<VV> Manuals...? My rantings and More

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/25/2005 8:45:08 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
kirbyasmith at gwi.net writes:

Heh!  And I recall once screaming to an uncaring universe: Why  can't my 
Audi manuals be as clear as my Corvair  manuals!

kirby




They could have, at least, translated them from German! <grin>
 

I remember reading a 1959 Honda Dream 250 Motorcycle manual. It could have  
been written by Dave Berry - on an acid trip.  It was like they took each  
Japanese word and translated it to an English word - but left the syntax and  
grammar in Japanese. (This is a guess, I spoke only enough Japanese to get  
something I really, really wanted while on R&R in Tokyo in 1969) The  manual was the 
kind of stuff you would read to your friends over a beer and  laugh about. I 
have heard that Honda builds better stuff since then. 
 
Now, about the Corvair manuals. Yes, they were intended for a mechanic and  
written by engineers. Of course the education level of their target was a  8th 
grade education - but with plenty of real world experience and some GM  
training. (This was the 60's) I spent the two years after high school  (after the 
Army, really) going through an Automotive Technology program and  received an AA 
degree. But at age 25, and with 10 years of car building and  rebuilding 
experience, I could have been teaching most of the classes. But  dealer mechanics 
today go through a pretty thorough training. They are also  supported by more 
complete manuals. The electronic component of todays cars  pretty much demands 
it, especially for troubleshooting. 
 
The Corvair is, by far, the best supported "vintage" car for publications.  
Between the factory shop manuals (intended for working on newer vehicles - not  
on 40 year old rusty and worn cars) the Corsa Tech Guides, the Basics book - 
And  of course, the support books from Bob Helt, Richard Finch, the How to 
Hotrod  Corvair book and a bunch of new books on A/C and other items.  It is a  
wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.   
 
Seth  Emerson
Sethracer at aol.com
C's the day! Corvair, Camaro,  Corvette