The Smogmobile is listed in critical but stable condition. It has a good doctor, who will diagnose and operate beginning Monday. Most likely the engine will be over 50% rebuilt, and a few other maintenance things will be performed (so the engine can last at least another good 60000 miles or so). All or most of the stupid little hoses and wires and tubes that they put on cars’ engines these days will probably be replaced, since some of them date back to Reagan’s presidency.

Indications are that the patient will make it thru this and be better than before. However, since the American health-insurance system is even worse for cars than it is for humans, it will be costly, though not as costly as estimated by the previous mechanic.

By the way, anyone driving thru L.A. on the 5 Freeway between about 5:15 and 6pm on May 31, 1997 may have seen a black flatbed tow-truck heading south with a dirty red Colt loaded on it. If so, they have seen the Smogmobile in its low point. (Note: anyone who thinks I personify my car too much please raise their hand.)

I wasn’t too happy either, although I was heartened and bemused by the irony that the driver of the tow-truck drives it the way I drive the Smogmobile. However, flatbed trucks driven that way bounce up and down a lot and I wouldn’t recommend sitting in one to anyone with neck or back injuries or recent chiropractic work.