Thread Number: 72176  /  Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
Old cars vs New cars
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Post# 954522   8/25/2017 at 21:49 (2,406 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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What do you like better? Old cars, or new cars.




Post# 954528 , Reply# 1   8/25/2017 at 22:46 (2,406 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

New Lexus retractable hard top.

Post# 954529 , Reply# 2   8/25/2017 at 22:53 (2,406 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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1972 Ford LTD Convertible.

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Post# 954535 , Reply# 3   8/26/2017 at 01:36 (2,406 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

Well, that is actually a hard to answer question.

Let me tell you a little story.

In the mid 90's we got a new car -- I could tell you more details, which to people who love cars would think are important, but as you'll see soon, not so much in this case.

So, it was December or January, I can't remember anymore, but it was the Winter right after we got the car, which was by then about 6-7 months old, and just after a snow fall, maybe an inch or two, which usually doesn't bother folks around here.

We crossed an intersection, along with lots of other cars, make a U-turn, and go to a diner. We get seated, order food, and then, as we were all talking waiting for the food, we were also looking out the window, as people do when they are bored and we had a very good view of the intersection we had just driven thru with no problems, as had well, I dunno, at least a few hundred before we did and a few more after we parked.

Cars are passing by, traffic light is changing from red to green and back.

Then, an old car very similar to Ford LTD above, possibly from the 60's, possibly some other make and model, we don't know, but not a convertible, crossed the same intersection at the speed everyone else was driving.

The car somehow lost control, spun out and crashed against a few more cars and ended up on the sidewalk.

Meanwhile, a bunch of cars braked really hard to avoid crashing, and some of them were able to not only brake, but also steer out of the trouble zone.

Anyone that knows me can tell you that I have *always* been a proponent of safety equipment and active safety equipment in automobiles, but that day I was completely unable to speak for a minute or two and dozens of people inside the restaurant saying "Wow!" at the same time makes up for a really loud "Wow!".

There may be dozens of reasons why it happened, from worn out tire(s) to power steering systems that do not give enough feedback to the driver and/or fail to vary the assist according to road conditions, to suspensions that used to, back then, be tuned for comfort (the stereotypical "living room sofa driving down the road" or "cream puff"). And it's not that we can condem designers/engineers back then, it took them a couple of decades to not only find out such things could predispose the car occupants to an accident or a more serious accident, it then took them some time to fix the problem as similar things in the real world go.

So, with all that in mind, glad you asked: me and the hubby do not change cars at the drop of a hat, like some people who always have to have a car that is less than 2 years old, but when we change cars, we try to get a brand new one, with all the safety features that we can afford.

Some may claim that a steering wheel that stiffens up as the speed goes up or the car detects slippery road are not as "comfortable" as that 1972 Ford LTD. Same thing for suspensions that keep the tires always in contact with the road and are tuned for stability instead of "floating" over the potholes. Or any other number of things.

But we're still here, and we're also under the average number of crashes for the average population in US.

So I guess you should put us in the "we like new cars better" category.

YMMV.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.


Post# 954537 , Reply# 4   8/26/2017 at 01:58 (2,406 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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Newer cars have more safety features, but they lack in styling. Today's cars all look alike, and don't have any character at all. Boxy cars look better than today's curvy cars! The only place modern cars deserve to go to is the crusher! In fact, all modern cars deserve to go to the crusher!

Post# 954538 , Reply# 5   8/26/2017 at 02:49 (2,406 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)        
OLE LAND BARGE LOVER!

I've always liked the older FULL SIZED cars. I do however like the safety features of today's vehicles. If I could just get the two of them merged together into one I'd be one happy camper.



Post# 954540 , Reply# 6   8/26/2017 at 03:13 (2,406 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

"Newer cars have more safety features, but they lack in styling. Today's cars all look alike, and don't have any character at all. Boxy cars look better than today's curvy cars! The only place modern cars deserve to go to is the crusher! In fact, all modern cars deserve to go to the crusher!"

ROFL!!!

*Really*?!?

I guess it just depends on who you ask, doesn't it?

People who grew up around 1972 Fords can probably just take a look at that car and tell you maker model and year. So can people who love cars.

But ask a current teenager who grew up with "new"/"modern" cars and they can't tell you if it's a 1972 Ford LTD or a 1960 Dodge.

To you, it may seem strange or absurd. To many it's the reverse, a co-worker of my husband's had a pre-teen that could rattle make model and year of any current car but had no idea what "old" cars were, to him they looked all the same except for color.

To some other people, they can look at cars and see tail fins or some kinds of chrome or even the way some details change by decade and tell you what decade the car was, but nothing else.

"Style" is relative -- every 10 years it will change and it may or may not come back in another 20.

Safety, not so much.

A friend of mine was in a car crash in the mid-80's. He was lucky to survive, but spent 6 months in a hospital. When he came back to grad school, one day someone got him talking about the accident. He basically said "y'know when you hit your toe on the bed frame and it hurts like hell?", and everyone around the table went "yeah...", then he said, "now when I stub my toe it hurts just the same as it used to, but to me it doesn't hurt like hell anymore, it's just a mild annoyance compared to breaking lots of bones and staying 6 months in the hospital."

Another friend also suffered an accident in a car very similar to the one you posted, in the late 70's. Didn't break as many bones, but also spent 3 months in the hospital. His girlfriend was also in a different accident, in the same time frame, a mild accident by comparison, but the windshield broke and she was in the passenger seat -- her advice is that if you ever notice that the driver is going to crash, refrain from screaming and close your eyes or you may end up with glass inside your mouth and eyes. While this is *still* possible with laminated safety glass, it was much more common with old windshields that glass would end up everywhere.

So, forgive us Sean if we don't share your opinion -- you are welcome to your opinion, you have a right to it and to express it.

But you did not come here and ask "who likes old cars?", a fact that makes me respect you a bit more, you did in fact ask for our opinions and which we preferred.

And I respect your opinion and your taste -- you prefer old cars.

There's no need for justification, it is what you like.

So, perhaps you don't need to make up reasons or excuses, certainly nothing so frail as "it had more style", given that lots of people will disagree which was more stylish. Style and fashion change often and regularly make a full circle and come back again.

If you stick around for any length of time in this site, you'll find out many people here suffered accidents that would 20-30 years ago have sent them to the hospital for an extended stay, and they just walked out of the scene of the accident, some with a few bruises, but nothing major.

Personally, I consider that a massive improvement, but I tend to like my friends alive, healthy and well, thank you.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.

PS: we now have way more cars on the road and people driving than in 1950's, but they had way more people *dying* from car crashes back then than we have now. I appreciate the improvement.


Post# 954541 , Reply# 7   8/26/2017 at 03:34 (2,406 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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I like looking at classic cars, but I'll stick to modern cars for driving.







Post# 954544 , Reply# 8   8/26/2017 at 05:17 (2,406 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        
Both

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I wouldn't sell the two older cars we have sitting in the garage. But they have NONE of the safety features the newer ones have.

There is something to be said for all cars.


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Post# 954546 , Reply# 9   8/26/2017 at 06:09 (2,406 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Safety device for old AND new cars------The DRIVER.If you have a BAD driver in ANY car ---its Dangerous-Safe driver-any car is safer!I like my new 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.It is a "computer on wheels" but like it nonetheless.I haven't had much experience driving older cars-so I can't comment.

Post# 954552 , Reply# 10   8/26/2017 at 06:51 (2,406 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
If I won the lotto

I would never think of owning a new car, Then I could afford to drive a Desoto or a 300G everyday, dang the gas...Give me Full Time Chrysler Power Steering ANYDAY, If I ever want to drive a lumber wagon I will, I want effortless one finger control.

Post# 954562 , Reply# 11   8/26/2017 at 07:55 (2,406 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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My favorite vintage cars are from the late 1950s, especially GM cars. I like the fins/wings as well as the design of dashboard controls. And the acres of chrome, of course.

Neither of these beauties would come close to fitting in one of today's grocery store parking spaces.

As with vintage appliances, I'm glad there are people out there who have the passion (and inclination) to restore these cars.

Having said all that, I wouldn't trade the reliability, safety and creature comforts of today's cars as my daily driver. Sure would be great to take the '59 droptop Caddy out for a drive on Sundays, though!


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Post# 954568 , Reply# 12   8/26/2017 at 08:35 (2,406 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Safety and style

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I live in a city and state which is frequently tied with the worst places in Florida for drivers causing  bad accidents through bullheadedness.

"I ain't gonna and you cain't make me" is an actual phrase here in Wyoming.

Nobody who has driven here longer than one day enters the intersection the moment the light turns green - there's one or two cars who will be running the red light in the other two directions.

Everyone who has lived here for longer than a day knows that only limped-wristed pussy-boys wear safety belts.

The most important control in the whole car or pick'up truck is the hand-held cell phone.

 

So - much as I love vintage cars - the sad statistics we get to read in the papers every day here make it clear: The 1998 cars and later just have enormously higher survival rates.


Post# 954572 , Reply# 13   8/26/2017 at 08:59 (2,406 days old) by joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)        
Love my Sube, but if money grew on trees . . .

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. . . I would treat myself to a meticulously restored Studebaker Avanti.

 

Then, again, I love Lava Lamps, too.

 


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Post# 954574 , Reply# 14   8/26/2017 at 09:16 (2,406 days old) by beekeyknee (Columbia, MO)        
Panthera

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I thought you were going to say the most important control in the car was the cigarette lighter and ashtray. As far as cars go, I think older cars were cool and stylish and new cars are safer and boring. I believe there are too many distractions in new cars. The radio alone is distracting. When phones and other gadgets are added to the mix, it becomes dangerous.

Post# 954575 , Reply# 15   8/26/2017 at 09:17 (2,406 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Then, again, I love Lava Lamps, too.

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Perhaps W. Germany vases too? lol

Post# 954583 , Reply# 16   8/26/2017 at 10:14 (2,406 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

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While I do appreciate the many safety features in new cars, I like old cars better as far a styling goes and to a certain extant the way they drive. Out of the 23 cars I've owned since 1969 I've had a 55' Cadillac Coupe deVille, 64' Chevrolet Impala SS and a 67' Buick Skylark. The Skylark was my favorite car out of all 23. It was just the right size, being an intermediate, it wasn't too big or too small. It was easy to handle, rode smoothly, best power steering ever, great 2 speed Buick auto trans and it consistently got 19 mpg for a heavy V8 that could get up and go. I learned to drive in old boats like these and I have a great fondness for them.

But I can also recall the terrible accidents that I used to see in the 50's and 60's when the occupants weren't wearing seatbelts and they were speared by the steering column in a head-on or thrown thru the windshield, or the engine was sitting in their laps. My parents used to tell us to not to look when we came upon a scene like this, and of course, kids being kids we did just what we were told not to do.

But that being said, I can honestly say that I can't think of one new car that I can't live without. After owning 23 different cars, the thrill is gone for a new car. However, should I ever strike it rich, I'd love to own either a 51' Cadillac Convertible or Coupe de VIlle, 51' Chevrolet Bel Air convertible or HT, 51' Buick HT or another 67' Skylark.

But since this is not likely to happen I'll stick with my trusty, dependable 07' Honda Civic, which has been the most dependable car I've ever owned, had it since new, 54.800 miles and it feels like a part of me when I drive it. To satisfy my craving for vintage autos I have been a subscriber to Hemmings Classic Cars and before that Hemming Special Interest Autos. I look forward to every issue, brings back lots of great memories and its a whole lot less expensive than actally owning one of these classic works of art.
Eddie


Post# 954587 , Reply# 17   8/26/2017 at 10:33 (2,406 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

I like the performance, handling, and fuel economy of modern cars. For old cars I like the styling and big displacement engines.

I would not daily drive an old car for safety alone. I need to be able to maneuver, brake and accelerate quick to keep those bastards on the road from killing me. A loud horn is a must too! Just yesterday someone without even attempting to look tried to pull out of a parking lot on a curvy road right into me as I came around the corner, without that horn I would've had to swerve into oncoming traffic!


Post# 954592 , Reply# 18   8/26/2017 at 11:06 (2,406 days old) by JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)        
No matter what I drive, I use JDDI*

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Automotive safety technology available on every properly maintained mechanically sound vehicle. The world would be a much better place if EVERYONE used JDDI*!


*Just Drive, Damn It.


Post# 954595 , Reply# 19   8/26/2017 at 11:25 (2,406 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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There are a couple of newer cars that I like, but if I could choose any newer car, it would be a Ford Crown Victoria, which was the last full-size car Ford built.

Post# 954599 , Reply# 20   8/26/2017 at 11:56 (2,406 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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One difficulty I see with this question is what exactly is an old car? It seems like it's one of those labels that could have a bunch of definitions... Even for the same person. At times, I can see calling a 10 year old car old...but it's not the same old as a 1960 car.

 

This said...most of the cars I've owned have been "newer old." I have owned--exactly twice--a car with less than 100,000 miles, but in both cases it was barely under 100K. I have gotten at least one car with over 300K miles at the time of purchase (although the drive train wasn't original & untouched). The newest car was 8 years old (one of the

 

What made these cars attractive was, frankly, the cost.

 

Although I have to admit...I wish I could have something a little less worn someday... Many of my cars have been entirely local puddle hoppers, but it would be nice to have something I can drive across the state without thinking about... Indeed, I've been without a car for some months now, and I was talking a woman I know about it. I commented how I'd like something I could do wild and crazy things with...like driving to a nearby city (which has attractions like Trader Joe's).

 

I like cars that are much older for history and styling. Although I doubt I'd want one as daily driver...unless I wasn't driving it much. Strangely, perhaps, it isn't the safety argument others have, but more a consideration of liking more modern suspensions ability to keep the car reasonably stable going through curves.


Post# 954600 , Reply# 21   8/26/2017 at 11:57 (2,406 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Too true,

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My disdain for the hysterical ökodämmlichen Idioten back home in Germany who try to impose their personal rules on me doesn't extend to car safety. Much as I love our 74 Sedan deVille, I'll stick to airbags and rigid passenger compartments Any day. Too freakin' many jerks on the road.




This post was last edited 08/26/2017 at 13:03
Post# 954602 , Reply# 22   8/26/2017 at 11:59 (2,406 days old) by rickr (.)        
.

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I have two antique cars. A 1961 Oldsmobile Super 88 Bubbletop, and a 1955 Cadillac Coupe de'Ville. I love having and driving the old cars, however I feel much safer in my 2013 Volvo C70 retractable hardtop. The Volvo handles much better and is much easier to drive. Don't get me wrong. I still LOVE my old cars, and will always have them.

Post# 954603 , Reply# 23   8/26/2017 at 12:06 (2,406 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

I love looking at the older cars, my neighbor used to have an early 60s Lincoln convertible with the rearward doors. That was fun to ride in! What a barge.

But as far as owning or driving, I prefer newer cars because they are more comfortable and because of the newer conveniences.

My current car is a 2001 with a little over 100,000 on it. But for my next car I'd like something made within the last 5-8 years. I don't think I would ever buy a brand new car but I would want something with the latest technology and safety features.


Post# 954604 , Reply# 24   8/26/2017 at 12:08 (2,406 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Of course, when talking safety it seems to me that a lot comes down to a question of specific cars. Talk of eras can only be general. I recall there was some columnist for (IIRC) a Wall Street Journal Sunday supplement to the local paper that talked about his son getting an old Saab 900 about 10 years ago. There was some outcry--that isn't as safe as a new car! In some ways, probably true--but that car was probably, for its time, very safe. It might have even had technology no else ever had. That car was probably safer than some newer cars. I had a car 10 years newer, or so, with airbags--but apparently the crash protection was, ah, criticised by safety people when my car was new. In that case, an older Saab might have been, overall, safer.


Post# 954605 , Reply# 25   8/26/2017 at 12:11 (2,406 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Neither of these beauties would come close to fitting in one of today's grocery store parking spaces.

 

That reminds me of a grocery store not far from where I grew up. It closed, and later reopened as a thrift store (which seems to be the fate of old grocery stores here...). We never went there when it was a grocery store, but I have been there a few times since it opened up as a thrift store. They had the old parking lot stripes left. Very faded...and yet still visible enough. And wow! How big the slots were!

 

Another memory: parking lots in the 80s that had 2 sets of slots--regular, and ones for compact cars.


Post# 954607 , Reply# 26   8/26/2017 at 12:19 (2,406 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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But since this is not likely to happen I'll stick with my trusty, dependable 07' Honda Civic, which has been the most dependable car I've ever owned, had it since new, 54.800 miles and it feels like a part of me when I drive it.

 

55K miles is nothing in today's world. I'd think it should be easy for many cars to hit that these days with few troubles. It's when you cross the 200K mark (or so it seems) that you see the differences between "Yes, the odometer is high...but it runs like new!" and "This thing is ready for the junk yard!"

 

I talked to a car dealer recently, and he liked selling older Hondas (older by his standards--say 2000-2010 range) because they still could have usable life even at 200K miles.

