Diesel in North America

Many people here are considering a factory delivery of a 335d (I picked up a 335d just recently, as many here know).

There are now more diesel powered autos available in the U.S. than at any point in the recent past so I decided to write about the return of diesel to the U.S.

The Return of Diesel in America

From 1960 through 2002, over 20 car makers ranging from Audi to Volvo offered over 80 diesel-powered passenger cars in the U.S. Indeed, 1981 marked a watershed year for diesel car sales with 520,788 sold. 60% of those came from General Motors and included the company’s biggest sedans, the Cadillac Sedan de Ville and Fleetwood, the Buick Electra and LeSabre, and the Oldsmobile 98 and 88. The oil crises of the 1970s had scared new car buyers enough so that they would put up with the diesel’s noise, fumes, and somewhat iffy starting in cold weather.

Diesel car back at that time accounted for 85% of Peugeot’s U.S. sales, 78% of Mercedes-Benz’, 58% of Isuzu’s, and 50% of Volkswagen’s.

You have an Oldsmobile classic??

Originally Posted by mason

You have an Oldsmobile classic??

No, but I did take a photo of one 20+ years ago.

The resolution does look a little different.

Originally Posted by mason

The resolution does look a little different.

Better or worse, in your opinion?

the film picture doesn't look as crisp as the digital one, assuming the your new car pic is from a digital camera.

may be Olds had bad paint job?

Originally Posted by mason

the film picture doesn't look as crisp as the digital one, assuming the your new car pic is from a digital camera.

may be Olds had bad paint job?

335d is digital (Nikon D90). Olds was 35mm and scan of photo.

You forgot to mention what a piece of crap the GM diesel was. The iffy starting was usually due to blown head gaskets.
I made a lot of money in the 80s yanking diesels and replacing them with a gas engines.