Old school setup

dodge guy wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

prichardson wrote:
That's a mid to late 60's Cadillac. Probably has a 429 ci engine and tips the scales around 4700# on a 224" wheel base. They were built on a frame that was probably as hefty as todays pickups. Only got at best 10 mpg even without a trailer.

Early 70's was when the auto makers went to "uni body" construction.

That means NO ladder frames, and thus towing became a pick up's job.

Towing, even light towing, with a uni body would twist the whole car and often crack the windshield.

Don't ask how I know.

Actually full frame cars disappeared when Fords Panther platform (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car) went away! Back in 2011!

And as the OP stated that is a mid 70's Buick. Possibly an Olds? Probably a 455!

The full frame is only part of it.

The 2010 Ford Crown Victoria is only rated to tow 1500lbs!

So there is a lot more involved.

For example, it had been a long time since a really strong rear axle was put in a car (like the old Ford 9 inch and GM 12-bolt). I am not counting the special rear axles in V8 Corvettes and Camaros, they are built for high HP and peak torque but can't take the strain of a trailer pull up and down grades repeatedly.

The big rear axles and strong rear-drive transmissions are all in the trucks now.

I am sure the automakers aren't unhappy about all of us buying high-profit-margin trucks and SUVs either;).

Steve