When I was screwing with cars, just to keep them running in the early 60's I could get a rebuilt 1bbl for a 50's Chevy 6cyl for 5 dollars. Gas (100 octane, leaded) was around 25 cents Incl tax. Under 20 cents in a gas war.
“I miss every POS car I ever owned.”
Same here. My favorite POS was a Datsun 510 station wagon. Great car, but was rust underneath that done her in. 95 horsepower. 163 inches long.