Back before automatic transmissions came into general use, the family shop had a maintenance contract with a local taxi company. These cars got the "hot seat" treatment, where two drivers shared the same car, each with a 12-hour shift. A good brake job would last an average of 6 weeks, and depending on the ability of the driver team, a clutch might go 3 to 6 months. We also maintained a fleet of 1-ton chassis step vans for a bakery. A delivery driver burned out a clutch on his morning run. It was towed to our shop, we replaced the clutch, and he burned out another one on the afternoon delivery route! His supervisor had an unusual request- - - - -"Get that clutch out of there while it's still nice and hot- - - -I'm gonna make him sit on it!" Yep, that was his first and last day on the job as a deliveryman!
Jerry
