>Actually the long runners were the key to the economical Slant6.  Compared
>to other straight sixes in the sixties, the AMC, Chevy, Ford, all of which
>ranged from 17-19MPG, the slant 6 I owned in 1969 got a consistent 21MPG,
>with an automatic.  My Dad's '74 with three on the column (and 225 Cu In.)
>regularly got 24MPG - both pulling cars in the 3400 pound range (Valiant).
>  In 1961, my Dad bought a brand new Plymouth station wagon with the 225Cu
>In slant 6 and 3 on the tree, it also constantly got 21MPG, pulling one of
>the largest wagons in history.  And finally, in 1976, Plymouth came out
>with a car they called the "feather" Duster, a 2door slant back Valiant,
>equipped with the same slant 6, 4 speed OD tranny, achieved 27-28MPG.  Add
>to excellent gas economy, the engine's renowned durability, and you have a
>winning combination.

And that car remained in production in Australia... including Oz-made
Dodge Darts with Chrysler Valiant badges... and grew into an
Aussie-only Valiant in the 70s & 80s, some with very hot 6s which ate
V8s on the racetracks.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut

HUMANITY: THE ULTIMATE VON NEUMANN MACHINE

DEMOCRACY: RULE BY THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR