Posted on 12/09/2019 7:21:52 AM PST by C19fan
This might be a new one. A recent armed Toronto carjacking went wrong because the two young attempted thieves didn't know how to drive stick. The car in question was not an automatic drive, so they were left with no choice but to abandon ship.
Toronto Police's news release says the incident occurred last month at York University. The armed assailants were actually both minors.
They failed to steal the car itself because, well, they didn't know how. A 15-year-old and 17-year old boy are each facing multiple charges.
(Excerpt) Read more at narcity.com ...
Same issue, 1969 Ford Econoline with *4* on the tree.
Kind of funny to read how everyone learned to drive a stick. Mine was 1982 on a deuce and a half.
My folks taught us kids how to drive a stick. Said you never know when you’ll need the knowledge.
We lived in Spokane, WA - talk about sitting at the light going up Mt. Spokane, one foot on the clutch, the other on the gas. Pretty sure I ruined that clutch. :-)
I miss driving one some days, but in Houston traffic... the automatic is the way to go.
RS
I used to leave my Pontiac Vibe running with the door wide open and run errands
Had my kid take it to get tires once. The lady at the tire shop was amazed that a 17 year old could drive it.
I’m 57. Only drove one once. Someone’s old pickup truck.
I used to have a bus driver license. Some of those were quite fun with 40’ of linkage to the rear engine.
A few years ago, I tore my left Achilles Tendon. As the doctor was fitting me with an air boot, I pointed out the window at my car and told him it was a five-speed.
I got really good at clutchless shifting
Not that they want to, but if only 5 percent of American cars are stick, there are no stick cars for them to learn to drive.
City kids.
We had a couple of early 60s diesel Mercedes sedans and they had a 4 on the tree. I learned to drive in one of them. Never got a speeding ticket in that car! Plus it had a foolproof anti-tailgating system (sooty diesel smoke coming out the back).
Yes, for city driving, a stick shift is not the best option.
My dad had one. It was a rust bucket and those “world famous” NYC potholes took their toll on the ball joints and rear lef springs. But that slant 6 just kept on humming along. And those Torqueflite trannies were engineering marvels, I had one in my 1968 Charger and a Dodge van that I beat the hell out of making deliveries in the city. The Valints, Lancers and Darts still around in decent condition are worth good $$$
I remember the Unimogs. The highway dept.in Rockland Cty, NY had a couple for a few ueats, also the Air National Guard at Stewart Airport in Newburgh has one from the 70’s they restored and take it to some of the car shows up there.
I knew someone who, with the help of his teenaged son restored a Model T. Working the pedals, as well as the throttle and spark advance levers was an art form that required the utmost attention. Yet by the time his kid got his learner’s permit he could drive it like a pro.
You may be overlooking one or two other engines my friend; such as the GM 3800.
I’m 39 (not quite young enough to be a Millennial) and about half of the cars I’ve have been manual, including my current one, an M3.
Have that motor in my Bonneville. Yes, it is a good powerplant. Ballsy, quick, and with 110K miles on it, it’s still a beast.
But for longevity, ease of maintenance, horsepower and simplicity, I’ll still have to go with the Ford 289.
The 3800 is a good engine, but you gotta keep a close watch for any coolant leaks snd change the thermostat from time to time. if it overheats, may as well use it as a boat anchor
I'd bet 99% of all the cars on the road in Somalia are stick shifts.
I wonder what percentage of Americans could start a car with a hand crank? Soon to be about as common as a car with a stick shift.
Only 6% of all new cars sold in the United States have a manual transmission and this number declines each year. American consumers have told automakers they don't want them. And this is a shame.
You didn’t find the right people...........
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.