JJ

06/04/2007 6:33 PM

OT - Yank Tanks

Ran across a referenc to a DVD called "Yank Tanks" in a car
magazine the other day. It's kinda a documentary, filmed in Cuba, in
Spanish, with English sub-titles. It seems that when Castro took over
there were about 150,000 American vehicles in Cuba. Supposedly most of
them are still on the road. This documents how they are kept on the
road. Small shops hand make replacement parts from sheet metal. One
guy mixes brake pads. Another uses chain link fence as welding rod.
If you're any sort of a car guy, and like old cars, I think you'll
really like this. Some of those old cars look like they just rolled out
of the show room. Of course with a tractor engine replacement doesn't
sound quite the same. LOL I'm not associated with the DVD, just got
one, and think it' great. Do a search on Amazon using Yank Tanks.



JOAT
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum
immane mittam.
(I have a catapult. Give me all your money, or I will fling an enormous
rock at your head.)


This topic has 30 replies

BA

B A R R Y

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 12:23 AM

On 7 Apr 2007 17:06:52 -0700, "Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>They were worse than the Trabant...

That's another car my Polish friend brings up on occasion! <G>

BA

B A R R Y

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 10:16 PM

On 7 Apr 2007 06:34:07 -0700, "Charlie Self" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>They should ship those dies back here: there is already at least one
>company building '57 Chev components. The company will build you a new
>'57 convertible (or, I guess, a Bel Air hard top), too. Stick the key
>in and drive away.

There are two companies currently building identical replicas of 1946
Piper Cubs.

One of them has 100+ pre-orders @ $100,000+ per copy.

I'm not surprised at all that somebody can make money reproducing
classic cars. There are far more drivers than pilots!

rc

"rich"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

06/04/2007 4:55 PM

On Apr 6, 7:27 pm, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "J T" wrote in message
> > Ran across a referenc to a DVD called "Yank Tanks" in a car
> > magazine the other day. It's kinda a documentary, filmed in Cuba, in
> > Spanish, with English sub-titles. It seems that when Castro took over
> > there were about 150,000 American vehicles in Cuba. Supposedly most of
> > them are still on the road.
>
> On that same note ... when I first visited New Zealand in the early 60's I
> was surprised to see what looked like old cars from the 30's, 40's and early
> 50's were in use. Apparently all the tool and dies from these old models
> were still being used, to make "new" cars.
>
> Pretty neat to see.
>
> --www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 2/20/07

Also more recently in Brazil, and other So American countries.
Someone told me the countries buy the dies, etc. from Ford or GM, and
then produce the cars locally, using a lot of local parts. I still
see a lot of VW Bugs and vans in Brazil. New car - old design.
Anyone know of other countries that do this?

nn

in reply to "rich" on 06/04/2007 4:55 PM

06/04/2007 11:30 PM

JT - I saw that special on the HD channel. It was great, and I was
surprised to see how those guys had "specialized" over the years.

What in the world did that guy make those brake shoes from?

Robert

JJ

in reply to "[email protected]" on 06/04/2007 11:30 PM

07/04/2007 9:30 AM

Fri, Apr 6, 2007, 11:30pm (EDT-3) [email protected] doth query:
JT - I saw that special on the HD channel. It was great, and I was
surprised to see how those guys had "specialized" over the years.
What in the world did that guy make those brake shoes from?

Home Depot has its own channel?

Asbestos fibers (poured out of a sack), graphite, and something
else as a bnder, forget what. Brake pads actually. Mix, mold, bake.

There's not too many movies I care to see more than once, so I dn't
buy a lot of videos or DVDs - definitely happy I got a copy of this.

And, for any insomniacs, get a copy of the orignal movie version
of the Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy. I enljoyed the book, so when a
VHS copy came up, I nabbed it. Every time I play it I fall asleep.
I've probably played it eight times, and have never seen the ending.
It's even more boring than Lord Of The Rings - and I thought that was a
great book.



JOAT
In the rough is just enough.

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "[email protected]" on 06/04/2007 11:30 PM

07/04/2007 9:22 AM

"J T" wrote in message

> I've probably played it eight times, and have never seen the ending.