 

My father had an Acura Integra (based on the Honda Civic IIRC). The car didn't get obsessive must make this thing last! maintenance, but it lasted nearly 300K miles. A mechanic told me that with aggressive maintenance, he's seen those Integras go 500K+ miles.


Post# 954639 , Reply# 27   8/26/2017 at 15:48 (2,405 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Nice ride, Rick!


Post# 954644 , Reply# 28   8/26/2017 at 16:00 (2,405 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
I drive a 03 Mercury Grand Marquis

Which is as close to a old car as I can get without getting one, I take issue with old cars not being as comfortable as new...Big old Chryslers Cadillacs Olds and Buicks are MUCH more comfortable than anything today, and the cars of the 50s and 60s are much less likely to get you into an accident in the first place because you can see out of them so much better, the visibility in newer cars is terrible, get behind the wheel of say a early 60s Buick or Olds and look around, you can see all 4 corners of the car and can tell exactly where you are in the road.with new cars its guess work because you cant see anything!

Post# 954653 , Reply# 29   8/26/2017 at 16:46 (2,405 days old) by Stan (Napa CA)        
I'm the odd ball..again

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I've never owned anything newer than a 1976 (not shown here)
So I don't know the difference.
When I ride with someone in a newer car, it's feels odd to me. I'm somewhat uncomfortable, not cuz I feel unsafe, just uncomfortable. Guess I'm use to the floating couch, and smooth ride. However, I also appreciate they way someone else's cars take corners, accelerates, and brakes, opposed to my old girls.
Seeing the crash vidieo above.. Has me wondering what I'm doing still driving these old things.


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Post# 954655 , Reply# 30   8/26/2017 at 16:49 (2,405 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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The visibility in older cars is mush better than newer cars! A nice thing about old cars is you can fix then all by yourself, when it come to newer cars mine as well forget about it. You would have to spend a lot on buying all of the tools, and diagnostic equipment, while you just need the basic tools and knolege to fix an old car.

Post# 954658 , Reply# 31   8/26/2017 at 17:03 (2,405 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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When I ride with someone in a newer car, it's feels odd to me.

 

I feel that way, too, and my newest car was a 1990s model...

 

 

A nice thing about old cars is you can fix then all by yourself, when it come to newer cars mine as well forget about it.

 

I have known at least one person who purposely bought cars from the 1970s because he could do the work.

 

Of course, newer car supporters will cite less need for repair, and less maintenance required. Valid points, although, of course, when something does go wrong it is more likely to cost $$$$.


Post# 954660 , Reply# 32   8/26/2017 at 17:15 (2,405 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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I've noticed when a new car gets hit real bad how much stuff under the hood gets exposed...

I've seen radiator fans, portions of batteries and even washer fluid vessels (siphoning, anyone?) become exposed...

So, older cars w/ much more heavier metal (other than being heavier) are certainly crash-worthy, as well as maintain the right amount of stability on the road...


-- Dave


Post# 954666 , Reply# 33   8/26/2017 at 17:51 (2,405 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

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Hey Stan, you need to splurge on a set of the newly revived yellow-on-black plates for the Plymouth!  They look ridiculous on newer cars, but are right at home on pre-1970 ones.


Post# 954673 , Reply# 34   8/26/2017 at 18:12 (2,405 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

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Well I have 2010 Camry that is paid for. I love it because it's reliable, gas efficient and rides well. Gets me from point A to point B with no issues. Even though it's a 4 cylinder engine, it doesn't feel like one and my car has plenty of balls to merge into the traffic we have here on the highways. You can pine and whine about these old cars of yesteryear, I will pass.



This post was last edited 08/26/2017 at 18:55
Post# 954674 , Reply# 35   8/26/2017 at 18:12 (2,405 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

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Backside....

Post# 954675 , Reply# 36   8/26/2017 at 18:14 (2,405 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        
that is paid for

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The very best kind of car.

 

"Paid for" is one reason I've never had anything but an old car.


Post# 954678 , Reply# 37   8/26/2017 at 18:28 (2,405 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Even though it's a 4 cylinder engine, it does feel like one and my car has plenty of balls to merge into the traffic we have here on the highways.

 

All my cars have had 4 cylinder engines, and, apart from the 4 cylinder oil crisis era econobox, the engines have been adequately powerful. Of course, it probably helps that all but the econobox had a manual transmission. (Real men drive manual transmissions, and what's good enough for a real man is good enough for me. LOL)

 

I remember when Honda released a V6 for the Accord. i read a review. The reviewer's take: the V6 was more expenisve, less fuel efficient, and not a whole lot more powerful than the 4 cylinder engine. But...in defense of Honda, 4 cylinder engines were often a hard sell in the US--unless gas prices were high...


Post# 954679 , Reply# 38   8/26/2017 at 18:31 (2,405 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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I don't even know why people like to lease cars, it does not make sense at all. 'Leasing' is another word for renting!

Post# 954680 , Reply# 39   8/26/2017 at 18:33 (2,405 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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I don't even know why people like to lease cars, it does not make sense at all. 'Leasing' is another word for renting!

Post# 954685 , Reply# 40   8/26/2017 at 18:58 (2,405 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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Yes, Sean, leasing IS renting and you pay for the period you use it and no more. Trade it in and get another or pay off the residual and buy it outright or just walk away at the end of the lease period. It all depends on peoples circumstances and what they can afford and what they want. I personally never have leased a vehicle and my 2013 Silverado was paid off the day I bought it.

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Post# 954691 , Reply# 41   8/26/2017 at 19:24 (2,405 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

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I own seven four wheeled vehicles, ranging from a '50 Plymouth not unlike Stan's, to a '99 Chrysler 300M.

Clearly the '99 is much much safer than the 60's and 50's vehicles. Airbags, crushable space forward, antilock brakes, etc. It is also more reliable.

But of course I love the older rides, I just don't like to commute in them.

As for the driver being the primary safety factor, well, that depends. You can be safest driver in the world but if you're in any car and someone comes barrelling over the divider and hits you head-on, you'd have a much better chance of survival in a modern vehicle. And yes, bigger is also safer, in general.

If I were to sell all my vehicles and settle on just one, I'd get one of the new Chrysler Pacifica minivans. They handle much like a big sedan, are not too bad on gas (esp. the new plug-in hybrid version), and are quite comfortable. They can hold a lot, as well, for trips to the hardware store for building supplies or elsewhere for furniture. I understand with all but the driver and front passenger seats "stowed", it can also hold a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood (or whatever). Plus I could see them doing well for single or double car camping trips.





Post# 954694 , Reply# 42   8/26/2017 at 19:44 (2,405 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

"I don't even know why people like to lease cars, it does not make sense at all. 'Leasing' is another word for renting!"

Well, there are many ways to interpret that question.

I will choose to interpret it as if you were honestly curious about it.

What is there to say against "renting" or "leasing"? Sure, you don't own the thing when you stop paying the rent/lease and return the car/house etc.

But just like not everyone can own a house or even if they *can* afford to own a home they might not want to, there's a place for leasing a car.

Sometimes that means *physically*, like a place like Los Angeles is not ideal to lease a car if you are driving more than 12,000 or 15,000 miles per year, depending on your contract.

But for me, leasing was a no brainer. We were a one car home because we didn't need two for the most part. When it came time we needed 2 cars and it was obvious that that was a temporary condition, we ran some calculations.

We could buy a car, but that cost (when all was said and done) much more than leasing. We did not need two cars like most people do. Most of the time, the Subaru Outback is all we need, and it's paid for and we only needed another commuter car.

So, I leased a smart car for 3 years, at only $150/month. Why? Because if I walked a mile to the rental car agent down my street and got a car for a day it was something like $30-40 a pop, and I'd need to do that at least once a week, if not 2 or 3 times a week. Cabs and similar (Uber, Lift) are not much cheaper either for where I live and where I'd need to commute to.

So, for just about $150/month I had the car full time to do whatever and go wherever I wanted to.

I really loved the smart car and suggest people in similar circumstances at least go for a test drive before criticizing it. No, it's not a car for everyone, and it's definitely a car for good highways and cities, you do not want to drive thru a big pothole with it because if your tire gets mangled (no, it does not get mangled by driving over potholes all the time, just some combinations of particular speeds and sizes of potholes), you do not have a spare, you'll want to get towed. And no, I *never* once got a tire problem or any other mechanical problems in the 3 years I leased.

You also need to be prepared for the people who might be sick in the head out there -- way too many times I was stuck behind a car or worse, an 18-wheeler, going at 55 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone, and when I saw it was safe, I'd pass them at 65-70 mph and now those crazy folks (with possibly small dicks) who just couldn't bear that a small car zoomed past them would either try to tailgate me or pass me at over 80 mph. It was even funnier when the state police would stop them and fine them for speeding.

Anyway, I'm thankful that I live somewhere where we have so many choices so we can fit different people and styles -- much better than friends of mine described their experience in certain places where the state decided what was good for everyone and one had to pay thru the nose for a Trabant or similar.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.




CLICK HERE TO GO TO earthling177's LINK


Post# 954697 , Reply# 43   8/26/2017 at 20:03 (2,405 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
The Chrysler Pacifica is not a bad car, but unfortunately Chrysler is owned by Fiat now.

Post# 954698 , Reply# 44   8/26/2017 at 20:08 (2,405 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
I'll stick with "new" cars.  Have had four since 1986.  Haven't had a car payment since 1989, which counts from finishing #1.


Post# 954716 , Reply# 45   8/26/2017 at 21:10 (2,405 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Chrysler owned by FIAT...

sudsmaster's profile picture
What's wrong with that? Before FIAT, it was owned by Daimler Benz, and in between by Dan Quayle's investment group, "Cerberos", which is the name of the three headed dog of Hell.

I think FIAT has helped to improve Chrysler's offerings. The new RAM pickup in addition to the Pacifica. They did seem to sort of miss the mark with the Renegade and the Cherokee, though. The Charger/Challenger/300 trio seem to have improved significantly under FIAT's ownership, although all three models initially predated the acquisition.

What is odd, however, is that while FIAT is a successful international company specializing in small cars, it has fumbled trying to field a truly competitive small car in the US. The FIAT 500 family has been panned for its reliability woes, the larger 500L for a plethora of drawbacks. The Alpha based Chrysler 200 remake has fallen short in terms of mechanicals. FIAT announced it was going to concentrate on the most profitable segment, the SUV/Jeep, but I haven't really seen anything all that remarkable arise. Maybe the new Wrangler will do the magic trick of addressing its roadability and comfort issues and still keep the off-road crowd happy, but I doubt it.

But Chrysler had many of these same issues before FIAT took over, and without FIAT Chrysler would probably be a dead duck. Latest rumor I read recently is that a Chinese operation wants to buy the Jeep brand off FIAT/Chrysler. That would be a mistake for FIAT, I think, since it contains some of the most profitable models it sells. But it could allow FCAU to field a competitive Dodge branded SUV line and/or off-road vehicle. The Durango gets good reviews but can't shoulder the load alone; it needs to be supplemented with a small SUV and a larger luxury version.

Well, that's my take on it. I have seen FIAT's ownership as a net positive for Chrysler.




Post# 954724 , Reply# 46   8/26/2017 at 21:48 (2,405 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Well, one thing has changed for the better since Fiat

panthera's profile picture

took over Chrysler.

Parts availability has improved enormously. I hate, hate, hate, loath and detest the local Dodge dealer. Loathsome people. Monsters.

Horrid.

Every part, whether it be a peanut lamp for the panel display or a $3.50 plastic clip for the door lock is 'not owner serviceable' and costs over $500 to be replaced by them.

Everything.

So - I go to Laramie or Douglas or Fort Collins and the Chrysler/Dodge dealers there are happy to sell me the part for a few bucks, give me a tip or two and that's that.

Under Daimler, it was impossible to get anything out of MOPAR without a fight.

 

And, dahlinks - let's not forget how rah-rah ameriKa some were about Whirlpool buying out Maytag and not those awful Chinese (you know, the ones who promised to keep the production and jobs here in the US?). Yeah, how did that work out? Oh, right.

 


Post# 954726 , Reply# 47   8/26/2017 at 21:50 (2,405 days old) by Xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )        

xraytech's profile picture
I'm split on cars. My biggest requirement is that it's an upper-end General Motors product.

I currently have a 2013 Cadillac XTS Luxury, I like the feel of driving the car, as well as the front and side airbags, front and rear parking sensors, ABS, traction control. I also love the amenities not found on older offerings such as the keyless start, panoramic moonroof, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, and remote start.

The things I don't like are the standard 19" tires are very expensive, and you can't get aggressive snow tires for it, and secondly I'd like a larger car, however I realize this is the "new" full size.

I also have an older car, while its not as old as some, it's still old enough for Classic plates.

I have a 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. I love it's very large size, the 5.7 litre V-8, the floaty ride and the incredible feel and handling only found in a RWD car. It is new enough to have dual front air bags, but doesn't have traction control or ABS. It does have heated seats, however the other options I've become accustomed to weren't offered at the time.
This car has better visibility than my 2013, and I still average about 20 mpg.
It is a car I still feel safe in eve considering its age, and gives me the size and feel I like for daily driving to help keep the miles down on the 2013 since I average around 22/25k miles a year.

Oh and the 1993 has a hood ornament which is my most favorite accessory.


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Post# 954731 , Reply# 48   8/26/2017 at 22:04 (2,405 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
That Silverado pictured earlier was the 5th Chevy truck I have owned. Only reason I traded my last '95 because the frame and gas tank rotted out with this crap they put on the roads. I came from a Ford family as my great uncle owned the dealership, he died, new owners screwed everyone and Ford would do nothing. I never had problems with my GM vehicles with many going well over 100000 miles with nothing other than normal maintenance. They say your mileage may vary but my mileage has worked just fine. I had big problems with not only Fords, but Dodge and especially Toyota and the dealers were no help to fix anything.

Post# 954732 , Reply# 49   8/26/2017 at 22:12 (2,405 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
The only newer cars I don't mind are anything made between 1980-2010, anything newer than 2010 is not all that great, but there are some cars that are decent for what they are.

Post# 954735 , Reply# 50   8/26/2017 at 22:33 (2,405 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

My great uncle has a '99 DeVille. It just wafts down the road and sure is quiet, the powertrain is my favorite part even though it's the dreaded NorthStar, but having a quiet smooth V8 pulling you is a luxury I can really appreciate and sad we don't really get that anymore thanks to CAFE and cost cutting.
The handling and especially the steering feel (or lacktherof) makes me uncomfortable driving the car for long though. I would hate to have to make an evasive maneuver in it.

I guess the comfort is good, I never really got to drive that car much as this uncle lives in Texas. I didn't think the interior room was particularly impressive, and the seats don't really quite do it for me. It probably doesn't help that I'm comparing it to my modern car, a 2013 Nissan Altima with the zero gravity seats and a decent handling ride that also manages to provide an isolated floaty feel. I can drive that car for hours on end without much fatigue.


Post# 954743 , Reply# 51   8/26/2017 at 23:40 (2,405 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture
Well, My work car is an '01 VW diesel Beetle with 245,000 miles on it that were all put on by me and I still love that car. My boat puller/winter weather driver is an 01 GMC jimmy with just over 100,000 miles on it. But I really enjoy driving our new Lincoln MKS in my profile pic. It's AWD, will go in ANY weather. It is a V6, but has more power than our previous 07 Cadillac DTS with the high performance version of the Northstar and won't start blowing oil when it gets 75,000 miles on it. It handles like a German car (have had 3 VW's, 1 Audi, and 3 Mercedes so I can compare) and is effortless to drive. We know it can handle a crash because Tony totaled our last MKS in 2016 by taking out a utility pole. Yes, the car broke into a zillion pieces, but the cabin was totally intact and he walked out alive in one piece. As much as I like some of the older Mercedes, Volvo, and VW cars, I think I'll keep our new Lincoln. It has blind spot monitoring, rear cameras, front and back parking sensors, and will call for help in an accident. It even has front seat butt massagers!

Post# 954746 , Reply# 52   8/27/2017 at 01:15 (2,405 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

I learned to drive on a '74 Olds Custom Cruiser: 127" wheelbase, 233" length, 455 4 bbk V8, held 9 with the forward facing 3rd seat, back window slid up into the roof and the gate down under the spare tire. With its limited slip differential and a set of aggressive snows it was unstoppable in winter.

So yeah. I do feel comfortable when I sit behind the wheel and see a hood large enough to be a runway and the windshield & side windows are far from my head. I agree with Hans: In those aircraft carriers it WAS easier to know where all 4 corners were at all times.

The limited slip/ABS/stability control combo is important enough that I wouldn't want a car without it. Beyond that, I'm not sure whether the additional safety features outweigh the value of size and weight.

However, budget, driving environment, need to carry passengers, etc. often take priority over preferences. In 2008 I put $99 down on a Smartcar. Alas, my then present car died before I could take delivery of the commuter's dream.....

FFWD to 2012: I purchased the Nissan Cube many of you have seen. It holds 4 REALLY tall guys or 2 and a Maytag. I cruises silently at 80+ mph while giving 30+ mpg. It fits into amazingly small parking spaces. Jump to 2017: July 10th I mailed in my last loan payment, nearly a year early. July 24th an idiot came to a halt at a fork on a major highway, went right, changed his mind and went left cutting me off. I managed to avoid him but the van behind me wasn't so great at avoiding. Attached are pics of the result.

I did check out a SmartCar, but alas, those $150/month deals are not available in my area.

I decided on another Cube, I found a few and Louis (NewVista58) was kind enough to accompany me to check out the most likely prospect. Louis' automotive brilliance kept the salesman's babble to a minimum and a deal was struck. Last Saturday we picked it up.

It's 2 years older than my previous one, but with lower yearly mileage. I've only had it a week, but so far, so good.

In a perfect world I'd have 3 cars, I think: One would be a plug-in hybrid, AWD version of my Cube or a 4 door SmartCar for everyday use. One would be a big old boat in mint condition '77 Town & Country? New Yorker? The third? Some uber 4x4 and I've always had a weakness for the MB Gelandewagen.... However, I suspect at some point disproving accusations of "compensation" would stop being amusing and start being annoying....


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Post# 954761 , Reply# 53   8/27/2017 at 06:41 (2,405 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
A 50 PLYMOUTH

Now THAT I would drive every day!!!Had a 53 Plymouth and a 53 Imperial, Wish I had them back!

Post# 954772 , Reply# 54   8/27/2017 at 07:56 (2,405 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Two reasons we aren't so keen on new cars

panthera's profile picture

1) With few exceptions, American cars put out from the early '80s through the mid-90's were AWFUL. Poor quality, horrid design, badly made environmental controls, cheap plastic.

2) Today's cars frequently look like those bars of soap you see in the shower just before you toss them and put in a new one. Slippery, yes. Pretty, no.

 

Quality has improved, but our collective memories have not. Older people who can afford brand new cars have noticed but people under 50 who are still driving cars from that era are so not impressed by their poor quality.

 

Safety - there's no question that it's better for the energy from a crash to be absorbed through destruction of the car's front end, motor, frame, etc. than in the passenger compartment. Ditto elsewhere. This is one big reason cars from the '90s or so on tend to crumple like tin-foil up to the firewall - and then stay together really well.

 

I've got a customer who owns a temporary holding yard (just like 'previously owned automobile' it's American for 'junk yard'). He lets me browse there regularly. From what I can tell, except for American trucks (the Republicans exempted them from most safety regulations), the best US cars to be in really bad crashes are the Subaru and larger GM models and the ubiquitous FORD/Mercury/Lincoln 'Crown Victoria'/Grand Marquis/Town Car.

 

Trucks are awful at roll-overs.

 

Then again, when people refuse to wear safety belts, it's all academic. I was out one night with a bunch of Wyoming queens a few years back. Only one wearing a safety belt. When they called me chicken, I said I'd rather decelerate at the same rate as the car with the car absorbing the energy than the other way round. They weren't impressed.

 

But, then - our generation filtered air polloution through our asbestos cigarette filters, so it was a silly thing to discuss anyway. 


Post# 954836 , Reply# 55   8/27/2017 at 12:47 (2,405 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

I have to admit that I'm one of those who has trouble remembering that quality on US cars has improved. Part of me feels like it's 1985, and Detroit is busy cranking out garbage. And, worse, trying to sell "improved" quality through various ads. Cheaper to buy a catchy ad campaign than actually improve quality.

 

Part of my problem is simply that I do tend to be behind the times--newest car I ever even looked at buying was 1990 something. But also there is a factor that I frankly know few people who drive a Detroit car. A lot of people I know went Japanese in the 80s, and just refused to look back. Someone my parents knew bought some Japanese car just because it was a cheap, fuel efficient second car. Years later, they realized that at 80,000 miles that car had all its original parts, unlike any Detroit car they'd ever had. And that was that--they decided we'll buy Japanese cars from here on out.

 

Admittedly, of course, those Japanese cars probably weren't as good as they were later on... I remember talking in 2000 to a mechanic about a 1980 or so Honda he was selling that he'd gone over. He commented that 150,000 miles or whatever it certainly was on a replacement engine. I then told him that my father's then Acura had over 200,000 miles, and not intention of quitting soon. The mechanic said yes, the Acura could do that. But the early Hondas in his experience didn't have an engine with that sort of life expectancy.




This post was last edited 08/27/2017 at 13:09
Post# 954837 , Reply# 56   8/27/2017 at 12:55 (2,405 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

Then again, when people refuse to wear safety belts, it's all academic.

 

Thanks to some of my relatives, I saw the whole "I won't wear a seat belt!!!!" thing when I was growing up. I had relatives who preached that classic line about how much better you were getting flung free from a car that crashed or some such nonsense. I had other relatives that had no argument, but just never bothered wearing seat belts. Of course, they shut up and started using belts when it became a law with a fine attached.

 

One of my grandmothers was really bad about not wearing a seat belt. I recall us having to remind her constantly to put it on when she rode with us. Her last visits out here we had mandatory seat belt laws. Past that, it was just plain common safety sense in this area--I don't honestly remember a time when I didn't wear a seat belt. I think my parents started wearing them in the 60s.

 

 


Post# 954842 , Reply# 57   8/27/2017 at 13:09 (2,405 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
Japanese cars are good, but the newer ones are cheaply made. In fact, all new cars are cheaply made! Cars from the late 1990's and early 2000's will be around forever, simply because they built really well.

Post# 954846 , Reply# 58   8/27/2017 at 13:17 (2,405 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Watch the video linked by Louis in Reply #7. That will explain the "You're better off being ejected from the car.." argument.

Not true today. You're much safer inside when accidents happen.


Post# 954893 , Reply# 59   8/27/2017 at 16:47 (2,404 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
Frankly...

twintubdexter's profile picture

...as much as I love vintage cars, especially late 50's and 60's, I will refrain from making any comments concerning which manufacturer is better or worse. Even if there were a million responses posted here you would never get a majority to agree on one brand. Very old cars are probably not the best choice for commuting or  making lengthy trips from your home. As a retired oldster, I at one time made day trips to Los Angeles, San Diego or even Mexico. Now I rarely venture farther than the grocery store, and when I do I usually take my truck. 

 

The "old" cars for the most part remain in the garage. I do occasionally use the Cadillac instead of the pickup since it's so enjoyable to drive and us full-figured boys love those big doors. The Buick goes out for trips around the block and for local car club events. Both vehicles are air conditioned, a must here in the desert where today's temperature is slated to reach close to 120. I'd like to figure out a way to be buried in the Buick but I doubt they could dig a hole big enough. Do the cremate cars? 


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Post# 954934 , Reply# 60   8/27/2017 at 23:10 (2,404 days old) by Kevin313 (Detroit, Michigan)        

kevin313's profile picture
I enjoy the old and new.

My daily driver is a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica that is a comfortable ride and yet serves as a workhorse to schlep my vintage appliances and other collections around.

My occasional drive - during good weather- is my 1964 Dodge 440 sedan which I've had for many years. It has a 318 V-8, push button automatic transmission, power steering and brakes. While it lacks many safety features - it does have seatbelts in the front only - it is still a pleasure to drive and gets over 21 mpg.


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Post# 954936 , Reply# 61   8/27/2017 at 23:11 (2,404 days old) by amyofescobar (oregon)        

amyofescobar's profile picture
Just give me a '92 Honda Accord.

Post# 954946 , Reply# 62   8/28/2017 at 00:15 (2,404 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
tnese are my favorite old cars. I am a big fan of old Fords.

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Post# 954949 , Reply# 63   8/28/2017 at 00:47 (2,404 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        

twintubdexter's profile picture

Station wagons, once poo-pooed by some collectors, are really coming into their own now. So are cars from the 70's and 80's. It seems that only a few years ago they were just used cars. Maybe it has something to do with my getting older...rapidly.

 

What a wagon huh? 1959 Mercury from a show in Carmel CA.


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Post# 954952 , Reply# 64   8/28/2017 at 01:46 (2,404 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
The worst car my family had was a 1970-something LTD wagon.


Post# 954954 , Reply# 65   8/28/2017 at 02:21 (2,404 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Station Wagon----Couldn't these be thought of as the first SUV's or "soccer mom" cars?When I was growing up we had a Rambler station wagon and an International Travelall.Don't remember what year they were.Rambler was red-International was white.

Post# 954963 , Reply# 66   8/28/2017 at 05:09 (2,404 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)        
I'm a bit of a late comer, but

speedqueen's profile picture
My current car is a 1975 Cadillac Sedan De Ville. The ride is wonderful, I don't know how those folks lost control in that LTD, cars this long are so predictable when the tail slides out that if you cannot correct it, that is your problem, not the car's. And to 2nd Hans' point about visibility, I can certainly place where the car is. With visibility like this you don't need blind spot monitoring nor rear view cameras. This car has been terrible for reliability though, I think I'm the only person to invest more than a penny into repairs and maintenance in 40 years. I think I'm going to sell it and buy a late '60s Cadillac, when build quality was better. It's a money pit at this point and the body is rusted out, I think it is time to cut my losses.

About the '59 vs '09 crash test, the IIHS cherry picked the '59 to chose the worst car for crash performance made after the 1930s. The '59 chevy used the X frame which was why the '09 caused so much intrusion combined with the fact that the '59 in question was a base model with straight 6 engine that wasn't wide enough to absorb any of the blow. If they used Fords for the comparison the '59 would have fared better as Ford kept the old ladder type frame later. Ford also placed their steering gear behind the axle thus you wouldn't have seen the steering column and dash come inward.


Post# 954966 , Reply# 67   8/28/2017 at 05:46 (2,404 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

Joe, Tony and I used to have an Eldo like yours but with a metal roof.  It was a nice car but developed the Northstar curse.  The worst car my parents ever owned was a 1984 Mercury Lynx wagon aka Ford Escort.  That thing was a lemon from day one.  It's also the car that made my dad swear off 4-bangers.  He will buy no less than a V6 now.  It made my mother never want a FoMoCo product ever again although my dad does drive a Ford Ranger. Mother likes Buicks/Chevys now. 

 

Here's what our previous Lincoln MKS looked like after the altercation with a utility pole.  Even as bad as the front was crushed, when I hit the start button, the engine started!  Of course it was undriveable.


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Post# 954971 , Reply# 68   8/28/2017 at 07:15 (2,404 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Ill take a 64 Dodge

Once you take the wheel of a Chrysler product with torsion bar suspension and full time power steering....Nothing else is in the running..In my opinion of course..LOL I love being able to steer and park without any effort.

Post# 954978 , Reply# 69   8/28/2017 at 07:47 (2,404 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
If you like cars

then you like cars! Old or new, cars can be fun.

I don't see why it is bad that Fiat SPA owns Chrysler now. They certainly have not hurt them like Daimler or Cerberus did.
Trucks, crossovers, and suv's currently out sell cars. Great Wall of China has expressed interest in purchasing Jeep from Fiat. Sergio Marccioni is retiring in 2018, and would like to close a deal before then. That would boost his departure package quite a bit, as it did for Bob Eaton when Daimler bought Chrysler.


Post# 954979 , Reply# 70   8/28/2017 at 07:50 (2,404 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Greg,

panthera's profile picture

I hope nobody was hurt! Wow! And, yes - that's what I was talking about, the cars today are designed to absorb as much of the energy as possible, leaving the passenger compartment out of it to the greatest extent possible. Crumple zones and designed in 'failure' points, energy absorbing materials, etc.

 

The Pinto as designed was no more prone to catching on fire than any other car of it's era. It was the last minute changes (a weakness at FORD which also hurt the 64 1/2 Mustang, though in a different way) which caused that vulnerability. 

 

I like my Chrysler Mini-Van, but am so unhappy with the local dealer that if anything major every blew up which required their special equipment, I'd junk it and buy something new from someone else. Anyone else, even sight-unseen off of Craigslist before I'd do business with them. 


Post# 954981 , Reply# 71   8/28/2017 at 07:56 (2,404 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Mid-70's Cadillac

panthera's profile picture

We have a '74 waiting on a THM400. Sigh. While the quality is 10^27 better than that of our '89 Fleetwood Brougham d' Elegance (a YUGO was better put together than that piece of trash), there's no doubt that GM had already lost their way. There were still some great cars - the last Fleetwoods of that era were extraordinarily well built by anyone's standards, the '91,'92 and '93 (yes they still were on the market in '93, never mind what some books say) were great cars. Just, '89 and '90 - We spent more time under the hood and under the car and in the trunk than behind the wheel. Trash from start to finish.


Post# 954989 , Reply# 72   8/28/2017 at 08:38 (2,404 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

Vague recollection of an explanation a friend or I received at some point in the past for '75 more troubleprone than '74 or '76, given that no major modifications took place w/GM mid- and full-sized:

'74 - cars took leaded; emissions solved by higher run temps. Hence original overflow containers replaced by 1 gal clorox bottles. No other problems.

'75 - unleaded required; a slew of new emissions controls implemented; EPA satisfied by all sorts of new tech still effectively in beta stage - multiple problems.

'76 - problems of '75's new tech resolved.

Anyone get a similar explanation?
----------------------

Agreed. 1980's were a decade best forgotten regarding quality control from Detroit products. One notable exception was my parents' 1986 Chrysler LeBaron GTS hatchback. 2.2l turbo I w/less aggressive of the 2 handling packages. ZERO problems until around 185K miles.

----------------------

"The ride is wonderful, I don't know how those folks lost control in that LTD, cars this long are so predictable when the tail slides out that if you cannot correct it, that is your problem, not the car's. And to 2nd Hans' point about visibility, I can certainly place where the car is. With visibility like this you don't need blind spot monitoring nor rear view cameras."

Agree 110%.

-----------------------

I'm with Hans. Those old Chrysler products had the best balance of ride and handling. Effortless steering & parking, pillowy ride, yet you still knew exactly what was going on with all 4 tires at all times.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO warmsecondrinse's LINK


Post# 955012 , Reply# 73   8/28/2017 at 12:13 (2,404 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture

Interesting article in the paper the other day . The top selling vehicle in Canada for the past 20 years isn't a car at all, it's the Ford F150 followed by the Honda Civic at #2.  The F150 has also been the top selling truck for the past 50 years and unlike the US,, over 50% of Cdn F150's are sold with the V8 compared to just 30% these days in the U.S. 


Post# 955019 , Reply# 74   8/28/2017 at 12:52 (2,404 days old) by Xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )        

xraytech's profile picture
Growing up the worst car we had was a 1987 Celebrity Classic sedan with the dreaded 4 cyl engine. It was traded in in early 1992 on a leftover 1991 Cabiler RS sedan. The odd thing I knew several people with Celebrities or the other A-body GM products that were trouble free and all ended up being high mileage cars. They all had either the 2.8 liter v-6 in the Celebrity or the 3.3 litre v-6 in the other models. I eventually owned a 91 Century that other than being bare bones basic was very trouble free

The pic below was exactly like the one we had except ours was gray.


Post# 955024 , Reply# 75   8/28/2017 at 13:02 (2,404 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
The current issue of Hemmings Classic Cars has an article about the 1957 Oldsmoblie Starfire 98 convertible. My Dads' car was exactly like this one in 1957, only it was black, with a white top. This is the car we drove to Disneyland in in August 1957. It was a beautiful car. We drove the whole way to Anaheim from Richmond, Calif. on old hwy 99 with the top down. I remember that it was hot as hell! My Dad had a Desert Bag tied to the front bumper, in case we overheated far from a service station.

In 1958 when my Dad got his 58' Corvette my Mom got the 57' Olds and his secretary got Mom's 55' turquiose and white 55' Chevrolet Belair HT, a win-win for all concerned.

Here is a photo of Mom standing next to the 57'Olds.
Eddie


CLICK HERE TO GO TO ea56's LINK


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This post was last edited 08/28/2017 at 13:51
Post# 955026 , Reply# 76   8/28/2017 at 13:06 (2,404 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

Ah, the Celebrity brings back memories... It was one of the cars I drove in driver's training--and it was probably overall the best of the lot. The Ford Tempo was probably for me hardest to drive--the steering was too sensitive for me--and the Cavalier drove fine (I liked it the best), but was--for the school--a reliability nightmare. (One teacher told me they were due to get a new car the next term, and the Cavalier would go away since it was the oldest car. The moment it went away could not possibly come soon enough for him.)


Post# 955036 , Reply# 77   8/28/2017 at 13:29 (2,404 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
New but nostalgic design

This is my 2014 Ford Mustang.

It looks a lot like the original 1960's Mustangs and really drives well. I like rear wheel drive and most cars have front wheel drive. Rear wheel drive used to be the cheapest system. Then front wheel drive came along and was made almost universal. Now rear wheel drive is mainly for expensive cars, Mercedes, BMW, Camaros, Mustangs. The Mustang has the Shaker Stereo and a CD player.

Other interior design features are retro also. I like that the radio still has a volume knob and tuning knob. But you can link your phone and use voice commands also.

I had a 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible many years ago, but I like having the convenience of freedom from repairs that a newer car provides.


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Post# 955069 , Reply# 78   8/28/2017 at 17:09 (2,403 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
No Whiplash Injuries for Me!

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Driving in heavy bumper-to-bumper/stop-and-go traffic made me appreciate the sea of headrests in my car, behind where everybody has to sit!

(Whew, Thank God!)



-- Dave


Post# 955100 , Reply# 79   8/28/2017 at 19:25 (2,403 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture

I lost  most of my interest in cars after the GM downsizing of 1977. They were never the same after that and I'm so glad I bit the bullet and bought my brand new 75 Electra at the time because word was out by then that 76 would be the last year. So it was either now or never..  Post 77 model year cars do little to excite me. 


Post# 955103 , Reply# 80   8/28/2017 at 19:52 (2,403 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Unfortunately where I live, I have to own a 4WD vehicle. Those that have experienced a winter in this neck of the woods would agree. I have an "81 Corvette that has rear wheel drive that I would gladly sell for the right price. The novelty has worn off.

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Post# 955116 , Reply# 81   8/28/2017 at 21:40 (2,403 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
1964 Dodge 440

combo52's profile picture

Wow Kevin That Dodge looks great, If you are going to own an older car get one that is well built and designed like most Chrysler products from the late 50s onward.


Post# 955122 , Reply# 82   8/28/2017 at 23:00 (2,403 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
In 1996

I drove my 62 Plymouth Fury from Lenoir NC to St Louis Mo, a 12 hour trip, there and back I used less than a quart of oil and got better than 18 mpg , driving 70 and better most of the way...a good old wide block 318 and a pushbutton Torqueflite is a hard combination to beat.

Post# 955124 , Reply# 83   8/28/2017 at 23:29 (2,403 days old) by Stan (Napa CA)        
The crash test that

stan's profile picture
Louis posted scared me! LOL
At least enough to have it on my mind the whole time I was driving today. As I drove around (50 Plymouth) not wearing a seat belt..
As I have thousands of times (car doesn't have them)...I realized that my driving habits are completely out mooted, and I haven't been fully aware!
I've adjusted to the car, and I've have these subconscious habits...not following as close as everyone else is, I'm anticipating stops....judging the speed of oncoming traffic, and not pulling out cuz I can't get out fast enough...Guess Ive been subconsciously aware of the limitations, but today I started paying closer attention. I also started to pay attention to how other people were driving, and for a moment, I felt that the world has jumped head, while I wasn't paying attention!
Just wanted to share these sudden self observations, and thank those who mentioned the safety issues.


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Post# 955132 , Reply# 84   8/29/2017 at 05:50 (2,403 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        
Panthera

askolover's profile picture

Tony received minor bruises from the airbags and a seatbelt burn on his shoulder and neck!  The Microsoft Sync system in the car was linked with his cell phone and the car automatically began dialing through his phone list to notify us of an accident after it called 911...all by itself.


Post# 955143 , Reply# 85   8/29/2017 at 06:41 (2,403 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

As far as I am concerned, Toyota is the only car I would ever buy again. I have had bad luck with every vehicle made in Detroit that I have owned and would not buy another. The two Toyota's I have had in the last 20 years have been the best and most trouble free vehicles I have ever had. Old cars are cool to look at, but not so much to drive on a daily basis.

Post# 955161 , Reply# 86   8/29/2017 at 08:47 (2,403 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
"made in Detroit"

means different things today. Jeep Grand Cherokee's are assembled in Detroit of parts sourced globally.

Toyota's are assembled in Kentucky with globally sourced parts.
A Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe were the same identical car mechanically.

Toyota ans Nissan both have suburban Detroit design and engineering offices in Farmington Hills, and Plymouth respectively.

Toyota has had as many recalls as GM has. Mazda 6's were built in Flat Rock Michigan until 2011. Good car.

In the 70's and 80's, more of the cars were made in Detroit and vicinity. Dearborn, Flint, Lansing, Pontiac, Saginaw, etc. Aside from rusting prematurely, they weren't that bad. Ford's Windsor engine plant ran a slew of bad 400 V8 heads that would leak by about 40,000 miles necessitating a valve job.

Cars are machines. Machines break Not even Lexus or Mercedes builds a perfect car. Eventually, they all have problems.
That said, buy what ever the heck you want. Most people lease and never have to worry about problems, but they always have a payment.


Post# 955354 , Reply# 87   8/30/2017 at 20:46 (2,401 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
prefer older

My active duty cars are 1977,1981,1982,1985,1998,2003,2007-all "old" by today's standard,and the 4 earlier ones "malaise era :) A few things I dislike about recent cars:
-"global"parts
-throttle by wire
-plastic headlights
-plastic engine cladding
-plastic cooling system parts
-"piped in"(or even fake) engine sound-WTF ?! :)
-more prone to hail damage than "old skool" cars


Post# 955368 , Reply# 88   8/30/2017 at 22:39 (2,401 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

cadman's profile picture
Stan, I hear ya. The past two years I've been daily-driving my '59 Catalina, no seat belts, 4-wheel drums, 389, AM radio playing the oldies during my commute. It's a unique experience. I did upgrade to a power booster with dual chambers for safety, but they're still drums and you need to plan accordingly.

This year I've enjoyed my 1988 Olds so much (Touring Sedan, FE3 suspension and buckets) that the Pontiac only comes out on Fridays. To me that seems like a modern car, until I ride in something recent. Huge A and B posts, intrusive headrests, uncomfortable seats and complete isolation. It really takes the fun out of driving, or riding as a passenger for that matter.


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Post# 955373 , Reply# 89   8/30/2017 at 23:48 (2,401 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
You can daily drive a two, or four door sedan that would have been used as a car back in the day. The only old cars I wouldn't daily drive would be muscle cars (sports cars).

Post# 955378 , Reply# 90   8/31/2017 at 01:59 (2,401 days old) by Stan (Napa CA)        
Cory

stan's profile picture
It's beautiful.
My aunt had a 59 Bonneville . Very unique dash on those. I remember the "passing gear" as she called It!
Miles ahead of the 50 Plymouth! Bet it rides like a dream,


Post# 955379 , Reply# 91   8/31/2017 at 02:05 (2,401 days old) by Stan (Napa CA)        
Just remembered

stan's profile picture
As the Bonnevile didn't have AC.. She had this swamp cooler thing that sat over the transmission hump. It plugged into the cigarette lighter, and she filled it with ice. It had a fan switch and blew out cool air.
I've never seen one since, and don't know what they were called. Anyone know?


Post# 955402 , Reply# 92   8/31/2017 at 07:39 (2,401 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Im a Chrysler guy, but still LOVE old Pontiacs and Olds.

2 of my Aunts had 53 Olds and My Aunt Jean and Uncle Henry had a 61 Catalina, a 63 Super 88, a 64 Cutlass, a 68 Delta 88,a 70 Delta 88 custom, and a 72 Cutlass, so I grew up with those cars, We had a 48 Plymouth, a 53 Plymouth a 60 Ford Galaxie, a 66 Cutlass a 71 Delta 88 custom..455...I remember that one well, it would FLY!

Post# 955406 , Reply# 93   8/31/2017 at 07:49 (2,401 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
B. Danielson

panthera's profile picture

I hear you. So hear you - your list:

-"global"parts (Makes me want to throw up when the car makers play their 'we're soooo American' game.

-throttle by wire (It is getting better, to be honest, but then - how could it get worse?)

-plastic headlights (And this is safer when you hit a pedestrian at 40mph exactly how? Like drowing in 30 feet of water instead of 300 is better?)

-plastic engine cladding (Would, again, be OK if it were a good quality plastic, not recycled ABS)

-plastic cooling system parts (Because 250F coolant is no problem to have spraying all over the place, right?)

-"piped in"(or even fake) engine sound-WTF ?! :) (Sigh. I know. It's false advertising like those guys in the '70s who wore those gold neckchains with the numbers '9 1/2 or even 10'. Divide by two and you're still probably being overly generous.....

 -more prone to hail damage than "old skool" cars (I live in Cheyenne. Hail capital of The Known Universe. Tell me about it. Our '74 Sedan deVille just gets the dust shook off by hailstones which leave holes in newer Ford 150s.


Post# 955445 , Reply# 94   8/31/2017 at 11:47 (2,401 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
Newer cars are built for obsolescence, and all newer things are built for obsolescence.

Post# 955450 , Reply# 95   8/31/2017 at 12:21 (2,401 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Re: reply #94

ea56's profile picture
Hello, but most models of automobiles have been built for planned obsolesence since at least as far back as the 1930's, its the American corporate model for doing business.

There are good and bad things about both old and new cars, it boils down to what is personally most important to the buyer.

I happen to love old cars,and would gladly have one as my daily driver. I like the styling, comfort, simplicity, visibility and drivability. Now for safety features, new cars can't be beat.

But somehow, the touch screen controls for climate control and audio on the new cars seem like an unnecessary distraction and they compromise safety when the driver needs to look down at these screens to make a simple adjustment that on an older car can be made easily by feel, without the need for the driver to take their eyes off the road.

Just my two cents worth.
Eddie


Post# 955452 , Reply# 96   8/31/2017 at 12:23 (2,401 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        
Hail damage

lordkenmore's profile picture

Well, it's vitally important to have cars easily marred by hail. What would those car dealers do if they couldn't count on a few hail storms each year that can lead to a thrilling opportunity of a special sale that is carefully crafted to look like the buyer is really getting a great deal?!?


Post# 955458 , Reply# 97   8/31/2017 at 12:49 (2,401 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

iheartmaytag's profile picture

I have to say that I love a '65 Mustang and a 56 T-Bird as much as the next guy, but I side with new cars and their safety equipment.

 

Yes people can site the fact that their Daddy's 59 Cadillac took a head on crash and only got a dent.  Well did ya mention that the extremely ridged body may have not sustained any damage, but it did transmit every bit of the crash energy to the passenger compartment.  A Passenger compartment that didn't contain seatbelts, padded dashboards, or laminated glass.

 

There is just something comforting when you are seeing the front end of a Ford F-150 coming through your windshield and this bag explodes out of the dashboard and protects you as the three point harness is holding you away from harm. 

 

Sure a newer car will sustain much more damage than one of older vintage in a crash.  But remember every piece that breaks, crushes, or flys away is dissipating that crash energy away from it's occupants. 

 

Then there is drivability.  Nothing worse than a cold blooded Chrysler with a carbureted  engine starting on an icy morning.  That problem was mostly solved with electronic fuel injection.   Six speed automatic overdrive transmissions, automatic four wheel drive.  air conditioning, all things I'm thankful for.

 

There are so many reasons to love the newer cars.  With that said, has anyone ever noticed that the Fiat 500 bears a strange resemblance to a Compact C-9 Vacuum cleaner? 

 

This picture is what my Jeep Grand Cherokee looked like after the Drunk in the F-150 hit me head on.   I crawled out with a fractured sternum, but I was able to crawl out.


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Post# 955461 , Reply# 98   8/31/2017 at 13:33 (2,401 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

With safety in mind... I think I might have mentioned talking to a mechanic about an old Honda from about 1980. At that time, I was considering buying it since it was A) available and B) fit my limited budget. But examining the car, and driving it around the block, quickly killed my enthusiasm. One issue was how primitive it felt--although I could live with that. But the car really didn't feel safe--and the reason I was buying was because my old car had been totaled when someone smashed into it. I just thought "old econobox" at the time...but I wonder now if a lot of the feeling wasn't "econobox" and just plain "this is the way cars typically were in 1980."

 

I also recall that car didn't run particularly well cold. Someone with a Honda of that vintage said it was that way with his car, too.


Post# 955463 , Reply# 99   8/31/2017 at 14:02 (2,401 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
Hey Eddie,

twintubdexter's profile picture

I sure hear ya regarding touch screens in cars. I suppose the ones that are integrated into new cars are perfectly fine, but I recently had one installed in my 20 year old Cadillac and in many ways using it is akin to texting while driving. My age is definitely showing when I say it's complicated and involved. There's way too much there. Navigation (so I won't get lost going to the grocery store) and simple radio/CD I understand. I even can figure out Pandora with the cell phone and bluetooth. But beyond that it gets crazy, and the instruction manual on a disc is 92 pages long. The steering wheel controls help a little. I feel like a dummy.  

 

I still say if you do distance driving on a regular basis then a newer car is much better. Older cars are fine for scooting around your area. There are people that live here in the Coachella Valley that commute to the Inland Empire and even Los Angeles. I don't think using a very old car would be wise. The 1957 Thunderbird I sold last year, aside from being a "girly" ladies' shopping car that I hated, was a death trap on wheels, even with the factory seat belts. I would never drive that car on the freeway. My Buick is 52 years old and even though I've had it on the freeway (it's very sea-worthy) I wouldn't drive it around on a daily basis...it doesn't squeeze into parking spaces that well either and even the smallest door ding would make me go ballistic. 

 

Land yachts are a cross between parking and "docking"


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Post# 955464 , Reply# 100   8/31/2017 at 14:29 (2,401 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Joe,

ea56's profile picture
I love your 65' Buick Wildcat! In 1972 I had a very hot older boyfriend that had a 65 Buick Wildcat, it was the same color as yours, but the interior matched the exterior and his didn't have a vinyl top. I recall that we went to the drive in movies to see Alfred Hitchcock's, "Frenzy" in that Buick and had some fun during the intermission in that roomy front seat, LOL.

Buicks are my favorite old cars, they are beautiful and I love the way they drive.

I agree with you about commuting in an older car though. But if I had a old car that I had gone through carefully to be sure that everything was in top shape I wouldn't hesitate to drive it on a long trip. They are the most comfortable cars for long distance auto travel.
Eddie




This post was last edited 08/31/2017 at 15:53
Post# 955490 , Reply# 101   8/31/2017 at 16:40 (2,400 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
My Fusion has voice control of pretty much everything (can do some things, for example with music/radio, via voice control that isn't provided by buttons).  Some functions are also duplicated on buttons on the steering wheel and an auxiliary screen on the dash vs. the center console.


Post# 955495 , Reply# 102   8/31/2017 at 16:54 (2,400 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Another thing

I hate about new vehicles, especially foreign ones, the seats are made for small framed people, not me at 5ft 10 and 240 pounds, my Marquis has big soft seats that fit, I drove my Aunts new Ford Fusion the other day, it drives ok, but the steering is way too stiff to suit me and the seats are too small, The most comfortable car as far as seating goes , that I ever owned was a 65 Olds Ninety Eight Luxury Sedan, it would get up and go too.Donald is nearly 6 foot 3 and his head rubs the roof on many new cars.

Post# 955496 , Reply# 103   8/31/2017 at 16:58 (2,400 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
As far as

Chrysler products being cold natured, I don't agree, GM products were much worse, at least in my experience, my 53 Plymouth and my 62 Plymouth were about the best cranking cars I ever owned, the 65 Olds was the COLDEST natured vehicle I ever owned.But boy would it go when warmed up! 425 RocketV8 with 360 horsepower.

Post# 955503 , Reply# 104   8/31/2017 at 17:54 (2,400 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
Probably posting too much...

twintubdexter's profile picture

1965 Oldsmobiles....oh weren't those such very nice cars?


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Post# 955506 , Reply# 105   8/31/2017 at 18:29 (2,400 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
The only old car I own is now is my 36 year old Corvette. Quite advanced for its year, nice smog pump, 190 HP from a 350 V8 and one of the first to come out of the Louisville KY factory that should have been an '82, but Crossfire Injection didnt work, mine had a 4bbl. It was still an '81, even though it was built in August 1981. My '13 Silverado has 355 hp from a 5.3 V8 (327) and the truck is so much easier and comfortable to drive than the Vette.

Post# 955508 , Reply# 106   8/31/2017 at 18:33 (2,400 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
Old cars are much more comfortable than newer cars, and can acomidate anyone of any height, and have power steering that is effortless, while newer cars have have steering that stiff and is comparable to not having any power steering.

Post# 955513 , Reply# 107   8/31/2017 at 19:45 (2,400 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Sean, ironically we have the same birthday, but I was 18 in 1972. I have owned 36 vehicles since. Yes, many old vehicles do ride like being on the living room couch. But those of us who now dont want to mess with old vehicles because newer ones are (somewhat) easier to deal with. My Vette owners manual is less than 50 pages, my Silverado is 1000 pages plus and tells you nothing but caution, warning, danger. I told the dealer to set everything on Auto and it works fine, going on 5 years now. Vette rides like a buckboard, Silverado rides like floating on air. I will gladly ride in somebody elses old vehicle, but I am too old to mess with that on any old vehicle any more. Tired of climbing under, covering myself in crap. I'll pay the dealer to fix it. So far it has been oil changes and thats it.



