Tom McCahill

[Rattaboy]

Some of you, like myself, are old enough to remember the original road tester of autos, Tom McCahill (Uncle Tom, Old Chrome Dome) who wrote for Mechanix Illustrated in the 50s and 60s. You may get a chuckle out of the following quote.

"A GOOD SPORTS CAR IS LIKE ANY OTHER PIECE OF GOOD SPORTING EQUIPMENT. IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING YOU CAN WORK UP A REAL AFFECTION FOR. YOU MAY EVEN HAVE A PET NAME FOR IT, AND YOU MAY EVEN TALK TO IT WHEN YOU'RE ALONE. BECAUSE YOU AND THE SPORTS CAR, OUT ON THE ROAD, ARE A COUPLE OF PALS TOGETHER. AND IF YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF WORKING UP SUCH AFFECTION OVER A JEWEL-LIKE PIECE OF MACHINERY, YOU'D BE FAR BETTER OFF WITH A BUICK."

You can do a search for him and read some of his road tests and some of his witticisms. What a character.

[Dales90]

Yes, his reviews were always great to read. I subscribed decades ago. I don't remember when he retired, but it may have been his review for the 86 Riviera, and the Graphic Control Center.

He commented that if you were driving and saw a friend on the sidewalk, by the time you touch-screened your way in to lower the radio volume, lower the fan speed, and then drop the power window..........your friend was gone!!

Dale

[charlie1]

Thanks for the memory. He was great!

Charlie

[juddev]

My favorite was Satch Carlson who wrote for auto week until his problems with the law.