Here’s another installment of my small(ish) cars with big trailers series. In this case, the car isn’t all that small, and the trailer not all that big. But I’m drawn to documenting each of these combinations, even if they aren’t always the most optimistic of scenarios, as these folks are clearly living in this old trailer.
The VIN on this one says it’s a 1993 and has the 3.3 L V6, so at least it’s not the venerable Iron Duke. Or Tech IV, by that time. Oh wait, by 1993, that was past its era. The standard four appears to have been the 2.2 L Chevy “122” pushrod four, the evolution of the venerable Cavalier’s original engine. It was rated at 110 hp, the same as the Tech IV, but undoubtedly had less torque.
Nice old S-10 Blazer across the street, to add to the vintage atmosphere.
Time to move along. It’s now had its 15 seconds of fame.
Its a double axle trailer. If it also has trailer brakes, towing with the Ciera isn’t too dangerous, just really slow. But I wouldn’t do it.
I’ve seen worse, like a 28 ft trailer towed by a late 90s Seville.
At least the Seville would’ve had a V8 (though I’d be hesitant to tow with a Northstar).
That’d be an unhappy torque converter clutch. The 4T80e was pretty tough, but the converter clutches really weren’t up to being between a heavy car and powerful engine anyway.
Back in 1966 our next door neighbor bought a 28’ Airstream trailer that was beyond the towing capabilities of his Rambler Ambassador. His new tow vehicle was a ‘66 Chrysler Town and Country wagon with the heavy duty trailering package and a 440 TNT. He said towing was never a problem, even pulling the big Airstream through the Rockies.
Interestingly the ‘66 T & C was replaced by a new T & C in 1973, a vehicle he said was far inferior to the ‘66. Having ridden in both, I agree. The ‘66 was built like a bank vault with heavy chrome everywhere on the dash. And, the 440 TNT put out 365 HP. The ‘73 was cheaply finished with a Plymouth like interior and its 440 was far less potent.
How boring and ordinary these used to be. I am starting to miss them, at least a little.
I wish I could like or even respect the A-bodies, but my in-laws experience with a late ’80s Buick Century sort of set my opinion. I think it was reliable enough, but it just didn’t exude Buickness. It felt cheap and insubstantial, with vague handling, a soft but jiggly ride, and unsupportive seating. It probably had the 4-cylinder engine, too. The only thing special that I can recall was that the passenger in front had a temperature control. That’s it.
That’s about as good as an A body got. Later production Buick/Olds had great quality, the Lansing built Buick based 90 degree 3.3L was smooth and powerful. I’ll take one in Burnt Umber with the factory applied Tru-Coat…….
I cannot help but be moved, especially at this moment in time.
A ’60’s family’s recreational van as America put men on the moon with an ’80’s machine of immense drabness as America began to drift is now someone’s home under bare trees on the street in winter, 2021.
But enough!
Winter passes, the sun always comes back, in the same way the goodness of the vast majority always does prevail. The thing we call hope is actually based on experience of that.
An’ this house just ain’t no home,
Anytime she goes away.
Bill Withers