LOL ... know the feeling. Back on a rainy December day last year, while
waiting for the shop to warm up, I finally (and accidentally) saw the end
of "Breakfast Club", some 20 years after attempting to watch it the first
time ... and I'm still unimpressed.

AAMOF, I've only watched three movies to the end on the first sitting in the
last 15 years: "Secondhand Lions", "The Notebook", and "As Good As It Gets".

SWMBO can watch three a night and, after 25 years, has finally given up
trying to get me to either watch them with her, or worse, take her to see
one ... ain't no way in hell I'm gonna sit in a movie theater and suffer
"art imitating reality" at those prices.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07

JJ

in reply to "Swingman" on 07/04/2007 9:22 AM

07/04/2007 12:49 PM

Sat, Apr 7, 2007, 9:22am (EDT-2) [email protected] (Swingman) doth sayth:
<snip> AAMOF, I've only watched three movies to the end on the first
sitting in the last 15 years: "Secondhand Lions", "The Notebook", and
"As Good As It Gets". <snip>

I've got a copy of Secondhand Lions, great movie, reminds me of me.
Never even heard of The Notebook, and As Good As It Gets is a one time
only movie. When there's no good realiy shows on (and I do not mean
Survivor or that Race seies), like Cops, Forensic Files, etc., and I
want to watch something, I usually stick in one of my full-length
cartoon movies - Leroy and Stitch, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,
Wizards, you know, a movie that makes sense.



JOAT
In the rough is just enough.

JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to "Swingman" on 07/04/2007 9:22 AM

07/04/2007 7:26 PM

J T wrote:
> Sat, Apr 7, 2007, 9:22am (EDT-2) [email protected] (Swingman) doth sayth:
> <snip> AAMOF, I've only watched three movies to the end on the first
> sitting in the last 15 years: "Secondhand Lions", "The Notebook", and
> "As Good As It Gets". <snip>
>
> I've got a copy of Secondhand Lions, great movie, reminds me of
> me.

But are you Duvall, Caine, or the kid?

> Never even heard of The Notebook, and As Good As It Gets is a one
> time only movie. When there's no good realiy shows on (and I do not
> mean Survivor or that Race seies), like Cops, Forensic Files, etc.,
> and I want to watch something, I usually stick in one of my
> full-length cartoon movies - Leroy and Stitch, Teenage Mutant Ninja
> Turtles, Wizards, you know, a movie that makes sense.

Ever see any Miyazakis? "Porco Rosso" might be a good intro, but it's a
bit different from his others.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

JJ

in reply to "J. Clarke" on 07/04/2007 7:26 PM

08/04/2007 6:57 PM

Sat, Apr 7, 2007, 7:26pm [email protected] (J.=A0Clarke) doth
query:
But are you Duvall, Caine, or the kid?
Ever see any Miyazakis? <snip>

Caine. The only way I'd use a shotgun to blow a salesman's hat off
is if I wanted to take the head with it.

Never heard of him, but now that I'm alerted, I'll try to avoid
him.



JOAT
In the rough is just enough.

JJ

in reply to "rich" on 06/04/2007 4:55 PM

06/04/2007 11:41 PM

Fri, Apr 6, 2007, 4:55pm (EDT- 3) [email protected] (rich) doth
sayeth:
Also more recently in Brazil, and other So American countries. Someone
told me the countries buy the dies, etc. from Ford or GM, and then
produce the cars locally, using a lot of local parts. I still see a lot
of VW Bugs and vans in Brazil. New car - old design. Anyone know of
other countries that do this?

But the guys in Cuba don't have dies. They're small shops,
hand-making body parts from sheetmetal.

Brazil and Mexico mae VW Beetles, but I think they both stoped just
a few years ago. You can still buy new manufacture body parts tho.



JOAT
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum
immane mittam.
(I have a catapult. Give me all your money, or I will fling an enormous
rock at your head.)

