[VAC] Re: "air guitar" Seriously?

["Kevin D. Allen" <kallen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Marc!

Finding a vehicle in the 1960s - 1970s era that would meet your towing
expectations as well as your economy expectations will be impossible or
nearly impossible.  Even today, you would be hard pressed to find a modern
tow vehicle (other than a diesel) that would meet your economy expectations.

I have towed with a variety of vehicles in the era that you have inquired
about with the following statistics:

1965 Dodge Coronet, 383 c.i. V8, 3.73 gears, automatic - - solo 12 to 15 MPG
towing, 9 to 12 MPG.  (4,000 pound travel trailer)  <4,000 pound trailer tow
rating>

1969 Chevrolet C20 pickup, 350 c.i., 4.10 gears, automatic - - solo 9 to 12
MPG, towing 8 to 20 MPG.  (5,000 pound travel trailer)  <6,000 pound trailer
tow rating>

1971 Buick Sportwagon, 350 c.i., 3.23 gears, automatic - - solo 11 to 15
MPG, towing 8 to 13 MPG.  (4,000 pound travel trailer)  <5,000 pound trailer
tow rating>

1975 Pontiac Granville Brougham Convertible, 455 c.i., 3.23 gears,
automatic - - solo 9 to 12 MPG, towing 8 to 11 MPG.  (4,000 pound travel
trailer)   <6,000 pound trailer tow rating>

This is my guess for my current vintage tow vehicle project:

    1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, 501 c.i., automatic, 3.13 final
drive, - - solo 8 to 11 MPG <known>; probable towing 7 to 9 MPG <estimated>
(3,500 pound Travel Trailer) <6,000 pound trailer tow rating - - I believe
this rating to be overly optimistic>

My biggest concern with a pre 1970s era vehicle as a tow vehicle would be
compatibility issues with unleaded fuels.  Prior to 1970 or 1971, most
automobiles did not have the hardened valve seats that are necessary to
prevent rescission of seats and burned valves.  I know that this was a
problem with my 1965 Dodge in 1979, and the solution was a hardened valve
seat retrofit and valve job at a price of $1,200.00.  Valve rescission
wouldn't necessarily be a problem in a pre-1970s vehicle if not used for
towing, but when used for towing the added stress on the motor is more
likely to produce a problem.

Good luck in your quest for the perfect tow vehicle.

Kevin Allen
WBCCI/VAC #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban
1978 Argosy Minuet/1975 Cadillac Convertible (Towcar in Training)