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Were Old Cars more Fun Than Modern Ones?

198 messages,  Last post on Jan 30, 2012 at 2:43 PM

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What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 20

#1 of 198 Were Old Cars more Fun Than Modern Ones? by hpmctorque

Nov 06, 2011 (12:16 pm)

Of the cars you've owned or known, which one(s) gave you the most pleasure? If it was an older model, was it because it wasn't so perfect? As odd as it may seem, for me if a car is too predictably perfect, as many modern ones are, they're not much fun.
 
Unfortunately, I didn't have the pleasure of owning a sports car in my youth, but I had a friend with an Austin Healey 3000 and another with a '61 Corvette. While these cars had unique quirks and drawbacks, they were blasts to drive. Another acquaintance had a '30s Ford with a hopped up Olds Rocket engine in it; dangerous, but a blast.
 
Modern cars, even budget models, tend to accelerate faster, and corner and stop better than yesteryear's models, but are less thrilling to drive. Sometimes they don't even feel faster, in part because they're quieter, vibrate less, and don't squat, dive and lean as much.
 
What are your thoughts on this?
 
Of the cars I've owned, a '65 Mustang V8 with 4-speed, heavy duty suspension and posi-traction was the most fun. Apparently someone else liked it too because it got stolen.

#2 of 198 Re: Were Old Cars more Fun Than Modern Ones? [hpmctorque] by bryan

Nov 06, 2011 (3:04 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 06, 2011 12:16 pm)
Nice topic to reminscence about. Maybe because I was younger and everything was "more fun"? I don't know. I've had a number of cars over the past 40 years; I'm sure I did and didn't enjoy something about each; I'll have to think more about that.
 
I do remember always liking convertibles, so I've owned a few. I wouldn't mind a '12 Camaro convertible.
 
I do like all the improvements that we see in today's cars. So,if I could have today's modern car features on say, a 1972 Cutlass convertible--I wonder what color???

#3 of 198 Re: Were Old Cars more Fun Than Modern Ones? [hpmctorque] by texases

Nov 06, 2011 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 06, 2011 12:16 pm)
Good question. My cars peaked with my '83 GTI. The earlier ones ('65 Mustang 170 cid and '72 Duster 198 cid) obviously weren't 'overpowered', and neither were they fun to drive. The GTI was a blast because I could drive it hard just about all the time and not get a ticket. Do that in a modern GTI and you'd be going 100 mph, easy.

#4 of 198 . by fintail

Nov 06, 2011 (4:53 pm)

I have to say my fintail is more fun to drive than my E55 - but I think some of that isn't because of its abilities , but because it is old, unusual, and gets some attention, while the E55, which can destroy most cars on the road in performance, never has to work hard and blends into the background.

#5 of 198 Re: Were Old Cars more Fun Than Modern Ones? [hpmctorque] by berri

Nov 06, 2011 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 06, 2011 12:16 pm)
I think the old cars were more fun, but not just because of nostalgia. You had different designs and model changes every year so you had Ford guys, Chevy guys, Mopar guys (and of course there are a few Studebaker guys still hanging around!). You'd recognize people on the road by their car. The old V8 babies would spin out and had that great engine rumble, maybe even almost kill yourself pushin' it (the thrill and drama of cheating death)! No computer controls inhibiting laying rubber either. VW Beetles were good for donuts in the snow. Cars were relatively cheap and easy to work on, so you could mod them or mess around trying to fine tune them. You could get a convertible in anything from a cheap compact Rambler American to a huge land yacht Caddy or Imperial. Having said all that, for a cross country trip I appreciate today's cars handling, quiet, reliability and economy - but its fun to think back to the days of Route 66 - oh, and don't forget the music!

#6 of 198 Re: Were Old Cars more Fun Than Modern Ones? [texases] by hpmctorque

Nov 06, 2011 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: texases (Nov 06, 2011 3:34 pm)
I think a Duster with the 340 would be fun.

#7 of 198 Re: Were Old Cars more Fun Than Modern Ones? [berri] by hpmctorque

Nov 06, 2011 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: berri (Nov 06, 2011 7:11 pm)
All true.

#8 of 198 Re: . [fintail] by hpmctorque

Nov 06, 2011 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 06, 2011 4:53 pm)
I once drove a fintail from near Chicago to Madison, WI. Can't remember much about the experience.

#9 of 198 Re: . [hpmctorque] by berri

Nov 06, 2011 (9:00 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 06, 2011 8:27 pm)
I once drove a fintail from near Chicago to Madison, WI.
 
Had to be some beer involved in that trip - right?

#10 of 198 Re: . [berri] by hpmctorque

Nov 07, 2011 (2:34 am)

Replying to: berri (Nov 06, 2011 9:00 pm)
Well, probably not on that trip. However, you probably know that beer drinking is a popular elective at the U of WI, my alma mater.

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