CS

"Charlie Self"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 6:34 AM

On Apr 6, 7:55=EF=BF=BDpm, "rich" <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Apr 6, 7:27 pm, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "J T" wrote in message
> > > =A0 =A0 =A0Ran across a referenc to a DVD called "Yank Tanks" in a car
> > > magazine the other day. =A0It's kinda a documentary, filmed in Cuba, =
in
> > > Spanish, with English sub-titles. =A0It seems that when Castro took o=
ver
> > > there were about 150,000 American vehicles in Cuba. =A0Supposedly mos=
t of
> > > them are still on the road.
>
> > On that same note ... when I first visited New Zealand in the early 60'=
s I
> > was surprised to see what looked like old cars from the 30's, 40's and =
early
> > 50's were in use. Apparently all the tool and dies from these old models
> > were still being used, to make "new" cars.
>
> > Pretty neat to see.
>
> > --www.e-woodshop.net
> > Last update: 2/20/07
>
> Also more recently in Brazil, and other So American countries.
> Someone told me the countries buy the dies, etc. from Ford or GM, and
> then produce the cars locally, using a lot of local parts. =A0I still
> see a lot of VW Bugs and vans in Brazil. =A0New car - old design.
> Anyone know of other countries that do this?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

They should ship those dies back here: there is already at least one
company building '57 Chev components. The company will build you a new
'57 convertible (or, I guess, a Bel Air hard top), too. Stick the key
in and drive away.

God knows the cost, but restored '57 convertibles are going for 125K
and up. Survivors are higher. It makes me wonder what happened to the
'57 convertible I had...my first new car.

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 3:49 PM

On Apr 6, 7:55 pm, "rich" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Anyone know of other countries that do this?

One of the most notorious examples were the Lada cars from Russia.
Those were all made from Fiat 128 stampers. Except, the Russians used
a thicker sheet metal of a thicker gauge, but it was cold-rolled and
therefore more porous. As a result, ..boy could those car rust in a
hurry.
I recall an accessory shop in Toronto bringing in Lada floormats and
exhaust pipes. The 'bends' in the pipes were wrinkled like a sharpei
pup. Just absolute trash. The floormats were of the cocos
variety..'cept they'd shed on the way out the store.

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 5:06 PM

On Apr 7, 7:26 pm, B A R R Y <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 7 Apr 2007 15:49:29 -0700, "Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >On Apr 6, 7:55 pm, "rich" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> Anyone know of other countries that do this?
>
> >One of the most notorious examples were the Lada cars from Russia.
>
> It's funny that you mention Lada!
>
> Just last week, I was in an auto parts store with a Polish immigrant
> co-worker, and we were making Lada jokes, as Lada was mentioned in the
> filter / wiper catalog.
>
> I always pictured them as looking like fat BMW 2002's. <G>

That's flattering them..LOL

They were Fiat 128's. Almost impossible to tell apart for about a year
or two.

The going joke at the time was: Lada car, lada trubble.

They were worse than the Trabant... better than the Yugo. (welded
house-style hinges on the doors..I shitteth thou not.)

The Russians also had a knock-off of the DKW (Auto Union, now Audi).
It had a 2 stroke engine and went like stink. Mind you, Saab ran a two-
stroke for years. It wasn't all bad.

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 5:17 PM

On Apr 6, 10:12 pm, Don Fearn <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> And Russia makes 40s BMW copies; with sidecars.
>
> http://www.imz-ural.com/
>

Those are not that bad. There is a bit of a following nearby, as an
importer has built up a bit of a clientele.
One fellow, in town, draws quite a crowd when he parks under the Blue
Water Bridge. That's where the freedom fries trucks sell their chips
to walkers, cyclers and generally relaxing people on Sundays.
Fit and finish isn't the greatest...I mean they paint right over the
dross left on after the castings...but he claims it hasn't let him
down yet. It WAS once built after a BMW, but over the years, the only
thing left, is the lay-out of an RS 69.
Brand new... under 10K Can$ with side car. (Side cars should be
outlawed like Radial Arm saws.)

