More weird stuff (extremely marginal Audi content)

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

Strange badging: There's a mid-80s Mustang running around here (Daytona)
with the grille, fenders and hood from a 450 SL bolted to it. Coupe, not
convertible, too! Figure if someone went to all that trouble, they would
have used a ragtop!

Battle of the Sexes, car doors: Having been single through the 80s and most
of the 90s, I discovered two things about car doors (Audi and otherwise).
If you DON'T open the door for her, you're a rude, unfeeling insensitive
boor, and you won't be invited inside. If you DO open the door for her,
you're a Male Chauvinist Pig who needs to have his consciousness raised
(tm), and you won't be invited inside. Possible solution - motorcycle -
makes for an extremely sparse social life in cold climates, but seems to
work OK in Florida. (But then, if you ride a motorcycle, you're a wild,
uncontrollable maniac with severe testosterone poisoning, and you will
either definitely will or definitely will NOT be invited inside.)

SUV wars: Ford is about to release the mother of all SUVs - V-10, 19 feet
long (foot longer than the already humongous Suburban), 12 mpg, weight 3.5
tons, based on their F-350 pickup truck. Price to be $45,000 to $50,000.
Just what a petite 5'2" soccer mom needs to take to WalMart. Sierra Club
(for whom I usually have very little use) has nicknamed this "The Ford
Valdez: Have you driven a tanker lately?" This from the company that calls
itself "The Ecology Car Company". Can I buy a roof-mounted gun turret for
my 5K to protect myself?

Audi content: brake caliper size vs. brake pedal effort. Switched from 36mm
calipers to 38mm calipers (rear, 86 5Ks). Noticed no difference in pedal
feel or stopping difference. YMMV. 38mm became standard on later type 44
models (all body styles - mine came off an 89 100), while it evidently was
an option on earlier type 44s - wagons, HD suspension/towing package, etc.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman