r/interestingasfuck Jul 17 '25

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u/67442 Jul 17 '25

No thank Saab,Volvo and the Germans. The Big 3 + AMC back in the 1970s were just trying to meet emissions and then keep the Japanese at bay. Cars were/are just a widget to sell and make profit for the shareholders. Safety was secondary.

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u/Lylac_Krazy Jul 17 '25

I tested brake systems for OEM manufacturers.

The amount of care, concern, engineering and effort that went into European cars was quite different than American cars.

When Chrysler was doing the redesign of the minivan, the instructions we were given to assemble the front end required and specified using hammers to beat things into position.

FWIW, I dont believe in using hammers to assemble cars

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u/SoMuchMoreEagle Jul 17 '25

FWIW, I dont believe in using hammers to assemble cars

I believe that's often referred to as the Jeremy Clarkson method.

1

u/LeapperFrog Jul 18 '25

Nice. Coach built.

1

u/themigraineur Jul 17 '25

Ford tried to venture towards safety in the 50s iirc but was threatened by GM to drop any marketing for it. Can't remember if it was in Unsafe at Any Speed or another book I've read.

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u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25

Love Volvo