This post was last edited 08/31/2017 at 20:36
Post# 955516 , Reply# 108   8/31/2017 at 20:14 (2,400 days old) by rickr (.)        
.

rickr's profile picture
We are driving this 61 Oldsmobile up to Michigan in the morning. I am an antique dealer, now that I am retired, and I have a load of antiques in the trunk. I have a booth in one of the antique malls up in Allen Michigan. The Olds is great to drive at freeway speeds, and even has cruise control.

Post# 955517 , Reply# 109   8/31/2017 at 20:19 (2,400 days old) by rickr (.)        
61 Super 88 dash

rickr's profile picture
Dash showing factory a/c and cruise control. (Dial at left of dash area) BTW, this car has over 200,000 miles on it.

Post# 955518 , Reply# 110   8/31/2017 at 20:24 (2,400 days old) by brucelucenta ()        


What, no cd player?!!!!


Post# 955521 , Reply# 111   8/31/2017 at 21:12 (2,400 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
CD Player??? What is that, Bruce? Classic Disk? No, no phonograph in this one. :)

Post# 955523 , Reply# 112   8/31/2017 at 21:46 (2,400 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

cadman's profile picture
Rick, beautiful Olds! Funny, the gridwork on the brake and accel remind me of the '62 Starfire grille. Clever!

Speaking of road warriors, this is the cross-country appliance hauler. '87 Scottsdale setting out for Wisconsin tomorrow pulling the Shasta reissue. Gold vinyl benches, vinyl floor, crank windows, but cold A/C. And I swapped out the mono-AM radio for a Delco AM/FM (how deluxe!). I also added rear air shocks for handling situations like the one in the pic ; ) It's also equipped with a Pull-Rite hitch which pivots about the rear axle so it tows like a 5th wheel. Never any sway. Purrs like a kitten but loves the ethel.


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Post# 955524 , Reply# 113   8/31/2017 at 22:15 (2,400 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

I agree about touch screens. I find them incredibly annoying. WTF were they thinking? "Yes, let's redesign the controls so the driver has to take is eyes OFF THE ROAD in order to change a station or adjust the a/c.

I agree about newer cars being safer. I'm particularly fond of the ABS/limited slip/ stability control combo and I like the idea of air bags. But these things come at a price and Hans makes a number of good points.

In order to give the ILLUSION of more room, most newer cars have some combination of:

The seats are too low to the interior floor of the car.
Even if the seat rises, you often can't raise it enough before your head hits the headliner.
There's no steering column! While tilting wheels seem to creeping downmarket, telescoping ones do NOT. End result: The steering wheel is too far away and too high AND your knees are up around your ears.

Even at just 6'0", I'm too tall to get comfortable behind the wheel of many cars. I admit I have an attitude problem with this. Practically everything about my body is 80th-85th percentile. If something is too small, too low, too short, etc. for me, THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. FULL STOP.

One is less likely to run into these problems in older cars.

Personally, I like hitting the break and feeling what the tires are doing. Not that every old car gave this info, but the older a car is, the more likely you are to get it. Same applies to steering.

NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) induce driver fatigue. It's gotten better in recent years, but for a long time many manufacturers seemed to think ANY sensory input equalled information about the road. End result? Your ears are assaulted while your're being jostled and shaken about (and not in a good way) and you STILL have no idea if you're hydroplaning or not or if your wheels are about to lock up because the steering wheel and the brake pedal don't tell you anything; they're just vibrating like mad!

There must be at least a few cars that offer a reasonable compromise. My Nissan Cube is pretty good, all things considered. Ford Crown Vic? Chrysler 300?


Post# 955525 , Reply# 114   8/31/2017 at 22:30 (2,400 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Nice Suburban Cory. Todays Suburbans look somewhat similar in length but much more rounded. Still use more gas towing things. Neighbors tow a travel trailer to AZ every year with their 2500 Silverado and get mid teens for mileage. Pay for convenience, I guess. My Silverado can tow any boat out of this lake and not break a sweat. Newer vehicles do seem to use less gas as this '13 uses much less than my '95 did.

Post# 955527 , Reply# 115   8/31/2017 at 22:57 (2,400 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

I'm 6'0 and my '13 Altima with a sunroof gives me plenty of headroom. It also doesn't have anything touchscreen, no nav, no blind spot monitoring or forward collision warning. What it does have for safety is ABS, TCS, stability control, lots of airbags and a rear view camera which is a requirement in these modern cars with zero rear visibility. For luxury/convenience it has leather, power drivers seat, heated/steering wheel, DEATC (don't get me started on how much auto climate control drives me mad), and a Bose sound system.

I wouldn't want a car with anymore features than that as I feel it just gets in the way of the driving experience, blind spot monitoring and all that crap just beeps at me long after I'm aware of what's in my blind spot etc. All they're doing with that is priming car buyers for autonomous vehicles, something of which I am and am NOT looking forward to. The only autonomous feature I like and want is adaptive cruise control for those hellacious drives on overcrowded interstates where anyone holding a constant speed is but a mere pipe dream.

The only thing I wish I had done differently with that car is that I'd gotten a V6 instead of the 4 cyl. The 4 cyl power is ok but I truly abhor the sound of 4 cyl engines and the vibration drives me insane.


Post# 955537 , Reply# 116   9/1/2017 at 01:58 (2,400 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Re Beautiful 61 Olds

That olds is perfect, one thing you didn't mention, if you get in a tight spot and need to get out of someones way that old 394 will make it JUMP!Only one problem with the 61 thru 64 was the Slim Jim trans.,but its OK if you don't drag race it..if you do watch out....as a teenager I had a 61 and a 63 , the 61 was a Super 88 and the 63 was a loaded Starfire...I kept the 63 in the transmission shop..LOL. But man would it GO!

Post# 955579 , Reply# 117   9/1/2017 at 09:57 (2,400 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

ABS, TCS, stability control, & lots of airbags -- Great!

Blind spot monitoring? Not so much. Still in beta testing, IMO. My recent Nissan Rogue rental that. Thrice weekly I had a 1/4 mile to cross 6 lanes of highway traffic from far left to far right on my way home. The system would beep and flash at me right when I had to concentrate the most....

Speaking of the Nissan Rogue, I have a 6'7" friend who fits into my Cube with no problem. He was barely able to get into the Rogue, let alone get comfortable. comparing the two he was amazed the Rogue was so much bigger on the outside yet so much smaller inside.

Automatic Climate Control? No, really, I can handle turning a temp knob myself...

Back in the '80's I had a friend who'd inherited a '61 Mary Kay pink Olds Dynamic 88 convertible. I was the only one in our crowd she'd let drive it. Why? She approved of how I handled my own '74 Olds Custom Cruiser. I always volunteered to be a designated driver as long as I got to drive her car home from the bar, lol.



Post# 955583 , Reply# 118   9/1/2017 at 10:31 (2,400 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
Love old cars to the extreme...

firedome's profile picture
that we've had over 150 of them as a curbside amateur under-the-radar dealer/flipper. 1930s to mid 1970s US and also many British sports cars. . Growing with them, we also daily drove full size US '60s and '70s cars almost exclusively as our family drivers and boat and horse trailer pullers: Chrysler and GM wagons and 4 doors, up until the late '90s full sized Olds, Buicks and Mopars were our favorites.

We sold our non-power steering '58 Olds last month, so the only old car now will be the '68 Chevy Caprice 4 door hardtop Sport Sedan we're in the process of buying as we speak.

But we no longer want old cars as daily drivers, as wonderful as they are - since the late 90s it's been Japanese SUVs: Montero (1) Trooper (2) Xterra (2)... we really like the Xterra due to full truck frame, it's extreme capability in snow and off road, much needed in NY and VT, it's carrying capacity, modern safety features, the superb Nissan VQ V6 (0n Ward's 10 Best Engines for over 10 years, longer than any other) , but foremost it's simple easy to use non-touch screen analog old fashioned knob controls. And it will still get well over 20 mpg on our many trips to the north.


Post# 955594 , Reply# 119   9/1/2017 at 11:37 (2,400 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture

No more "tune-ups", thousands of miles between oil changes and for us in the rust belt , years and years of no rust worrying. Those are three significant features of new vehicles.  Still when my two wheeling days are over, hopefully not soon, I'd love to get myself another big land yacht for summer driving fun. 

 

I'm very happy with the Forester and doubt I'd ever go back to a car as my daily driver. I'm just shy of 6' and with the seat at full height I still don't touch the ceiling. It's easy to step in and out of with my bad back and visibility from the drivers seat is way better than the competition.  I love the adaptive cruise control,, that's going to be a must-have from now on.  I only wish it had rain sensing wipers like my old Mazda 3.. those were great.  It's odd how Subaru doesn't offer that option in N.America yet but when I checked their UK website, they have it there. 

 


Post# 955627 , Reply# 120   9/1/2017 at 16:15 (2,399 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

"Old cars are much more comfortable than newer cars, and can acomidate anyone of any height, and have power steering that is effortless, while newer cars have have steering that stiff and is comparable to not having any power steering."

LOL!

Sean, nice world you live in.

Each generation comes along and says the *same* thing, but they refer to different decades of cars, just like almost everyone agrees that Saturday Night Live was funny some time ago and it's not funny anymore, but no one agrees on which season(s) are/were funny and which season it stopped being funny.

This nostalgia colors things. It gives listeners the impression that *everything* was *much better* back then, when very few things could be further than the truth. Some features were really nice. Some cars survived, but not most -- it's like people who say all songs from 1930's were better or that all classic music was better, but they were not alive to even have experienced that, their experience of classical music or songs from the 30's is the little that was good enough to survive, not the 90% of crap they used to have just like it's now for us.

Here's a little tidbit for you: Tom Selleck may be a bit taller than most people, but he's not the tallest person around either.

Magnum PI was supposed to have a *Porche* as the car -- Selleck couldn't fit in the car for love or money, so they switched it to a Ferrari. So much for accommodating people of any height. "Oh, frack, those are cars from Europe!" you say? I have friends who were barely a couple of inches higher than 6 feet, and they had to *squeeze* to fit in certain model years of Mustang, Corvette etc.

You know what? My relatives who were born in late 1800's/early 1900's used to say that younger people were useless, because they liked "new cars" and couldn't possibly drive "a good car from way back": they couldn't start a car by cranking up (with the implication that people were either too weak or would break a bone or two from the kick back), they didn't know how to set the distributor correctly depending on the car speed, they did not know how to use a manual choke, and they would just die in the rain because they couldn't crank the wipers manually, and also that they'd destroy a "good old car" first thing because they did not know how to double clutch, "imagine that, some new cars have even the 1st and 2nd gears with synchromesh!". You wouldn't want to get them started on when automatic transmissions, power steering and power brakes showed up.

I say it's all bullshit. No one is more of a man than someone else because their cars are more automatic. Any one of us could easily get used to a Ford Model T, and in fact, I had relatives from way back then who were women and cranked the engines to start themselves, drove cars with manual transmissions etc.

Just for Sean's information (and others who may not be up to date), there are more manual transmission cars all over the world than automatic transmission -- in most of the world, young girls learn to drive and get their drivers licenses using a manual transmission car.

I do not think we are in any danger of getting the cars more and more automated so people will get used to the idea of self-driving cars. Self-driving cars will show up one way or another, despite protests of people who think their dicks might fall off if they enter one -- they'll share the roads with other cars for a while until they get better several generations later, the thing that might make ordinary cars disappear is not a lack of people who want to drive, but the fact that at some point self-driving cars will be good enough to get into way less accidents than people, then the insurance for a self-driving car will be really cheap and super expensive for a "conventional" car.

As for "everything was better back then, you people are too lazy and probably not good enough drivers", LOL, we'll talk again when I see you driving a car during heavy rain without any "automatic" features, like my relatives used to do in early 1900's -- it's easy for me to complain that the rain sensor in such and such a car is better than the other one, of that the intermittent wipers on this car is better than the other one because it's speed sensitive, or this automatic transmission or that power steering.

Let's remove all of that and see who likes old cars.

The truth is that newer cars are safer, but it's not so much that safety is new -- most of the things we have now (limited slip differentials, AWD, 4WD, power steering, power brakes, ABS) etc showed up over 50 years ago, it's just that they used to be very expensive back then, and some of them did not work as well as the current versions. But a car from 1940's or 1950's shares *way* more with current cars than a car from 1920's.

The thing that makes me laugh at some here is that they are repeating stuff without any experience, they heard someone say it and they just parrot it. I have way more respect for people like Hans, who has *actual* experience with the cars than the parroting folks.

As for me, no, I did not *drive* some of the cars I'm talking about, but my uncles and relatives *did* and I was a passenger on their cars. One particular uncle had as a hobby buying any old cheap car he could find, spruce it up a bit during the 3-6 months it took him to get bored with it and then sell it to the next person and get another one. I lost count of the number of cars from 1930's to 1950's he had (this was during the 60's to the mid-70's) while he claimed no new cars were any good. Eventually, the energy crisis happened, he sold all the old cars and got a "modern" car. My older relatives were more stubborn, they kept their Ford Model T and Chevys from the same era until they got too old to drive. While I can now laugh it off and tell people it was "interesting" riding in the cars with them during heavy rain, water pouring into the car from all kinds of different places and the driver sometimes had to ask a passenger to crank the windshield wiper for them to be able to switch gears, at the time, when I was a kid, I was scared for my life, particularly at the lack of effective brakes -- some of those cars did not even have hydraulic brakes (not talking about power brakes, just what we call today "ordinary" brakes) and the brakes were actuated by a rod and you had to have good muscles in your legs to step hard enough on the brakes to make them work; and yes, some of my aunts drove those cars, there are men who go to the gym nowadays who have weaker legs than my aunts, deal with it.

There is one thing I can say about cars like Model T and similar aged/build cars: they seemed to be better at climbing up/down rocks in places that had no good roads, like farms. Most cars couldn't even go to places like that, you'd need a truck with high clearance or something built specifically for off roading. Then again, they couldn't go to the same farms when it rained, the tires were so not very wide and they'd get stuck in the mud. Oh, well.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.


Post# 955631 , Reply# 121   9/1/2017 at 17:06 (2,399 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
My maternal Grandma was probably one of the first women to drive an automobile in the state of Kansas. Her father owned a hotel in Sharon, Kansas and he bought one of the first cars in that little town in 1910, a 1910 Hupmobile. He taught grandma how to drive it when she was about 12. She got a bad spiral fracture of her arm once from cranking it when it backfired.

Then later on when she and grandpa got married in 1919 they had Model T Fords until about 1930. Model T's didn't have a clutch, they had a planetary transmission that was the forerunner of the modern automatic. There were 3 pedals, one for reverse in the middle, one for forward on the left that you held all the way out for high and to the floor for low, halfway down for neutral and the right pedal was a brake of sorts. It took a great deal of skill to get the hang of the Model T.

My grandma would load all four of her girls into the Model T and drive by herself 50 miles on rutted dirt roads to visit her parents, and never thought twice about it. Then in 1930 grandpa got a Chrysler with I believe a 4 speed transmission, ( but 1st was so low that it was seldom used in day to day driving, and was rather driven like a 3 speed). Anyway, it had been several years by then since grandma had driven the Hupmoblie, so grandpa tried giving her a crash course in driving with a clutch. The tensions reared and poor grandma became so unnerved by grandpa's lack of patience that she gave up driving and never drove again. What a shame, since she had been so independent, and one of the first women to drive in her state.

I've included a link below about how to drive a Model T. It took some skill.

Now we have cars that are driveless and in the not to distant future they will probably be commonplace. It will be wonderful for the elderly and disabled that can't drive, but seems a shame that people are fast becoming so dependent on technology to drive. I'm glad that I learned to drive in the old days, when we even had to use hand an arm signals for our drivers license test and parallel park.
Eddie

www.barefootsworld.net/ford-t-4-b...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO ea56's LINK


Post# 955633 , Reply# 122   9/1/2017 at 17:12 (2,399 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
Newer cars are safer, but in reality all cars new and old are dangerous!

Post# 955659 , Reply# 123   9/1/2017 at 21:41 (2,399 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Anything

Is deadly when an idiot or drunk is at the wheel!You can get killed in a Volvo or Mercedes just as easily as a Corvair if you hit a semi truck head on at 85 or 90 miles an hour.Remember Princess Dianas death....Even a TOL Mercedes couldn't protect her.The best rules of thumb are, don't ever drive too fast for conditions, and don't tailgate!People blow me off the road when its raining, but several times I have seen them in a ditch on down the road....I have been driving 36 years and have never had a speeding ticked....I deserved plenty as a teenager..LOL

Post# 955663 , Reply# 124   9/1/2017 at 21:48 (2,399 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Cars are like appliances

We all like different things, for instance, John Lefever hates Frigidaire Radiantube units, I love them,I hate Maytag washers, but Bob ORear loves them, and on and on, we all have our preferences, I don't want a self cleaning oven or a self defrosting refrigerator, but most guys here think that's crazy...I am wrong many times and try to be man enough to admit it, John warned me about Kenmore electric ranges not baking great, I had to prove him wrong, well, I didn't, he was 100 percent correct, I should have listened..LOL..The point is, why argue and get mad over an opinion, I love Chrysler full time power steering and power drum brakes, others cant stand them, that really doesent bother me, drive what you want, cook on what you like etc lol

Post# 955671 , Reply# 125   9/1/2017 at 22:29 (2,399 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

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Actually, in Princess Diana's Mercedes it did the best it was designed to to, and the only restrained passenger survived.

