BOOK REVIEW

Pickups
more than
farm trucks

B Classic Pickups of the 1950s
by Mike Mueller, MBI
Publishers, 96 pages,
$13.95 US

ROUNDED hoods,
curved windshields,
and big chrome
bumpers — these are
all trademarks of
1950s-era pickup
trucks.

For the first time auto
makers presented the pickup
as an alternative mode of
transportation and the public
responded with enthusiasm.
New elements of style were
incorporated, as well as
improved technology, like the
automatic transmission, and
they’re all documented in this
collection.

Mueller offers a brief histo-
ry of the pickup, then leaps
headlong into the 50s. He
covers the big sellers, Ford’s
introduction of the F-100
series and Chevrolet’s Task
Force, but he also chronicles
the lesser-known models as
well. Studebaker, Crosley and
Internationals all competed

for the public’s fancy.

There is even a chapter
detailing the first crossover of
cars and trucks, like the 1957
Ford Ranchero and the 1959
Chevrolet El Camino.

The sales promotional
material included slogans like
“Great new Get-Up, great
new Go!”. Advertising for
many of the trucks appear
throughout the book, adding
to the nostalgia they create.

This slim volume offers
plenty of information on this
decade of development that

changed the role of trucks for-
ever.
— Terry Peters

Reclining seatbacks

linked to accidents

From page 28

involve crashes or injuries.
A foeter in ibe Gestsy

pete e

Le investigate was an inspection of
. The stabilizer bar link was
2 on seven of them.

909
‘The National Highway Tratfic Safety Administration has

1

boa
Ph ay

found

‘announced it is investigating complaints about defects that

could result in the recall of more than 1.5 million GM,

. Chrysler and VW cars.

More than 400,009 of the vehicles are 1994-95 Saturns
which may have front seatbacks that could recline unexpect-

“edly. The problem has been linked to 14 crashes.

GM has already recalled nearly 140,000 Saturns for the

“same problem.

The agency is also looking into complaints that GM's

“Chevrolet Caprice and Impala are vulnerable to a coolant leak

that could lead to engine fires. The 74,600 vehicles affected
by the investigation are used primarily by police departments

-,. and taxi companies.

There have been 55 complaints involving problems with

~ the air bags on 1996 Chrysler-made minivans. If a recall is
ordered! it is expected to cover more than 630,000 vehicles.

Other cars the agency is looking at are the 1996-2000

Audi A4 because of reported problems with poor wet-weath-

er braking. Audi has already recalled the cars in Europe for a

similar problem.

It is not known whether Transport Canada has any reports
of similar problems. It has not released a recalls and defects

“report since June. The reports are usually issued monthly.

Recall notices are snailed to owners of affected models who are
registered with the manufacturer, and may take several weeks ta
arrive. If you believe your vebicle may be subject to a recall but

do not receive a notice, contact a dealer who sells your make of
= pebicle.

Friday, September 29, 2000 —- North Shore News - 27

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