and called “the world’s first sport-utility wagon.” Such vehicles, called “crossovers” or “SUVs” now are all over the place. The Outback was a hit. Subaru also introduced its small 1980s Justy model that marked the U.S. debut of the now widely used continuously variable automatic transmission. Not that Subaru didn’t make mistakes along the way. One was the exceptional 230-horsepower six-cylinder SVX sports car. But the SVX cost far more than Subaru’s highest-priced model. The racy looking SVX didn’t fit with Subaru’s far more pedestrian models and eventually was dropped.

Q. In my dreams, I’d love to buy a fast, gorgeous 1950s Jaguar D-Type sports/racing car that won so many races. Trouble is, it costs many millions. However, I hear that Jaguar is building 25 D-Types that are said to cost considerably less than the originals. Do I still have a shot at getting a D-Type? — J.A. (via Internet)

A. Jaguar Classic, which is a Jaguar branch that makes limited batches of authentically reproduced collector vehicles, is making 25 D-Types. Automotive News says the cars will be almost indistinguishable from the race-winning 1955 D-Type. There are reportedly 25 serial numbers assigned in-period for the D-Type that Jaguar never built. The cars likely will cost more than $1.4 million each. Still, the 77 1955-57 D-Types built are valued at $6,523,00, says the Sports Car Market collector car guide. So, if you’ve got the money, the D-Type Jaguar now is building is a bargain. It will be brand new with an authentic Jaguar serial number—not a battle-scarred or rebuilt old D-Type. Alas, though, I’ll bet rich collectors will pay far more than the car’s list price.



Q. I’m looking for a 1960s Shelby Cobra sports car and wonder If I should get one with a 427-cubic-inch Ford V-8 or a  428-cubic-inch Ford V-8. — J.H. (via Internet)

A. Both engines are more different than the cubic-inch displacements might suggest. Get one with the 427-cubic-inch 425-horsepower V-8, which had a pair of Holley 600 carburetors and essentially was a racing engine. The 390-horsepower “428” V-8 was a Thunderbird Police Interceptor engine with a single four-barrel carburetor. It was put in some Cobras because the “427” V-8 was in short supply. But Ford took care of Cobra buyers with the “428” who complained they didn’t get the “427” engine and made sure they got it. Actually, the “428” made the Cobra easier to drive on roads and still made it blindingly fast. However, an owner of a Cobra with the “428” must deduct 20 percent from the car’s price, says the Sports Car Market guide.



Back to Q & A main section