Post# 955808 , Reply# 126   9/2/2017 at 23:34 (2,398 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Old Hondas...

sudsmaster's profile picture
I remember when the Honda Accord first came out. I scouted around and asked for opinions. One that stuck in my mind was that while the car itself ran and handled well, at least when new, the various components (like interior stuff) was cheap and tended to fall apart.

Later I learned that in Japan, the government tries to force the citizenry to constantly buy new cars by mandating planned obsolescence via stringent inspection requirements after a few years. Such as, all the rubber in the car has to be replaced, whether or not it needs it. My suspicion is that the Japanese car companies of that day knew that either all the rubber would be replaced after a relatively short period, so why install rubber components that would last a lot longer? Turns out the cost of replacing all that stuff (not only rubber) and getting inspected is so expensive that most Japanese would simply trade in their few years old cars and buy new ones.

These days however there are Japanese cars and trucks that seem to last forever, at least in the USA. Perhaps Japan, Inc. realized that a Japan-spec vehicle would not last very long in the USA.

Me? I bought a '64 Valiant in '76. Still have it. I can't say it's been trouble free, and it's been parked for the last 17 years, but with a little work it could be on the road again. Part of my retirement list of things to do.


Post# 955855 , Reply# 127   9/3/2017 at 06:56 (2,398 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

I'm 6ft tall but only 145 pounds.  I have a hard time finding cars that fit my BLB...bony little butt.  Tony had a '94 Lincoln Town Car when we met.  It fit fine.  He later got a 2000 Town Car that didn't fit me at all.  Then we had a 2003 that fit fine.  My grandmother had a '92 Mercury Grand Marquis that she bought new.  She had a stroke in 2007 and she sold it to me for a work car.  It rode and drove fine but again, the seat hurt my BLB and my back.  My 2001 VW Beetle commuter car's seat fits me better than just about any car I've had myself....and I've had my share since I was 16...from my little 1987 Chevy Nova (Toyota Corolla) that only had two options on it...AC and rear defroster...all the way up to our MB S500, Caddy's DTS and Escalade, and our new Lincoln MKS (the MKS fits me beautifully but if I put the seat at a good height for my long legs, my head will hit the ceiling due to the sunroof.

 

But I personally prefer small cars since I drive in lots of traffic and park in cramped parking decks at work.  Much easier to handle.  I think it's funny how much power today's cars have in much smaller engines.  My MKS V6 has only ONE horsepower less than my MB S500 had in it's 5.0L V8.

 


Post# 955876 , Reply# 128   9/3/2017 at 09:36 (2,398 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Safety and old vs. new:

Dad told us safety was in mainly between our ears. Keep your eyes on the road, and scanning the mirrors before you change lanes. Also that some accidents happen because drives execute a lane change or turn then change their minds before it is completed.

Technology; Old cars were heavier, with more around you to protect you, but they had no crumple zones to absorb impact. You had farther to travel to the wheel, dash, or glass, but the impact was harder when you hit them. Seat belts are still the best device. Air bags do what a larger interior used to do with seat belts.

My grandmother had a 1963 Fairlane. Once she stopped quickly and I flew clear from the back seat and hit my forehead on the metal dash. I think locking seat backs came out around 1969. Inertia controlled by '73, along with inertia seat belts and retracting shoulder harnesses.


Post# 955881 , Reply# 129   9/3/2017 at 10:30 (2,398 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

"I think it's funny how much power today's cars have in much smaller engines."

Greg: this is rather easier to explain/understand -- for years (decades really), the thing people associated with engine power was how large the cylinder is and how many cylinders the engine has. But that only reflects the state of the art at that point back in time, when we didn't have certain metal alloys, treatments, the right lubricants etc, so engines had to be big to develop a certain amount of power, and the engine speed (rpm) was lower to avoid wear and tear.

What you are seeing nowadays are "small" engines that run at much higher speeds than engines of old and thus develop the same power -- also, transmissions are now much different from yesterday's transmissions, in that they accept a much higher rpm input and transfer the appropriate speed to the wheels, new lubricants make it possible.

If you ever want to see engines that are impressively powerful and small at the same time, take a look a turbo-fan (jet) engines and Wankel engines. Of course they are not practical for cars currently, for a variety of reasons -- the Wankel engine is very expensive to produce if you want a durable engine (or conversely, at moderate prices it doesn't last long) and the jet engines can produce an annoying high-frequency noise that even when we solve the other immediate problems (super-hot exhaust, pollution control etc) the public tends to object to their use in cars. Don't laugh yet, about 25 years ago there were even prototypes of cars that used a small jet engine to generate electricity to then run an electric motor and charge batteries.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.


Post# 955883 , Reply# 130   9/3/2017 at 10:40 (2,398 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
'74 seat belt interlock

my '74 chevy nova and and I think all all other '74 models had a system where you had to sit in the seat and buckle the seat belts in the correct sequence or you could not crank the car :)A little safety nudge from the "malaise" era :)There was a little "computer" containing a couple IC chips under the driver seat for the system.System was dropped for 1975 models,and setup was disabled on my nova when I bought it in 1986...

Post# 955892 , Reply# 131   9/3/2017 at 11:56 (2,398 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
'74 seat belt interlock;

was only a switch in the seat wired to the ignition switch, no i.c or computer.
My '74 caprice had it, and I simply unplugged the wire under the seat.
Speaking of govt. safety mandates, have you noticed most new cars have no bumper space between the fascia and trunk, hatch, or grille protection at all hardly?


Post# 955907 , Reply# 132   9/3/2017 at 13:05 (2,398 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

I drove a lot of Ramblers over the years. Mostly 1964-1969 Rambler Americans, and a couple of Rambler Classics. These cars always served me very well. The last one I bought, a 1965 Rambler American, cost me $1,000 and I drove it to work for 14 years. But now, I'm getting lazy in my middle age and no longer want to spend time in the driveway doing maintenance. Also, certain parts like new windshields are no longer available for these cars.

In July 2013 my partner and I bought a brand new Kia Soul for $16,500 and we're very happy with it. The dealer changes the oil and rotates the tires for only $40. This is the first car I paid more than $1000 for, and I love it, but I do miss my Rambler.


Post# 955938 , Reply# 133   9/3/2017 at 14:49 (2,398 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Re power of new cars

Yes, they do produce more power for the size engine, but there still is no feeling on earth like putting your foot into a big old four barrel and hearing a big v8 moan!

Post# 955945 , Reply# 134   9/3/2017 at 15:47 (2,397 days old) by DaveTranter (Central England)        
'Old Vs 'New'

All my cars have been 15-30 years old at the time of purchase. My current daily driver is a Vauxhall (Opel) Corsa B, 1.5 naturally-aspirated diesel model. I am hanging on to it because it is about as 'modern' as cars get (1995 vintage) before they have a plethora of unnecessary (and very expensive to repair/replace) electronica added for no apparent gain. No, I don't want 'central locking', No, I don't want electric windows, electricaly adjustable/heated/massaging seats, or any of a dozen other gizmos fitted as 'standard' on newer cars, just waiting to go faulty the moment the warranty expires, something I refer to as the 'Bladerunner' effect ;-) .. This vehicle does have a computer/ECU, but on this variant it's only function is as the timer for the preheater (glow) plugs. I have no objection in principle to ABS as a safety feature, though I have never driven a car so equipped, and can't shake the mental image of trying to perform an 'emergency stop' and the dashboard display popping up an "Are you Sure?" message while the computer holds the brakes off!!
In this country, it is illegal to watch television while driving, and any such screen must be placed out of the driver's sight.... So why do a lot of 'new' cars now have dashboard displays (Touchscreen or otherwise), which can only serve as a distraction from the road??
Safety on the road starts and finishes with competent, alert drivers (yes, I'm a Motorcyclist, too!!). Anything which distracts a driver/rider, or which gives them a (false!) sense of security has to be a 'bad thing' IMHO. I live on a small, overpopulated island, and I am frequently physically and mentally drained at the end of even some quite short journeys. As I say to friends who have commented on this over the years 'If you're not worn out at the end of a journey, you're clearly not paying enough attention to the road!'

Ok... Rant over ;-)

Dave T

P.S. Bosch electric power steering. I have no idea how this system ever passed the relevent safety tests (though I assume only new units were ever tested). A friend's Son recently passed his driving test, and bought a used Fiat Punto, seemingly a good 'first car'. He was very lucky that when the power steering suddenly and without any warning failed as he was negotiating a junction, it was on a Sunday morning and the road was empty, so no collision(s??) occurred. My investigation revealed that in order to shave 'a whole eighth of an inch' off the length of the servomotor, the soldered connections to the motor brushes are filed flat to the circuit board in order to fit under the motor end cap, inevitably resulting in fatigue fractures to the solder after a few years of temperature cycling. These are death traps just waiting to happen!!! BTW, Transit vans have a suspiciously similar looking servo motor. I have good upper body strength, and long driving experience, and I struggled to get that Punto home without the power steering working... I REALLY wouldn't want to be in charge of a fully loaded Transit on a busy road when the same kind of fault occurred!! :-O :-O


Post# 955946 , Reply# 135   9/3/2017 at 15:49 (2,397 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        
The V8 sound eveyrone loves.

petek's profile picture

Apparently the  BMW's and others are so quiet that they have a synthesized engine growl that is piped thru the audio system . Listen to the two videos, one with and one turned off.  



CLICK HERE TO GO TO petek's LINK

Post# 955965 , Reply# 136   9/3/2017 at 19:13 (2,397 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

If I bought a car that plays fake engine noise on the speakers I would disable it right away. I would rather hear something less pleasant sounding that's real than something that sounds good but is fake.

Post# 955973 , Reply# 137   9/3/2017 at 19:58 (2,397 days old) by Imperial70 (MA USA)        

Speaking of govt. safety mandates, have you noticed most new cars have no bumper space between the fascia and trunk, hatch, or grille protection at all hardly?


I think the reason for less protection of the automobile is that the insurance companies dictate what needs to be protected. Hospital costs are more expensive these days so it makes more sense to protect the occupants than the auto. Years ago they were more focused on expense to repair a damaged vehicle.


Post# 955985 , Reply# 138   9/3/2017 at 20:59 (2,397 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
The reason for no space between the bumper and the body

combo52's profile picture

Has nothing to do with safety, and only a little to do with goverment regulation, It is done for aerodynamics to get better fuel mileage, it is also done for styling because most buyers like the gap free look.


Post# 956001 , Reply# 139   9/3/2017 at 23:59 (2,397 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
I dislike curvy cars! Boxy cars will always have more room, and it is easier to style a boxy car, rather than a curvy car. I really hope the 2050's 2060's and 2070's is more like the 1950's 1950's and 1970's all over again, and I hope cars are like they one were.

Post# 956006 , Reply# 140   9/4/2017 at 01:46 (2,397 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

"Boxy" cars won't meet current fuel milage standards.Gas turbine engines for cars-this was tried and also locomotives-Gas turbines-jet engines need to be operated at near their max or max power to be efficient.In aircraft,Newer ships,power generation,natural gas compressors-pumping-these applications meet the engines needs.A car or locomotive the speed range is too wide for max efficiency in a gas turbine engine.And these are EXPENSIVE-too much for a car-the engine can cost more than the car!

Post# 956008 , Reply# 141   9/4/2017 at 02:43 (2,397 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
On the subject of turbo fan jet engines, the main reason why they are not practical for cars is that they are rather low torque at lower rpms. Think the old slushomatics of early Chryslers. Sure, if you rev one up until it howls, then you have to deal with the howling. And the transmission/reduction gear would take a beating.

Modern engine/trans combinations are more fuel efficient while still offering decent performance by having far more gear ratios than older three speeds. Nine and ten speed trans are becoming common. This allows the car engine to stay in its sweet spot, keeping revs and fuel consumption down while still offering acceleration when needed. So now modern automatics can be more fuel efficient than manual trans, although a stick shift is always more fun to drive IMHO.

As far as limited space between bumper and grille/trunk lid, etc. I believe Chrysler more or less led the pack with that approach in the late 1990's. They had adopted advanced computer design technology, along with AMC's platform approach, and were able to bring new somewhat trend setting models to market a year or two before the competition.

Aerodynamics and styling are one reason. But another reason is that government regulations do indeed affect bumper design. I think it was back in the 70's or 80's that the feds started requiring car mfg's to design the cars so that they could withstand low speed collisions (like maybe less than 5 mph) without suffering a major repair expense. The way modern cars seem to handle this is to use a Styrofoam form for the jbumper, with a very thin vacuformed shell over that. On top of that, they make the shell relatively inexpensive to replace. But it does impose some design constraints and has been a big gripe for fans of European cars who find they can't buy them here in the USA because the foreign car company doesn't want to go to the bother and expense of ruining their sporty design to meet American regulations. It's probably less of an issue today, what with the foam filled bumpers, but I believe it is still a gripe for some car nuts.


Post# 956096 , Reply# 142   9/4/2017 at 13:02 (2,397 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
If this thread were a book...

twintubdexter's profile picture

...it would look like an old Webster's Unabridged Dictionary...thick! People love to chat about cars which is a good thing. I certainly don't need to be concerned about vehicle styles in the year 2050 and beyond. 2020 is starting to look doubtful. When it comes to design, give me angles. The cars I grew up with from the late 50's and thru the 60's, a time that even as a little kid, if a 59 Pontiac breezed by you knew exactly what it was. Most of today's cars look very similar to me...4 doors (how awful) and have the same shape, like a cube from your Whirlpool Ice Magic. 

 

A few years ago I was eyeing this beautiful "angled" 1965 TOL Mercury Park Lane convertible that was for sale. I still had that blasted 57 Bird and the "suddenly too small for comfort Corvette" so I had no garage space. It was before I bought the Wildcat. I still regret it.


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Post# 956106 , Reply# 143   9/4/2017 at 13:52 (2,397 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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Yes, back in the day if you were driving along or just looking a block or two ahead and glimpsed a car passing by it was almost automatic you'd know what it was. Nowadays I have to be pretty much up close and personal to read the name on it with a few exceptions


Post# 956109 , Reply# 144   9/4/2017 at 14:01 (2,397 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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Back in the "olden days" where styles changed yearly, you could simply look at the tail light. It always said SAE and the year.

Post# 956116 , Reply# 145   9/4/2017 at 15:07 (2,397 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
The fact remains...

Unless you can afford a big Benz or a Bentley...new cars are bORING, Just sit behind the wheel of a 60 Chrysler or a 59 Olds and look at the dash! Chrome, lights and pushbuttons, I dislike todays cars for the same reason I dislike new appliances...A refrigerator SHOULD have chrome trim and a porcelain lined interior..NOT PLASTIC! same for a stove!

Post# 956117 , Reply# 146   9/4/2017 at 15:07 (2,397 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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back in the day if you were driving along or just looking a block or two ahead and glimpsed a car passing by it was almost automatic you'd know what it was.

 

That seems like almost a century ago... Sigh...

 

Certainly by the 80s, it seemed like there was often little difference between divisions of Detroit car makers. Is it a Chevrolet or a Cadillac? Better check the emblem on the front just to be sure. LOL

 

It's gotten to a point where it's hard for me to tell different manufacturers apart--at least in the 80s I could tell a Ford from a Chrysler with one glance. Although my present difficulty might be in part to the fact that I'm not paying a whole lot of attention to new cars.

 


Post# 956121 , Reply# 147   9/4/2017 at 15:13 (2,397 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Tail light lens model year desigantion;

Yes, it denoted the model year unless the identical lens was used for consecutive model years.
Examples: '71, and '72 Ford Custom 500, Galaxie, LTD. '73, and '74 Fords also, and '75, 76 77's, 78's.


Post# 956126 , Reply# 148   9/4/2017 at 15:27 (2,397 days old) by Xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )        

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So, just curious here, what kind of car(s) do you own Maytag85?
I don't believe you have told us what you're driving.


Post# 956184 , Reply# 149   9/4/2017 at 22:25 (2,396 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
How about this one?

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1976 Cadillac right here in Mobile with 38,000 miles.  Beautiful color combination!  More photos in the ad.

 

lawrence



CLICK HERE TO GO TO pulltostart's LINK on Mobile Craigslist

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Post# 956187 , Reply# 150   9/4/2017 at 22:28 (2,396 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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I drive my mom's mini van, but I have a 1986 Chevy Camaro Z28, and I am putting a Chevy 350 small block V8 in it, can't drive it until I move to Idaho because it would cost more money to put all of the smog equipment on it, and the registration is VERY expensive in California. I just like how simple old cars are, and you can fix them yourself. When it comes to newer cars, it is impossible to do the work yourself on a newer cars, but you can do all of the work on a old car.

