QuestionQUESTION: I am an author. For my new book, I need the identity of two vehicles involved in a (fictional) accident on route from Boston to New York City. You can choose any two vehicles you want, but read the following "rules":
1. They both had to be fairly common in 1963. So a submarine/car is not what I'm looking for.
2. They can be a 1962 model or perhaps a 1957 model. Your choice!
3. One can not be an Edsel.
4. The radius of the tires of the two vehicles must be different, without any possible overlap. What I mean is, if one used R16 tires, the other must have been fitted with R17 or R15 tires - never R15's!
Can you help?
ANSWER: You would be safe with Chevy between 62 and 63 nearly 2 million full-size Chevys were sold. Impalla was by far a best seller and remains a record setter.
Problem now is tires. Tires could be changed out for bigger or smaller, in fact even rims, in some cases could be altered. Most common and original tire size on most chevys was 14 inch tires, however 15's and 16's were an option
I pulled out some of my old car books and I do know the 1960 Chrysler Valiant road on 6.5 X13 inch tires
The 1958 Buick ( all models - century,estatewagon and roadmaster ) road on 6 X 15 inch tires
hope that helps
good luck
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QUESTION: I'll use the 1960 Chrysler Valiant and a 1958 Buick (some model) because their standard tires are so different. Thank you.
My main character will be able to determine which car was swerving wildly, and which car was speeding before the accident occured using a slow oil leak and freshly painted white lines as clues. Care to guess how he did that?
ANSWER: white tire marks through fresh paint, oil leak from an "older vehicle"
just a guess, look forward to read my signed copy!
good luck!
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QUESTION: Keep answering these burning question, and your signed copy is assured. You will already be credited (not by name, but by credentials) in my book. How should I describe your level of expertise? long-time car enthusiast, or something more exact, like a former Mercedes technician?
Here's the answer to my car mystery: Both cars left marks after driving through wet paint, and the speed of a vehicle can not be determined from them (I don't think), but what can be determined is the circumference (and therefore the R) of the tires that drove recklessly. The speed of the reckless vehicle can be determined from the oil leak - here's how: I'm assume the oil was dripping at a regular rate (perhaps 1 drop per second). By measuring the distance between oil drops on the pavement, one can calculate the car's speed.
Comments?
The website of my previous book is http://www.ProfConundrum.com . This new book is a sequel to Professor Conundrum Mysteries!
AnswerI would agree with your answer!
the only key on the oil --- hot oil drips faster than cold oil, perhaps you must say that the engine temp was steady at 175 degrees...on some old engines, it does not drip unless it is hot!
Me... I like to consider myself an ol car buff with a specialty in renovating vintage mercedes
Great stuff and great website and idea
Ron
