I spotted this duo—a latter-day Ocho and a ’57 Chev—at a transmission shop walk distance from my office. Assuming they’re both in for rather more than a fluid change, it’s not hard for me to guess which one I’d probably rather pay the repair bill for.
That’s an easy call for me as well.
The 57 brings me back to when I was 16. I was buying one of 2 cars. Either a 62 Pontiac Laurentian 2 door hard top (Canadian) or a 57 Chevy 2 door post. Neither car really had an engine but bodies were good on both. The 62 was $25.00 and the 57 was $75. My frugality evidently got the better of my and the Pontiac won the bid. Probably not today’s choice but I liked both cars so I can’t say I’m sorry either. But….. why didn’t I spend the $100.00 and get the best of both worlds….. The one that got away.
As a pretty serious lifetime car guy, with a New Beetle in the family now for over 20 years, and the ability to count past ten in Spanish, I had NEVER heard the term “Ocho” to describe Herbie or any Beetle. I had to look it up … duh. Thanks for the education.
I was wondering that too – what is an Ocho? I may be missing something obvious but I couldn’t find it when I looked it up either.
In “Herbie Goes Bananas,” Herbie befriends an orphan named Paco. Early in their partnership, Paco gives Herbie the nickname “Ocho” because he can’t understand Herbie talking through his horn. Ocho is the Spanish word for the number 8; purportedly because the digits 5 and 3 in Herbie’s racing number, 53, were combined to produce “8” (5+3 = 8) and possibly to rhyme with “Vocho”, the Beetle’s colloquial name in Mexico.
-lifted from Wikipedia
Yep, and the joke (such as it is) isn’t revealed til the very end of the movie, when one of the grownups asks Paco “Why do you keep calling the car Ocho? Ocho means eight; can’t you read?” And Paco replies “Sure! Five and three are eight!”.
Ah! Thank you.
Herbie was referred to as Ocho by one of the characters in “Herbie Goes Bananas”.
I guess I’m the only other one who remembers Herbie goes bananas to understand Ocho!
BelAir for me! Has just the right level of dust I like to keep on the surface too 🙂
…but the taillight lenses will need to be replaced with ones that haven’t had those dumb blue dots installed.
Ever so fashionable once, probably before the current owner was born. Kind of a custom trope.
Especially given the lens area is so small, I imagine these would be illegal now?
This being an aftermarket modification done by the owner, it’s a matter for state/provincial/territorial regulation. If the regs say anything about it, they usually say blue dots are only legal on pre-[some year around 1960] vehicles. Legal or not, they’re one of the more stupider ideas. “I made my brake lights look purple, so they work less!”.
I legitimately had no idea blue dots were a thing until now
We can only hope that the Chevy isn’t equipped with a first-year Turboglide. 😂
New Beetles could be had in electric blue and 57 Chevys could be had in silver, so it appears that these are wearing each others’ paint jobs?
I would choose the Chivverlay as well. I have never driven a Tri-5 and would like to do so. The experience simply has to be better than in the 61-64s I have, er, not enjoyed.
Powerglide for the win!
My ’57 had the cast iron Powerglide. Finding someone today familiar with it may be a problem. With the non-stock color, straight dual exhausts and wide rear tires, my bet is that it has a TH350 or 700R4 behind a generic crate 350.
Chevy for sure its 5K minimum spend for a VW group tranny rebuild here and they all get that tradein time death rattle,
The apprentice could probably rebuild the old powerglide blindfolded with one arm tied behind his back.
Meanwhile, the rest if the staff are working on the Veedub.
I’m thinking the Chev’s Muncie 3-speed needs only the usual low-reverse slider It’ll be out the door in 45 minutes.
@ Jim ;
Wasn’t the Chevies manual box made by the Saginaw Gear Division ? .
When I was in high school a boob loved ’57 Chevies and his uncle ran a junkyard, each time he’s get drunk and crash yet another one his uncle fixed him up with another undented $40 two door ’57 Chevy…
“ocho” ~ not to be confused with “pocho”, er I’ll stop now .
-Nate
The 3-speed box with the tiny side cover and low-reverse slider on a sleeve, was officially known as Muncie SM318.
Unofficially it was aka “Munchie” lol
Primarily a product of the the namesake GM Division located at Muncie Indiana.
Were 318s ever built at other locations, or by other Divisions?
No doubt it’s possible.
I looked with a magnifying glass, couldn’t see any at the shipping docks. 🙂
The “magnifying glass” comment was referencing an image that apparently didn’t make it through the upload process to be attached.
Image showed an old aerial view of Saginaw plant.
Thank you Jim ;
I the past I remember rebuilding / overhauling many of them .
Good trannies IMO .
Being able to flip that large sliding first/reverse gear $aved many a farmer $eriou$ S .
Prevented lots of beaters from getting junked too .
Maybe Paul can help you post that Saginaw plant image when he gets back….
I still have one of those side loader three speed with over drive trannies in my back yard, I hate to see good stuff so in the scrap bin when Hot Rodders change up .
I don’t expect I’ll ever use it now, maybe I can find a local Low Rider who still appreciates stock and over drive .
-Nate