Post# 956236 , Reply# 151   9/5/2017 at 10:39 (2,396 days old) by gizmo (Victoria, Australia)        

I love cars old and new.
I drive a new VW Golf wagon, its now about 2 months old and I love it. It has some safety and convenience features really impress me, such as self-parking for reverse and bay parking; blind spot monitoring; autonomous emergency braking; release of rear seats from triggers in the rear luggage area. It is also exceptionally comfortable, suits my creaky jointed body. It isn't perfect - the auto stop-start is a bit clumsy in operation at times; despite being a larger car, the windows and luggage area are both smaller than my previous car, a 2007 Peugeot 307 wagon.
Also, official claimed fuel consumption is 5.4 litres per 100 km, I am getting more like 6.5. I usually get close to the official figures in previous cars. In the Peugeot I averaged 5.2 so this is a big increase in fuel cost. (Peugeot was a 1.6 litre turbodiesel with 5 speed manual trans, the Volksy is a 1.4 litre turbo petrol with 7 speed DSG and start/stop.)
I love the modern safety features and low fuel consumption, but I miss the character of my favourite cars I've owned in the past. My top handful would have to be Renault 20 2 litre hatch from 1980; the Citroen GS 1220 from 1974; The Leyland Australia P76 from 1974; and the Mitsubishi Magna wagon from 1994. (Magna was called Diamante outside of Australia.) I also owned a series of Austin and Morris front wheel drive cars from the late 1960s, my first was an Austin 1800 which had amazing comfort and road holding for its day, but it was tired when I got it and a blue cloud followed wherever I drove it.

My favourite? Possibly the Citroen GS, or possibly the P76. I was also genuinely sad to say goodbye to the Peugeot when I traded it in a few weeks ago. I owned it for 10 years, the longest I have ever owned a car. I did 220,000 km in it.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO gizmo's LINK


Post# 956476 , Reply# 152   9/7/2017 at 00:23 (2,394 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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I will only like old cars, and old cars only. I don't like today's ugly, boarding, cheaply made cars. The cars that are made currently will not be on the road in 10 or 20 years from now, they will most likely be in the junk yard. New cars are made for obsolescence, while the old cars can be fixed easily and last forever!

Post# 956481 , Reply# 153   9/7/2017 at 01:48 (2,394 days old) by mieleforever (SOUTH AFRICA)        
@ gizmo

I hope that you enjoy many years of driving pleasure in your new VW. I had a 2011 Passat 1,8 petrol, also fitted with the DSG. I really loved the car but the DSG not so much. We had endless troubles with the DSG and VW kept on saying we were driving the thing in a wrong manner. The GEarbox had to be opened up two times in the plus minus 50 000 km that we had it. When at about 75 000 km it started to act up again we just decided to get rid of it. Maybe we had a dud, but there was apparently a lot of problems with said DSG gearboxes. So just keep an eye out, our problems started at 25 000km.

Hopefully you will be spared.

Regards and safe motoring!



Post# 956513 , Reply# 154   9/7/2017 at 10:36 (2,394 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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There is a lady in Orlando Florida who has a 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente 4 Door Sedan with over 600,000 original miles, and it has been her only car since 1964. If you take really good care of your cars, it will last you a life time, if you don't care about your cars, they won't last that long at all.

Post# 956538 , Reply# 155   9/7/2017 at 13:28 (2,394 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
'86 z28

those are cool cars-I have an '82 z28,bought it in 1990 with ~81000 miles,now has ~265,000 miles :)

Post# 956546 , Reply# 156   9/7/2017 at 15:49 (2,393 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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Something else that I appreciate about a new car that I even consider a God-Send:

Low Tire Pressure warning--in which case, I needed to fill ALL FOUR! (& got it done at General Tire)


-- Dave


Post# 956559 , Reply# 157   9/7/2017 at 18:18 (2,393 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
TPM

my '07 GMC canyon has that-it is handy,was suprized my base model truck had it-mine only tells there is a low tire,more modern TPMs probably tell which tire is low :)

Post# 956562 , Reply# 158   9/7/2017 at 18:59 (2,393 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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My '13 Silverado gives you the warning, which tire and how low it is. I had a nail in one that lost a couple pounds a week. Once it got to a certain level, it warns you. When I bought it, I told them to just set everything on auto and what needs to warn me does. Back up sensors work great but you need to still watch all your mirrors, especially your rear view one inside.

Post# 956592 , Reply# 159   9/8/2017 at 01:44 (2,393 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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A video that gives a 40 year overview/review of a 1970s Cadillac. I have some nitpicks, but it's interesting. Although I feel a little old--some of the features on this car which are new to the reviewer are things I remember, like a floor mounted high beam switch...

 







This post was last edited 09/08/2017 at 02:25
Post# 956593 , Reply# 160   9/8/2017 at 02:02 (2,393 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Seriously??  None of that stuff he's ranting & raving about is odd to me.


Post# 956594 , Reply# 161   9/8/2017 at 02:23 (2,393 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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I've watched some of his videos before.  He could pass for Jay Leno's son!


Post# 956604 , Reply# 162   9/8/2017 at 08:37 (2,393 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
"77 Eldorado"

the convertible was the most expensive. The msrp of a 1975 was over $10,000.00.
8,950 were built that year.

A downsized 1979 custom built Eldorado convertible was featured on the tv game show Sale of the Century.


Post# 956606 , Reply# 163   9/8/2017 at 08:48 (2,393 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

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Convertibles were and became even more expensive because 1976 was the last production year of a factory convertible.  After the 1976 model year, a convertible was obtained by sending a newly produced hard top to another factory where the top was removed, the frame reinforced and a rag top installed.  This process added heavily to the sticker for those wanting a convertible. 

 

 

 

 


Post# 956655 , Reply# 164   9/8/2017 at 16:47 (2,392 days old) by cuffs054 (MONTICELLO, GA)        

LordK, your comment made me laugh! Floor mounted dimmer who doesn't remember them. Rear door handles? Even the Toronado had them. Loved the "light sentenials" on the fenders and the brake light monitor he totally missed. Ah, those were the days. The trunk in my 70 Olds 98 was so deep I couldn't reach the spare tire nut without climbing in the trunk. I don't know what he'd think if ever came across the floor mounted radio station selector.


Post# 956712 , Reply# 165   9/9/2017 at 00:56 (2,392 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

Honestly none of those features struck me as odd and yet I've never driven a car older than a 1990 and haven't been in anything older than the 80s. Guess I just pay attention.

My Altima tells you what each tire's pressure is as well, comes in real handy when you're driving down the road and it suddenly goes flat from a nail so you know which tire it is before getting a chance to get out and look at it.


Post# 956724 , Reply# 166   9/9/2017 at 04:40 (2,392 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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My DTS and Escalade both had individual tire pressure monitoring also but my Lincoln MKS doesn't tell which tire.  It's ok though because it has a couple of other options the previous two Caddys did not....like butt massagers!  I wonder if Doug DeMuro has ever checked his blinker fluid?


Post# 956732 , Reply# 167   9/9/2017 at 05:30 (2,392 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

"10 Things We Miss Most About Old Cars"

 





Post# 956733 , Reply# 168   9/9/2017 at 05:33 (2,392 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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A follow up video. "10 More Things We Miss Most About Old Cars"

 





Post# 956735 , Reply# 169   9/9/2017 at 06:37 (2,392 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
I still catch myself

Stomping the floor to dim the lights, stupidest thing they ever did was move the dimmer switch from the floor where it belongs!

Post# 956739 , Reply# 170   9/9/2017 at 08:29 (2,392 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
"dimmer smart switch"

GM called it when they moved it integral with the turn signal lever.
My '77 Grand Prix had it. My ex had a '78 Phoenix which did not. After we went through yanking the V6 out of it that had a rod knock, dropped in an Olds 260 V8, the floor dimmer switch shorted out and burned up all the wiring. The car would have burned up, bu I cut the battery cable as it was beginning to burn and it went out. We sold the car for the good engine and trans.


Post# 956773 , Reply# 171   9/9/2017 at 13:48 (2,392 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

dimmer switch from the floor where it belongs!

 

I wonder where the best location would be? I am so locked into having it on the turn signal--every car I've ever driven has had it there--but I can see one argument for having it on the floor--it can be operated while the driver's hands stay fully on on the wheel. Although floor mounting could be bad if the driver needs to work a clutch at the same time he or she needs to dim a light.

 

I remember my parents got their first car with turn signal dimmer switch in the early 1980s. It may have been that switch that prompted my father to comment he wondered what would happen when a modern switch wore out and need replacing. Although, interestingly, all the switches still worked (and were original) when the engine on that car blew.

 

Other interesting memory: a few years ago, a bus I was riding had headlight failure. The bus was basically a large van, and as I recall the driver was able to stagger back to the garage by holding the high beam on (I think probably a "flash to pass"position).


Post# 956786 , Reply# 172   9/9/2017 at 15:07 (2,392 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
Lord Kenmore...

twintubdexter's profile picture

I remember my dad's "fishbowl window" Chevy truck had the starter on the floor let alone the headlight dimmer. If your parent's first car was an 80's then you're a very young person...I hate you wink

 

 

Kudos to you Norgeway


Post# 956801 , Reply# 173   9/9/2017 at 16:22 (2,391 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

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I preferred the headlight dimmer on the floor too! Also, I think that the old sealed beam headlights that were the standard for years were better too. All cars used essentially the same headlight bulbs. They were universally available, easy to replace and they didn't blind oncoming drivers like these new halogen headlights. And additionally, there were no plastic covers to get cloudy, yellowed and hazey, requiring either repair or replacement.

It used to be that the controls on cars were fairly standardized too. It was easy to get into another car and you pretty much knew where all the controls were and how they functioned. There is much to be desired about the old cars.

And Joe, I too remember the starter being on the floor of some cars too. I learned to drive stick in a 39' flatbed Chevrolet truck, and the starter was on the floor. There was also a throttle on the dash so you could set the throttle and drive without using the gas pedal. This was helpful for farmers and ranchers when they need to use the truck in the fields, like for dropping off bales of hay.

And don't even get me started about visibility, or the lack thereof in the new cars. I love my 07' Honda Civic, but the blindspots are the pits! I've never owned a car with worse visibility, from all angles!
Eddie


Post# 956804 , Reply# 174   9/9/2017 at 16:40 (2,391 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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If your parent's first car was an 80's then you're a very young person...I hate you

 

Not necessarily. What if one's parents were 80 at the time of purchasing their first car? LOL And you hate me? Join the special "We Hate Lord Kenmore Club" which is large, and growing with each and every last one of my posts. LOL

 

Actually, I probably worded my comment above poorly. They bought first cars in the 60s, but this 80s purchase was the first that had a turn signal dimmer switch.


Post# 956824 , Reply# 175   9/9/2017 at 19:49 (2,391 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
Lord Kenmore....

twintubdexter's profile picture

You know I was just kidding of course...and maybe they just waited to get the senior discount.


Post# 956829 , Reply# 176   9/9/2017 at 20:11 (2,391 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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I never think to ask for a seniors discount, although I am old enough, oh well, part of getting older, you forget to ask and then its too late. I have had cars with dimmer switches on the floor, my first, a 63 Rambler. I do like the little left finger dimming or bright is much easier.I wished you had a blind them switch for those jerks that have to put 12 high beams on to blind you.



This post was last edited 09/09/2017 at 21:16
Post# 956830 , Reply# 177   9/9/2017 at 20:43 (2,391 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

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The dimmer switch on the turn signal stalk is so easy to use and within easy reach but with auto headlight dimming, I never have to manually dim the lights anyway :-)

Gary


Post# 956849 , Reply# 178   9/9/2017 at 23:45 (2,391 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

Same here Gary.  You still liking your MKC?


Post# 956901 , Reply# 179   9/10/2017 at 09:45 (2,391 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

Re: #159

I lasted until 6:36 when he commented that the floor-mounted dimmer switch was bizarre. That was it. Done.

Hello? Which is more likely to be occupied with another driving task when you want to hit the high beam switch, your left hand or your left foot?

It's both funny and sad that it never seems to cross his mind that there might've been an actual reason things were designed/built the way they were. I'm not saying the reason would've been a good one; my issue is that it doesn't dawn on him that there might've been one at all.

Yes, I know I'm overreacting. That mindset grates on me more and more the older I get. There's a name for it, but it escapes me at the moment. But here are two quotes I heard that represent it. One I heard live, the other on the news:
"Well, she can't be famous because *I've* never heard of her."
"Obviously it's not actually a problem because if it were *I* would have known about it."
-------------------------

Agree totally with the comments above calling "Bullshit!" regarding "women drivers". IMO, any time a woman isn't as good as a man behind the wheel it's because she hasn't had the same exposure, training, practice, etc. than the man/men she's being compared to.




Post# 956903 , Reply# 180   9/10/2017 at 09:50 (2,391 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Lincoln MKC, etc.;

Friends of ours just leased an MKC. So far they like it. They had an MKX. They wanted the same payment. Retired on a budget. It's smaller of course.

We need a new(er) vehicle soon. Considering a 2016 Chevy Traverse, 2017 Colorado crew or max cab V6, etc., etc. Not opposed to other than GM. Son is Ford employee if we go new. They don't get a huge discount.
We don't drive a lot of miles anymore, so we could lease again, but insurance is higher on a brand new anything.


Post# 956923 , Reply# 181   9/10/2017 at 11:11 (2,391 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

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Greg,

I have not had any more issues with the MKC since my last round of problems in March/April. I do love the styling, comfort, conveniences and ride. I can drive for 10 hours and not have an aching lower back or thighs. I will have to bring it in shortly to have my last free oil change and service. There is another TSB for the heated seats which I will get done as well. The first TSB was supposed to improve the length of time to warm the seats but it really didn't help. Hopefully this 2nd TSB will make an improvement. I am also going to have them look at the exhaust tips which are starting to rust. I know someone else that had the same issue with the exhaust tips and his entire exhaust system had to be replaced because it is all one piece.

Gary


Post# 956934 , Reply# 182   9/10/2017 at 12:41 (2,391 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

"Which is more likely to be occupied with another driving task when you want to hit the high beam switch, your left hand or your left foot?"

That made me laugh out loud.

The first wave of cars had *no* headlights. The second wave had, I'm not even sure of the name anymore, carbide lamp or acetylene lamps, perhaps? The second and half wave had as an *option* an electric headlight -- if memory serves me right, the control was on the dashboard.

The third wave of cars came with headlights. Electric. That is more or less when the "standard" transmission showed up -- that referred to how the gears were arranged, so people who knew how to drive one could drive a similar one in another car. They were all manual transmissions.

So, for good or bad, until automatic transmissions showed up, your left hand was busy with the steering wheel, your right hand was busy with the gearshift and your feet were *all* busy with the accelerator, brake and clutch. Using a foot switch at night to signal other cars was not as easy or as safe as some here are making it to be, it was just that foot switches were cheap and easy to install. I've driven cars with high-beam foot switches and manual transmissions and it's a big pain in the ass at night. (Incidentally, professional drivers that race automatic transmission cars say that you use your right foot for the accelerator and left foot for the brake, making the use of floor switches complicated during emergencies -- when driving an automatic my left foot is "idle"/"available" for foot switches because I learned to drive a manual transmission *first* and the professional racers tell me I am wrong not to do what they do. For what's worth.)

Putting the high-beam switch in the steering wheel cluster is hard and expensive, but it was the right thing to do, given that the vast majority of the world uses manual transmissions and are used to signaling trouble with blinking the high-beams on momentarily.

For people who did not bother to watch the whole video, he also bitterly complains that the mirrors are too small and the view from inside the car is abysmally bad, he can't see much to be able to back up the car safely. He also complained about the car being too heavy for the engine (lack of) power, apparently the engine is less than 200 HP for a car that is several times longer and heavier than current cars. He also complained about the car being about as responsive to steering as a boat, he had to move the steering wheel about a foot or so before the car even began steering in that direction.

The *only* thing he liked about the car was how comfortable the seats were.

There are *lots* of things to agree with and disagree with in that video. But that guy is really annoying and grated on my nerves even when I agreed with him.

Incidentally, I can't remember when adjustable steering wheels showed up on the scene and/or became affordable enough, but I would have thought that by 1977 they were available and should be a standard thing with a Cadillac, given the air of luxury they were expected to have. So, *I* was surprised when he complained that his legs were banging against the dashboard, I would have thought he could have put the seat a little further from the dash and adjust the steering wheel accordingly.

Just the same, my impression of such cars has not changed at all: except for the fact that "full-size cars" back then were expected to have a bit more space for the rear passengers and the smaller cars used to make passengers legs cramped, my impression is that you had a 20+ feet long car which is hard to find space to park for in places like NYC and Boston, but room for passengers and drivers was not much better than any new car. Maybe people who traveled all the time were enjoying the noticeable larger trunk.

Again, let me reaffirm here what I've said many times before: it's more than fine to have a preference for old cars or new cars etc. No one has to justify preferring cake to pies or vice-versa, it's what you like.

