Readers recall ‘cat-less’ C20 Chevy, study new Mustang Mach-e
Bud, I read some time ago your article about a 1980 Chevy pickup, wondered if youhaveever heard about the 1982 heavy ¾-ton C20 Chevy put out to avoid catalytic converters? I have a 1982 C20 Scottsdale I bought new in California. The uniqueness of this truck is it is rated at 8600 GVW. The fed ruling after 1981 was any truck less than 8500 GVW had to have cats. Well, a regular ¾ ton C20 was only 7500 GVW. For 1982 only, Chevy jacked the C20 rating up to 8600 GVW, and for that year only no cats were required, and regular gas was still used. In order to get the 8600 GVW rating in 1982, Chevy produced a ¾-ton truck with 8-lug rims, 1-ton brakes and suspension, and dual 20-gallon tanks using regular gas with CA emissions (air pump). The first time I had the truck emission inspected in Colorado, they refused the inspection because it had no cats. I had to get a 1985 letter from the Colorado Department of Health stating that the truck did not have to have cats. In retrospect, the regular gas ended up being a problem because without leaded gas a few years later, I burned a valve in both heads that required having them rebuilt with unleaded heads. However, the 8600 GVW rating has worked out well since I have had more than 2 tons of landscaping material in the truck up to over 11,000 pounds gross with no problems. I think 1983 required anything less than 10,000 GVW (1 ton) required cats. Since mine is now a
collector vehicle, it only gets a cursory emissions inspection and license every 5 years. I still have the truck with 87,000 actual miles, original brakes, factory AC, original as-new interior, and no rust, although it has been repainted twice. – Rick S., Parker.
Interesting, Rick; added information is available on 73-87.com and other sites. (A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into lesstoxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction.)
–Bud
Bud, I liked your review of the new Mustang Mach-e. I have been looking at all the info on it, but there is a black hole with regards to the glass roof.
I know the Tesla X also has one. What do you know about it?
I am concerned with extra sunlight, UV rays which cause cancer, and of course heat. Also, what about durability? Ford does not address this issue, but the larger battery model has this roof. What do you think of it?
– Bea W., Denver
I found the panoramic glass roof very comfortable; Ford said a special coating is designed to help keep interior cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Midsummer will tell. Give the Mach-e a good look. –Bud