Carol and I took a break from anime with Eric last night and watched Little Miss Sunshine. Am I the only blogger who doubts the premise for the running gag (literally a gag with running) about the busted clutch?
Long ago I briefly owned a VW with a busted starter. By myself I could get it running by popping the clutch. I’d put it in first gear, then stick my head under the steering wheel while holding the clutch down with my left hand. With my legs hanging out of the driver’s door, I’d get the car moving then I’d let out the clutch. That got the motor going, and I’d jump into the car and drive off.
But note: I said the STARTER wasn’t working. Popping the clutch requires a clutch! In Little Miss Sunshine the clutch was supposedly blown. If that were the case, it wouldn’t have held in third gear, or any gear. This would be a good question for Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the Car Talk guys on NPR.