Math is very good. You are (however) forgetting that most of that gas is burned ideling the engine. With the exception of 2005 (as I've been sick alot) ~ all prior years I started her and ran her (in place) 30 minutes a week. Over the winter months of say December thru March that would be eight hours of running in place. So, it's
really not an accurate acounting of any real-time miles per gallon. She *IS* going out next week for a 18 mile journey
for annual check-up &oil change. Conditionwise, she is "as new" ~ and no part of the car shows any wear whatsoever. The tires are OEMs and exhibit zero cracking of rubber, and are likewise, as new. There is no surface rust and when she's up in the air we've checked her underside. There is no trace of surface rust on the
undercarriage. All parts under the car have been coated with a thin film of petrolleum jelly and then buffed off. There is no oxydation on anything underhood, either. No curled corners of body decals which all lay flat & tight, with no fading of color.
The sole thing "wrong" with it is that the ultra heavy hatch will not stay up in the air. I use a prop rod madefrom a broom handle, painted orange.
I have changed the struts twice, using the proper Ford units, and have been screwed 2 X as they just refuse to hold it up. I looked into employing Cadillac HOOD struts, but nobody can assure me that they'd fit,let alone work. The combo of the heavy rear window glass, themetal hatch AND the ascMcLaren spoiler are just too heavy, I guess.
The traffic here in Northern Jersey is dense, the drivers all drive like they are leaving hell and the number of fender benders per day is sinfull. Everytime you leave your driveway you are a statistic waiting to happen. No biggie if you drive a 1999 Camry or honDUH, but for collector-car, with no NEW parts available, it's NOT a very enjoyable experience. It attracts alot of attention, too, and is a supreme home run for car theives as well, so parking it when you get where you are going is also a no-no.
BTW, when I take it to my Ford Dealer, the techs all gather around to woo and ahhh over the fact that the factory grease markings are still on the bottom side.
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I close the garage door & lock it & leave.
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