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 7:12 PM

On Apr 7, 8:23 pm, B A R R Y <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 7 Apr 2007 17:06:52 -0700, "Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> >They were worse than the Trabant...
>
> That's another car my Polish friend brings up on occasion! <G>

When many east Germans came across the old border to west Germany,
there were swarms of Trabbies buzzing about. Quite a puff of blue
smoke when 50 or more Trabbies all take off from a traffic light. I
can just imagine what downtown Warsau must have been like on a hot
summer day.
Then there OLD Trabbies...

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 11:16 AM

On Apr 8, 1:18 am, "CW" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> Might I suggest you brush up on your metalergy? Every car out there with a
> steel body is made from colled rolled steel. Porous? Only if someone cut
> holes in it.

As we have established that there are no differences of the densities
between cold rolled and other cold rolled steels, I stand (sit)
corrected.
I'm glad I made your day.

Bi

Bill in Detroit

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 4:32 AM

CW wrote:
> "Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Apr 6, 7:55 pm, "rich" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Anyone know of other countries that do this?
>> One of the most notorious examples were the Lada cars from Russia.
>> Those were all made from Fiat 128 stampers. Except, the Russians used
>> a thicker sheet metal of a thicker gauge, but it was cold-rolled and
>> therefore more porous. As a result, ..boy could those car rust in a
>> hurry.
>
> Might I suggest you brush up on your metalergy? Every car out there with a
> steel body is made from colled rolled steel. Porous? Only if someone cut
> holes in it.
>

Yep ... and 'full mild' on the body panels and most of the structural
stampings, to boot.

But it sounded good.

Bill
--
http://nmwoodworks.com/cube


---
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Virus Database (VPS): 000731-0, 04/06/2007
Tested on: 4/8/2007 4:32:41 AM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com


Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

06/04/2007 6:27 PM


"J T" wrote in message

> Ran across a referenc to a DVD called "Yank Tanks" in a car
> magazine the other day. It's kinda a documentary, filmed in Cuba, in
> Spanish, with English sub-titles. It seems that when Castro took over
> there were about 150,000 American vehicles in Cuba. Supposedly most of
> them are still on the road.

On that same note ... when I first visited New Zealand in the early 60's I
was surprised to see what looked like old cars from the 30's, 40's and early
50's were in use. Apparently all the tool and dies from these old models
were still being used, to make "new" cars.

Pretty neat to see.


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07


DF

Don Fearn

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

06/04/2007 8:12 PM

jeremy <[email protected]> opin'd thus:

>rich wrote:
> New car - old design.
>> Anyone know of other countries that do this?
>>
>India makes 50's and 60's British motorbikes.

And Russia makes 40s BMW copies; with sidecars.

http://www.imz-ural.com/

I'd like one with two-wheel drive for winter commuting.



--
He who laughs last thinks slowest

LH

Lew Hodgett

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 6:24 PM

Robatoy wrote:

> As we have established that there are no differences of the densities
> between cold rolled and other cold rolled steels, I stand (sit)
> corrected.

0.283 lbs/inch^3, a number I shall take to my grave.

The density of steel, BTW.

Even close enough for cast iron.

Three place accuracy which was good enough for slide rule calculations
of the time.<G>

Lew

LH

"Lowell Holmes"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 2:05 PM


"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Apr 6, 7:55?pm, "rich" <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Apr 6, 7:27 pm, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > snip
God knows the cost, but restored '57 convertibles are going for 125K
and up. Survivors are higher. It makes me wonder what happened to the
'57 convertible I had...my first new car.


I wonder about my 59 Corvette.

I didn't realize you are an old codger.

Cc

"CW"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 5:18 AM


"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Apr 6, 7:55 pm, "rich" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Anyone know of other countries that do this?
>
> One of the most notorious examples were the Lada cars from Russia.
> Those were all made from Fiat 128 stampers. Except, the Russians used
> a thicker sheet metal of a thicker gauge, but it was cold-rolled and
> therefore more porous. As a result, ..boy could those car rust in a
> hurry.

Might I suggest you brush up on your metalergy? Every car out there with a
steel body is made from colled rolled steel. Porous? Only if someone cut
holes in it.

