Re: Ghia Specifics

[John Bryan <jbryan@micron.net>]

jhinton@howmet.com wrote:

> Do you know why they weighed less in earlier years?  Was it all cosmetic
> additions?
> 
> ************
> Probably the same reason as the Porsche 914, because of safety
> inprovements.  The 914 picked up about 400 lb from 70-75, all due to
> increased federal safety standards.

	That's right. It's hard to see where so much weight could come
from, but the numerous little changes all add up. For example, the old
Bugs and Ghias had a simple strap as a seatbelt, laying on the floor,
that you had to pick up, clip into the other side and cinch tight. Later
models have the inertia locking mechanism that probably only adds a few
pounds, but every little bit adds up. In addition to larger, heavier
bumpers as well as tail lights and turn signals, another new thing is
the charcoal canister for the gas tank fumes, with its plumbing system.
The list goes on and on. Maybe someday in the distant future, model years 
will actually get lighter and lighter as more advanced materials and 
manufacturing techniques are used. Especially if they are EVs, since they
won't require more and more elaborate emission controls. 

...John