The PT and an F150

[renichms]

On my way home from classes, I go down a road that is one way, split in the middle by quite a lot of land. Each side is one-way with three lanes most of the distance. On the way home I get to drive through a nice S-curve (though it's only 2 lanes) preceded a hundred yards, maybe more, by an intersection. At the intersection, the right lane is designated as the right-turn lane AND a straight lane. The middle lane is straight only. And lastly, the left lane is left-turn only. However, across the intersection, the left lane continues on a little beside a gas station and peels off from the other two to connect to the other part of the road so people can turn around and go the other way.

Today, I got caught at the intersection and was in the front of the middle lane. A guy in a boxy F150 (meaning not brand new but not ancient) got in the left lane. Before I go on about what he did, keep in mind that I almost always take off quickly, whether I or others think I'm racing or not. Anyways...I took off like normal and the F150 stomped it straight through the intersection and up the left lane. It irritates me to no end when people misuse that lane and get away without consequence, so instead of shifting from 1st at 4000 or 4500 RPMs, I drew it out. Then I drew out 2nd gear. And then I barely got into third before I was coming up on the S-curve. The entire time, I started pacing the truck, then slowly making it by him. He kept speeding up because the scumbag intended to abuse the turn lane and use it to pass me. Well, let's just say the tiny 4-banger 5-speed PT was too much for the old 8. When I shot through the S-curve at almost 70, he hit his brakes pretty hard and got in line way behind me and those people behind me, where he belonged. Apparently he didn't like that because I could see him banging his fists on his steering wheel and looking irritated in general.

Mission accomplished. I kept my lane and got to take the S-curve without a truck to act as roadblock while keeping a traffic law violator (sp) from being rewarded for driving improperly...while at the same time avoiding a potential conflict or "incident."

This is just another example of what a little engine can do. I know that Ford 8's aren't exactly designed with speed or power in mind (hence the 260 hp 4.6L V8 Mustang GT), but... 8 and 6 cylinders are overglorified. Even when someone else and I both go all out and they have a bigger, supposedly more powerful and faster vehicle, I win. Number of cylinders and displacement are not as important for performance as they used to be. Sure, take me back to a 2.4L I4 with no computers and no fuel injection and put it against a hemi 8 or whatever you want, the smaller engine will probably lose. But those days are gone. I have a feeling the examples of cars I can thrash will grow enormously once I have the full turbo work completed. These "experiments" are so much fun.

RN

[Dreamacre]

Bravo!!!!!

[Cruizin2k]

[lisa]

Good job!

I never did get it when people said the PT had no power. I have to get on the interstate every morning from a 360 degree turn onramp and it never ceases to amaze me that I can hit the gas in the PT and blow everything away coming off that ramp-like they can't move at all. To date (just getting up to highway speed), I have stomped beemers, lexus, mustangs, vettes, camaros, 2500's, 1500's, concordes, mercedes, the list goes on and on. It is not how much power you have, it is that most people don't know how to use it.

[renichms]

Originally posted by lisa
Good job!

I never did get it when people said the PT had no power. I have to get on the interstate every morning from a 360 degree turn onramp and it never ceases to amaze me that I can hit the gas in the PT and blow everything away coming off that ramp-like they can't move at all. To date (just getting up to highway speed), I have stomped beemers, lexus, mustangs, vettes, camaros, 2500's, 1500's, concordes, mercedes, the list goes on and on. It is not how much power you have, it is that most people don't know how to use it.

I've always thought it was how you use the power, not always how much is present. Otherwise, in theory, I shouldn't be one of the fastest cars on the road. To anyone who says the Cruiser is underpowered, I say they just don't know how to drive. Enough power to be a drag racer or something like that? No, but that isn't what it was designed for...

...and so I modify it. But even stock, this kind of thing happened.

RN

[SINWAGON]

That story brings a tear to my eye....I love it!

[Nova69]

Originally posted by lisa
Good job!

I never did get it when people said the PT had no power. I have to get on the interstate every morning from a 360 degree turn onramp and it never ceases to amaze me that I can hit the gas in the PT and blow everything away coming off that ramp-like they can't move at all. To date (just getting up to highway speed), I have stomped beemers, lexus, mustangs, vettes, camaros, 2500's, 1500's, concordes, mercedes, the list goes on and on. It is not how much power you have, it is that most people don't know how to use it.

Well said! Since day 1, I haven't understood how anyone could complain about the Cruiser being very underpowered!

[Overtake]

Originally posted by lisa
Good job!

..... I have stomped beemers, lexus, mustangs, vettes, camaros, 2500's, 1500's, concordes, mercedes, .....

Then the cars you passed weren't OBVIOUSLY racing YOU!

[M 3]

Originally posted by Overtake

Then the cars you passed weren't OBVIOUSLY racing YOU!

I was just about to post the same thing! Not every Camero, Vette, BMW, Viper, etc., owner is out to prove something or to race. They already know what they can do!

[KR8Z4BULEEPT]

Originally posted by renichms


Mission accomplished. I kept my lane and got to take the S-curve without a truck to act as roadblock while keeping a traffic law violator (sp) from being rewarded for driving improperly...while at the same time avoiding a potential conflict or "incident."

which traffic law violater?? I bet the posted speed limit was only 35!

Glad it worked out for you....two vehicles propelling themselves down the highway at 70 towards the same point could have resulted in an , as you put it..... an "incident"