If you’ve ever used a charcoal grill, you may have seen a warning or two about the dangers of indoor grilling. Because carbon monoxide is lethal, every bag of charcoal you will ever purchase stresses the importance of NEVER grilling in an enclosed area like a home, tent or camper. This is nothing to fool around with.

However, in fairness to my parents, I’ve yet to see a bag of charcoal that specifically prohibits grilling in a ‘66 Plymouth Valiant.

You have to remember, this was the early eighties and people unknowingly engaged in all kinds of risky behavior. Seat belts and child car seats were optional, kids played with mercury from broken thermometers (it happened on my school bus), and folks built houses loaded with asbestos. 

We were basically just a step or two removed from living in the wild west.