[mikestew]

I was a professional auto mechanic in the late 80s, and I'd never even heard rumors of such a beast. I'm not going to pull the [citation needed] card, but I think this is one of those tales that got taller with the telling (Nissan 300Z's, for example, are a right PITA such that you'd briefly think that removing the engine would make it easier.)

There isn't an automotive engineer in the world that would keep their job after submitting such a design, let alone get it into production.

[itronitron]

Considering that my classmate's father was a car salesman, I think you are right to say that the story was likely exaggerated.