Your experience is SO TYPICAl. My local NAPA is populated by know-it-alls
who are about 18 years old. They don't have a clue. If it's not in the
computer, the car was never made -- Chrysler didn't even exist in the
early 1950s as far as these bozos are concerned. I was once told that I
could not possibly have a 1955 Chrysler; I told the numbskull to look out
in the parking lot... and he said that he wasn't going to be taken in by
that old trick. He KNEW his cars. As soon as these clowns head for the
keyboard, I know that it is hopeless.
I drive many miles out of the way to get help and parts from some old fart
car nuts (like me) who are still around and who CARE about hobbyists.
When these guys go, we are in BIG TROUBLE.
As a college professor (economics), I fear for the future of this country.
Hell, the WORLD is in trouble.
On Tue, 16 Jun 1998, Dave Stragand wrote:
> This exchange ttook place between me and an AutoZone employee this
> evening...
>
> ME: "I need front and rear transmission seals for a 1958 Plymouth with a
> Torqueflite."
> AZ: "Hmmm... The computer says there weren't any Plymouths built before
> 1962."
> ME: "The computer is wrong. Do you have a -book- that shows the seals?
> I can look it up myself, if you'd like."
> AZ: "Are you sure it's not a '62?"
> ME: "Yes. Very sure."
> AZ: "Then it's not a Plymouth. They didn't make them until 1962. What
> model is it again?"
> ME: "A Savoy. A PLYMOUTH Savoy. 1958."
> AZ: "I thought you said it was a 'Witchy Tork Fly' or something..."
> ME: "WITH A TORQUEFLITE. The transmission is a Torqueflite.
> Torqueflite. 3 speed. PLYMOUTH. The model is a Savoy. 1958."
> AZ: "Hmmm... 58... 58... Oh! It's an Oldsmobile, not a Plymouth."
> ME: "No, I'm very sure it's a Plymouth."
> AZ: "Well, it's an Oldsmobile, actually. Like the Ninety-Eight."
> ME: "Do you have a manager around here somewhere? Anywhere? Please?"
> AZ: "Hmmm.. The computer isn't showing any 3 speed transmissions for a
> 1998 Oldsmobile... and they don't list that model, either..."
> ME: "1958... PLYMOUTH... SAVOY... WITH... A... 3... SPEEED...
> TORQUEFLITE... TRANSMISSION..."
> AZ: "I'm sorry, sir, they didn't make the Plymouth until 1962..."
> ME: "LISTEN CAREFULLY. Do you have a manager around here somewhere?"
> AZ: "Why? Is there something wrong?"
>
> The manager laughed his butt off for a while, and then helped me look
> through the seals one by one, but we didn't find anything close enough.
>
> Anybody have an extra pair out there? Please let me know...
>
> -Dave
>
"I'm not a complete idiot -- some parts are missing."
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