>Funny, I have never experienced this sort of stupidity in the Toyotas and Hondas that have followed these last couple American-branded vehicles.
Which probably use the exact same serpentine belt idler running counterclockwise as your 1990s Taurus....
(There just aren't all that many different idler pulley configurations across the industry at any given time)
This sort of stuff absolutely pales in comparison to the sort of "people used to deride the Germans/French/Italians/British for this sort of engineering" type behavior that has permeated the industry.
Oh I suppose. Now I'll have to go look at what's on our current cars. Haven't had a European vehicle, so can't compare with what might crop up there. I do have a colleague who's into old English cars, will have to see what he has.
Which probably use the exact same serpentine belt idler running counterclockwise as your 1990s Taurus....
(There just aren't all that many different idler pulley configurations across the industry at any given time)
This sort of stuff absolutely pales in comparison to the sort of "people used to deride the Germans/French/Italians/British for this sort of engineering" type behavior that has permeated the industry.