A friend in college had a gull wing. A fine piece of German engineering. What I remember best was that when it got old enough to require major service it was discovered that those German engineers had inserted a copper gasket between the iron block and the aluminum head. It required a chisel and sledge hammer to remove the head.

Astons are not appreciated in their own time. When I was very young the Volvo dealer in Seekonk had an old '52/53 Aston, for which he wanted $100. I could not interest my father.

With that experience, my "toy" is a "Super Stock" Dodge of Beach Boys fame.

A friend in college had a gull wing. A fine piece of German engineering. What I remember best was that when it got old enough to require major service it was discovered that those German engineers had inserted a copper gasket between the iron block and the aluminum head. It required a chisel and sledge hammer to remove the head.

Astons are not appreciated in their own time. When I was very young the Volvo dealer in Seekonk had an old '52/53 Aston, for which he wanted $100. I could not interest my father.

With that experience, my "toy" is a "Super Stock" Dodge of Beach Boys fame.

"those German engineers had inserted a copper gasket between the iron block and the aluminum head. It required a chisel and sledge hammer to remove the head."

I've never heard of metal gaskets in cars.

"I've never heard of metal gaskets in cars."

The cylinder head gasket was at least copper clad. It has been years, it may have been pure copper with compressible extruded portions which created the sealing effect.

Many high temperature gaskets, such as exhaust manifold gaskets, are metal. In more modern cars they tend to be some form of paper (made in Walpole, MA) with metal faces on the portions exposed to actual flame.

I still can't drive sown Route 6 without thinking of that $100 Aston Martin. Even though it sat out back in the "clunker" line, I was amazed my father couldn't see the beauty of it.

I can't recall enough detail to remember if it was DB2 or DB3.

Parents can be so darn practical, Warrington.

So, Monique, when are you taking delivery?

Technology sure has improved. My normally-aspirated 1968 300SEL 6.3 only made 330 horsepower with 435 lb.-ft. of torque.

BobN, yes technology has improved. The 6.3 engine was developed by MB for truck use, then use in the 600. Given the horsepower and torque figures and realizing that torque and horsepower equalize at 5250 rpm, MB probably opted for the smoothness of high torque. It was also hampered in flexibility by the mechanical fuel injection.

True, but I loved that car. It was like sitting in one of the big chairs in my rich girlfriend's living room at 130 mph.