"...it broke our heart to think he might have to buy a rice burner to replace it. "

only harleys count.

and they both rusted out from the bottom--they would have sunk like stones in a body of water.

I gave it to another family member, and it lasted up through the eighties. It did get a new engine along the way.

actually was a Volkswagen beetle will definitely float,but it won't float indefinitely.Good autos with some flaws. Friend of mine's father makes a damn good living restoring old beetles and other models.