"A side impact by a bicycle totaled my Dauphine after only one year."
"I left it unlocked overnight, and it was finally stolen. The insurance check paid for a textbook."
"It was entirely possible to read a Russian novel during the pause between stepping on the gas and feeling any semblance of forward motion."
"The car would do 75 mph in 2nd gear, shaking apart and sounding like a bat out of hell. In fourth gear, the top speed was 70 mph. What's wrong with this picture? You do the math."
"At least it had heated rear windows--so your hands would stay warm while you pushed."