MotorTrend April 1975

I have three questions. Where was the national media when the government, citizen Nader and others began to wage war on the automobile? How is it that practically no one ever challenged proposed automotive Legislation or where it might eventually lead? Why was it that no more than a handful of reporters ever bothered to verify what common sense must have told them was at least a fitful subject for discussion? The comment has been made in the recent past that this country was full of statesmen in 1776 and 200 years later we are lucky to find one. might paraphrase that to include investigative media, as well. Oh yes, you may say, “But what about the Watergate scandals and, more recently, CIA disclosures?” Well, what about them? The fact…

These eleven racing superstars invite you to join them in a unique national Club devoted to the entire field of motor sports. It’s called the Goodyear Motor Sports Club. This one-of-a-kind club has been designed for both participants and fans, to fill a growing need in motor sports. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has observed that, as motor sports have grown, it has become more difficult for an enthusiast to get on the “inside” or to easily keep up with all the fastpaced developments in this diverse sport. That’s why the Goodyear Motor Sports Club has been formed: to provide its members with inside information, special services and exciting activities related to motor sports. Join the Superstars by joining the Club. As the Board of Advisors, they will be…

DARK AGES The signing by President Ford of the Federal Aid Highway Amendments Act of 1974 into law, (which makes the 55 mph speed limit permanent) ushers a new dark age into American auto travel. It can only be hoped that in better times, when our nation improves its levels of energy self-sufficiency and when current passions, pressures, fears and tensions about the energy crisis and dramatic reduction in the traffic death toll subside, some session of Congress and a different President will vote to repeal the 55 mph speed limit or at least allow a 60, preferrably a 65 mph limit on Interstate highways, turnpikes and freeways. Richard MamchesMiami Beach, Florida CRUDE ANSWERS When I saw the Rosewood Jaguar in your February issue I almost died. I think it’s…

Death Is Down, Bumpers Are Up and a New Engine Is Out There were fewer people killed on the highways in 1974 than in any year since 1963. Preliminary figures compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration put the total deaths for 1974 at 45,400. This is down 9400 from 1973. The reduction is being attributed to the 55 mph speed limit and the curtailment of driving forced by the energy crisis. However, even with the limit still in effect, deaths are creeping up again. In January of 1974 there were 23.1 percent fewer fatalities than in January of 1973. In the following months the difference continued to be over 20 percent, with the best improvement coming in March of 1974. In that month there were 26.2 percent fewer…

INJECTED AUDIS When the folks at Porsche/Audi told us there wouldn’t be any visual changes in their 1975 models, they understated their case. Get past the anti-ding-and-bump molding on the side of the 1975 edition of the Fox and you’ve got it handled. There have been some additional interior accessories added to the Fox to more sharply define it both in luxury and price from its mechanical twin, Volkswagen’s Dasher. Last year, they even shared the same base price in some markets. If you’re looking for newness, you’ll find it under the Audi’s hood, where a new continuous fuel injection system has been added to both cars. In the 100 LS, it boosts the horsepower from 91 to 95 and managed 18 and 28 miles per gallon, respectively, in the…

1974 was a year of desperation. 1 Millions of motorists all across the country reported late to work because a good portion of their early morning hours were spent playing a new game called “Find The Fuel.” No one felt much like playing, particularly when the payoff might be as little as an eight- or ten-gallon drink, maximum. The motorist was rightly outraged. There could be no winner in such a game. But the worst was yet to come. The government quickly upped the ante of desperation by responding in kind with another desperate move: The 55 mph speed limit was enacted by an unpopular and essentially inoperative administration with the avowed intent of conserving precious gasoline. The government also undertook the task of printing millions upon millions of rationing…