> I recall an accessory shop in Toronto bringing in Lada floormats and
> exhaust pipes. The 'bends' in the pipes were wrinkled like a sharpei
> pup. Just absolute trash. The floormats were of the cocos
> variety..'cept they'd shed on the way out the store.
>

jj

jeremy

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 12:08 AM

rich wrote:
New car - old design.
> Anyone know of other countries that do this?
>
India makes 50's and 60's British motorbikes.

JJ

bb

"bynot"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

02/09/2007 6:16 PM

It's available at Netflicks

"J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ran across a referenc to a DVD called "Yank Tanks" in a car
> magazine the other day. It's kinda a documentary, filmed in Cuba, in
> Spanish, with English sub-titles. It seems that when Castro took over
> there were about 150,000 American vehicles in Cuba. Supposedly most of
> them are still on the road. This documents how they are kept on the
> road. Small shops hand make replacement parts from sheet metal. One
> guy mixes brake pads. Another uses chain link fence as welding rod.
> If you're any sort of a car guy, and like old cars, I think you'll
> really like this. Some of those old cars look like they just rolled out
> of the show room. Of course with a tractor engine replacement doesn't
> sound quite the same. LOL I'm not associated with the DVD, just got
> one, and think it' great. Do a search on Amazon using Yank Tanks.
>
>
>
> JOAT
> Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum
> immane mittam.
> (I have a catapult. Give me all your money, or I will fling an enormous
> rock at your head.)
>

JJ

in reply to "bynot" on 02/09/2007 6:16 PM

02/09/2007 10:24 PM

Sun, Sep 2, 2007, 6:16pm (EDT+4) [email protected] (bynot) doth
sayeth:
It's available at Netflicks

Whatever Netflicks is. I've had a copy since slightly before the
original post. If you're into old cars at all very interesting.



JOAT
What is life without challenge and a constant stream of new
humiliations?
- Peter Egan

BT

"Buck Turgidson"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 12:25 PM

They run this every couple of months or so on the Sundance Channel, if you
happen to get it. It is a fascinating documentary. Watching the guy make
brake shoes out of pure asbestos with a cigarette in his mouth was quite a
shocker.

MB

Mike Berger

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

09/04/2007 11:16 AM

Well they do get free medical care.

Buck Turgidson wrote:
> They run this every couple of months or so on the Sundance Channel, if you
> happen to get it. It is a fascinating documentary. Watching the guy make
> brake shoes out of pure asbestos with a cigarette in his mouth was quite a
> shocker.
>
>

BA

B A R R Y

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

07/04/2007 11:26 PM

On 7 Apr 2007 15:49:29 -0700, "Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Apr 6, 7:55 pm, "rich" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Anyone know of other countries that do this?
>
>One of the most notorious examples were the Lada cars from Russia.

It's funny that you mention Lada!

Just last week, I was in an auto parts store with a Polish immigrant
co-worker, and we were making Lada jokes, as Lada was mentioned in the
filter / wiper catalog.

I always pictured them as looking like fat BMW 2002's. <G>

LH

Lew Hodgett

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 12:49 AM

Robatoy wrote:

> The Russians also had a knock-off of the DKW (Auto Union, now Audi).

Back in the 90's somebody tried to import Ruski farm equipment.

I have a picture of a load of it on a flat bed setting in a rest stop in
Nebraska. Looked like pure trash.

Hell the Ruskis even screw up plywood which is Finland's private joke on
the cheap skate buyers.

Lew

Cc

"CW"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 06/04/2007 6:33 PM

08/04/2007 6:38 PM

You'll have to work much harder to make my day. The bowl I just turned is
the high point at the moment. The water heater I replaced this morning was
the low.

"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Apr 8, 1:18 am, "CW" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> > Might I suggest you brush up on your metalergy? Every car out there with
a
> > steel body is made from colled rolled steel. Porous? Only if someone cut
> > holes in it.
>
> As we have established that there are no differences of the densities
> between cold rolled and other cold rolled steels, I stand (sit)
> corrected.
> I'm glad I made your day.
>
>


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