My problem starts when people start trying to justify their preferences on why cake is healthier than pie or pie is better than cake on some made up reason that is easily disproven.

To put it another way, imagine if I started telling you folks how much better purple cars were than any other cars. It wouldn't take long for you to realize how ludicrous that reason is. People should be free to like, love or hate purple cars without the need for any reason whatsoever.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.


Post# 956941 , Reply# 183   9/10/2017 at 14:09 (2,391 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

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I learned to drive on the Northern California coast backroads and US HWY 1. They are winding, mountainous roads that require a lot of shifing if you are driving a stick and at night requiring frequent headlight dimming due to oncoming traffic on two lane roads. I never found that the floor dimmer switch was difficult to use because a shift was required at the same time I needed to dim the lights. This is a situation that comes up not that often, you can see the oncoming car before you need to shift, so dim, then shift, no problem, or visa versa. As I recall it was second nature to use my left foot to activate the dimmer switch, its' all about what you get used to.

Maybe if I were to go back to the floor dimmer switch I wouldn't like it as much as I remember, but from what I recall it just seemed more natural to use my foot, and it took a while to adjust to the dimmer on the turn signal. To me it just made more sense because your hands are better occupied being on the wheel, especially on windy roads. But what do I know? I've only been driving for over 50 years now. And I've driven lots of old cars, and they had their strengths and weaknesses, just like the new cars.

Nothing is perfect.

My two cents worth.
Eddie



Post# 956944 , Reply# 184   9/10/2017 at 14:40 (2,391 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        
Lord Kenmore....You know I was just kidding of course

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Yes, of course!


Post# 956946 , Reply# 185   9/10/2017 at 14:51 (2,391 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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IMO, any time a woman isn't as good as a man behind the wheel it's because she hasn't had the same exposure, training, practice, etc. than the man/men she's being compared to.

 

It's not just women who get attacked for their driving--I've noticed the same thing (although perhaps to a lesser degree) about other groups. There was some very ugly commentary on YouTube car videos about one the people involved in making the video, who had Asian ancestry.

 

I have to wonder if commentary about driving skills isn't largely about a white man trying to sell himself on the idea that he's somehow superior.

 

I ride the bus--I don't have a running car at the moment--and I've actually found that all--and I repeat all--the women who have driven a bus I've been have been quite competent. I don't think this next point is particularly valid past being my limited experience with one transit agency, but the bus drivers who have made me nervous have all been men. (Although there have been thankfully very few of those.) One regular driver a while back even had slightly aggressive tendencies behind the wheel. Another passenger and I agreed we were both happier not paying attention to the details of what was going on--like left turns where he probably should have yielded.


Post# 956947 , Reply# 186   9/10/2017 at 15:00 (2,391 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

Eddie:

Yes, as usual, you are right. It's not that hard, particularly if that's what you learned *first* and used it for some time. Just like it's easy and second nature in SF to just hold the clutch with your left foot, the brake with your right foot and slowly release the clutch, then the brake while at the same time using your right foot heel to tap the accelerator when you are stopped and about to move going up a steep hill. Some people consider using the handbrake in that situation "cheating" but I gather it depends on when you learned how to drive and who was the officer during your driving test.

Or, when I learned how to drive, you had to stop with the tires in a certain direction if you were parked uphill or downhill in SF.

But I can assure you, just like modern cars benefit from the tires in a certain direction when parked uphill or downhill, but it's not absolutely necessary anymore, once you drive for years with switches around the steering wheel, you will be annoyed with dash and floor switches, particularly during emergency maneuvers. It's not impossible, it's just a skill that's not taught anymore (just like many people do not know anymore how to set the distributor advance while driving, all cars do that for you now) and the times I've driven relatives' cars with manual transmissions and floor switches, I found them annoying. Luckily, I haven't had to downshift suddenly while blinking the high beams to alert people in front of me with those cars. When one is driving what we in America think of a "normal, modern" car, all we have to do is step on the brake, try to steer away from the trouble and blink the high beams, fast and easy. Not gonna list the lots of situations when having a manual transmission might be better or cheaper etc.

My point is that mostly now in my age I have a much higher appreciation for the absence of floor switches, and the amount of automation that driving is getting, including automatic transmissions, auto chokes, auto distributor advance, ABS, traction control, stability control, and even little things like intermittent wipers, rain sensors, cruise control and associated things (adaptive cruise control, automatic braking etc).

On of my brothers used to poke fun at those (he's younger than I am) -- he loves driving, he gets *miffed* when we go somewhere and he's not driving, he'll point out old cars didn't have those and people liked them etc. In fact, from the sounds of it, you'd think his dick would fall off if he couldn't drive a complicated car. He stopped poking fun one day when he drove one of the many 1940's cars one of my uncles had, he got sick pretty quickly of having to press the clutch, put the car in neutral, press the clutch again and change to the gear he wanted (no synchromesh on 1st or 2nd), not to say anything about having to crank the windshield wiper yourself. That's when he realized we *all* are used to some level of assistance from the cars, it's just what we grew up with is "normal" and the rest of the new stuff is for people who don't know how to drive properly.

Yeah, I can see that some people think that having all the "safety equipment" will save them from themselves and they can do all the wrong things -- I usually see them a few miles further down the road, in the middle of a ditch. Safety equipment does not relieve anyone from paying attention.

But the vast majority of cars leaving the assembly line this year will make it possible for people to brake the car and steer away from the problem, when 25 years ago that was not common and it was expensive, and a bit before then, you might not have been able to do it at all, skidding was a much more common situation back then.

I, for one, welcome all of that. Even self-driving cars.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.


Post# 956961 , Reply# 187   9/10/2017 at 17:02 (2,390 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

Another late 1970s US luxury car video. This video demonstrates being able to steer with one finger, and also makes the comment that at least cars back then had a "style" unlike today.

 





Post# 956964 , Reply# 188   9/10/2017 at 17:54 (2,390 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Paulo,

ea56's profile picture
thanks for the compliment! But no one knows better than I that I'm not always right, and I sure hope that I can always admit it when I'm wrong.

Your description of starting off on a steep hill without using the E-brake is how I was taught too, but I haven't owned a manual trans car for 20 years, so it might be a challenge, but I wouldn't be afraid to attempt it. Using a clutch is like riding a bike, once you learn, you never forget.

I was also taught to curb the wheels when parking on hill, just like you were, parking downhill, wheels turned towards the curb manual trans in reverse gear, parking uphill, wheels turned to the left and allow the right tire to gently touch the curb, with gearshift 1st. And in heavy traffic I was taught to also use my hand and arm signals, to be sure other drivers knew your intent. I don't use the arm turn signals anymore, but if I'm stuck in stop and go traffic on the highway I'll still sometimes use my hand signal for stop, left arm down palm facing back. Old habits die hard.

But you are correct about all the great safety features too. In 2000 I hit another car in the rear when he pulled suddenly in front of me. I was driving a 98' Honda Accord. I jammed both feet on the brake and literally had my ass out of the seat standing on the brake when the airbag deployed and slapped me in the face. It kind of even burned my face, but I had no injuries other than being stunned. That experience made me a believer in airbags.

I feel the same way about ABS, great safety feature. And anyone that thinks you are any safer in a huge 55' Cadillac, without seat belts, think again. I vividly remember seeing these old tanks in terrible accidents in the 50's and 60's in the Bay Area before my family moved to the country. It was common to see lots of blood from occupants that hit the windshield, or were impaled by the steering column.

Even so, I still love old cars and I realize that if I were ever lucky enough to acquire one, driving it would be different than what I've become used to and not as safe.

One thing about new cars that is not safer are the ubiquitous power windows. Go into the drink and unless you're able to break or kick out a window, say your prayers, cause you're probably gonna drown. And you would be hard pressed to find any new car now with windup windows. I love the convenience of the power windows, but I sure hope that I'll have the presence of mind to roll the window down if I ever find my car heading into the water.

Eddie




This post was last edited 09/10/2017 at 20:26
Post# 956972 , Reply# 189   9/10/2017 at 19:17 (2,390 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
My '81 Subaru had a hill holder clutch that was supposedly patented by Studebaker. Stop on a steep grade and it locked and it let go as you went forward, no e/brake necessary. Nobody around here has a manual Subaru now. Even though I have a 36 year old Corvette, I prefer my newer Silverado I have now for the ease and safety things. Vette is for sale, want it? Sorry, no air bags in it.

Post# 956977 , Reply# 190   9/10/2017 at 19:47 (2,390 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

cadman's profile picture
I just could _not_ get through that video. I actually own a '76 Eldo (restored it in high school and still have it) and know these cars inside and out. Somehow the most unique things about the design escape him and the usual tropes make their appearance.

I do get tired of the 'huge car, puny HP' comment from people who have always had 200HP 4-cylinders available. Apparently knowing about torque curves or gearing isn't a requirement to be 'a car guy' these days. Mine has been souped up a bit, but in factory trim and tuned correctly, these 5000 pound cars get up and boogy!

Edit: Did this guy bury the lede or just miss the obvious? Not only are these Eldos FWD, but this one happens to have a rare '77 option- Electronic Multiport Fuel Injection (making more HP than he claims, sure, but drastically improving drivability).



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This post was last edited 09/10/2017 at 20:09
Post# 957043 , Reply# 191   9/11/2017 at 01:11 (2,390 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

My Mom and Stepdad had one of those large,long, Licolin Towncars.They liked it- I HATED it-the thing was just too big-clumsy to me to drive-felt like I was driving their pickup.The LON----GGGG Hood is just WASTED space.The back seat was not habitable by an adult person.Glad they went back to a four door model-was better.and I liked the 4 door Lincolin better than the Cadillac they bought later.For motors-My Toyota Highland Hybrid gas motor-a 6 has 264 HP.The hybrid motors can add 125 extra HP.Yes,my car has all of the new fangled stuff-but like it.You just have to get used to it.And my car handles better than those HUGE rolling sofas of the past.

Post# 957396 , Reply# 192   9/13/2017 at 12:59 (2,388 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
re: "Lexus & Mercedes don't build a perfect car!"

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
A case-in-point is a 1980's Mercedes that I used to frequently see as often as from when it was new up to a-few-years-ago that I no longer do...

It had those new-fangled headlights & even the wipers (and washers) fading & showing their age--to where the cleaning apparatuses probably no longer worked...


-- Dave


Post# 957441 , Reply# 193   9/13/2017 at 21:40 (2,387 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Toyota

Our family owns all Toyotas now. We have a 98 Prizm (Corolla), 99 Camry, and a 14.5 Camry. The older ones have well over 100K and drive like new. Also, my 99 Camry has the most comfortable back seat I have ever sat in. People tell me this all the time and I agree. They easily are some of the best cars on the road. Yes, Toyotas are recalled frequently, however they do recall them when they know something is wrong.

Post# 957485 , Reply# 194   9/14/2017 at 07:17 (2,387 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Believe it or not

I can parallel park my Grand Marquis or a Town Car MUCH easier than I ever could either of the Hyundais or the Accord I had, And speaking of floor switches, My 63 Olds Starfire had TWO switches on the floor, the dimmer and a radio selector switch,But still...You have never really driven until you drive a mid 60s big Chrysler product, now THAT is what power steering is supposed to feel like and that is how a automatic is supposed to work!

Post# 957610 , Reply# 195   9/15/2017 at 04:24 (2,386 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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I must say the electric steering on our new MKS is pretty sweet.  It is effortless when sitting still or going slow and has more feel when at highway speeds.  I'm impressed so far.


Post# 957768 , Reply# 196   9/16/2017 at 13:53 (2,385 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Post# 957780 , Reply# 197   9/16/2017 at 16:21 (2,384 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
One nice thing about old cars, is they don't depreciate like new cars do. If you were to buy a car back in the 1960's for $7,000.00, and if you were to sell it now, you would probably get $8,000.00-$10,000.00 for it. New cars loose a lot of value in the first five years.

Post# 957781 , Reply# 198   9/16/2017 at 16:21 (2,384 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
One nice thing about old cars, is they don't depreciate like new cars do. If you were to buy a car back in the 1960's for $7,000.00, and if you were to sell it now, you would probably get $8,000.00-$10,000.00 for it. New cars loose a lot of value in the first five years.

Post# 957784 , Reply# 199   9/16/2017 at 16:49 (2,384 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

Yes, new cars lose a lot of value--starting the second you first start it to drive it off the lot... But that's always been true--those cars of the 60s dropped in value, too. It's just that they have had enough time to become collectible, and thus start appreciating in value. Indeed, I half wonder if the situation wasn't worse once with depreciation. (Perhaps someone who was around and paying attention can tell us what the depreciation realities were like in past decades vs. now.)


Post# 958370 , Reply# 200   9/20/2017 at 21:37 (2,380 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Ford Model A as a daily driver:

 





Post# 958394 , Reply# 201   9/21/2017 at 00:07 (2,380 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
John

ea56's profile picture
thanks for sharing the video of the daily driver Model A Ford.

When my parents got married in1948 my Dad was in law school on the GI Bill. He owned a 39' La Salle at the time. Anyway, they went on a modest honeymoon on the Russian River and came back with only $7.00 to last for the next two weeks before either of them would get their next paycheck. So my Dad sold the La Salle for a couple of hundred bucks and they bought a 1930 Model A Tudor for $75.00.

Mom didn't have her license yet and no one wanted to teach her so she taught herself in the Model A. Then she went down to the the DMV and took her test. They had a Skye Terrier at the time that shed all over the inside of the car. The examiner got in wearing a blue serge suit, and immediatly began brushing off the dog hair. Well this Model A had tendency for the throttle linkage coming loose, and wouldn't you know it it came loose during Mom's exam. She was only 4'9", but she knew how to fix it. So when the car died at a stop sign, she got out, rolled up the hood, took out her screw driver and reconnected the linkage. By this time Mr. Blue Serge Suit had had quit enough. He said, "Lady if you can drive this thing, you can drive anything, take me back you got your license".

My Mom used to love telling us this story. Every time I see a Model A I think of it. Thanks for letting me share it with you.
Eddie


Post# 958415 , Reply# 202   9/21/2017 at 06:42 (2,380 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

You're welcome, Eddie!

 

Thanks for sharing the story about your mother's driving test. I loved it!


Post# 958421 , Reply# 203   9/21/2017 at 08:05 (2,380 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

Another Model A video. This one interested me in that it shows the realities of driving a really old car where just about nothing is automatic. Even something as simple as starting the car is considerably more complicated than we are used to. It's a bit a long--20 minutes--but it's probably not necessary to watch the whole video.

 





Post# 958422 , Reply# 204   9/21/2017 at 08:06 (2,380 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
The old Ford

Model T and A plant is being turned into Lofts.
My company built a new store in the 90's in Highland Park, and put a Model T in the atrium. The shopping plaza was called Model T plaza.
Unfortunately theft at that store was rampant. I'm certain most of the funds spent there were food stamps.
That was the last store opened in the inner city until Kroger built one in Rivertown near down town last decade. Now Whole Foods has also, and Aldi.

Off point, but important to me, so not sorry, but sorry if you're not interested. Can't please everyone.

Mikes fresh markets occupy a few of our former stores. The Aldi at the Gross Pointe park border gets a lot of suburban customers. The neighborhood adjacent has yet to be gentrified, but it's a start.
As younger people become higher educated, they become employed in non manufacturing jobs.
Healthcare, finance, research, engineering, and design is where it's at today.
There are a number of smaller manufacturing related shops, but they pay near poverty level wages. A few are the exception of course. One I know of is German owned. They only employ about 50, and most of them are related, and have been there for many years.
It's been and is a long road back from the ashes.
My neighbor works for that German company. He's quite the racist. Oppressed people developed a thick skin. Yes, at times to the point of being violent. They raised their kids the same way. Whitey is bad.
Continuing to incite racial superiority won't help soften it. Getting others to think just might help. All human minds can think. None are inferior, only the information fed them. Saying things like "they have their Obama phones, but don't know anything else" is just as bad as saying whitey is bad.
Oh, I've had black people get irate with me at times. One simply because I couldn't recommend the best wine. I'm not a sumaliet'. I know if a wine is dry, sweet, or fruity. Cooking wines have salt added.
So I deflected the conversation and asked how I could choose the best greens, and how to prepare a sweet potato pie. I like soul food, but not how to cook it.
I turned that guy's frown to a smile.
Take an interest in a strangers culture, you might make a friend.
I've also been held up at gun point at one of my former stores back in the 80's.
That gives me the excuse to be a hater or be racist right there. I almost quit. I needed therapy. But, my next store was where educated blacks lived. My assistants husband was a chemist.


Post# 958438 , Reply# 205   9/21/2017 at 11:56 (2,380 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
John

ea56's profile picture
thanks for sharing another great Model A video. Watching it reminded me of how much I used to enjoy the rhythm of driving a three speed manual transmission. It was something that just became second nature.

And the tightness of that 89 year old Ford was very impressive! The steering wheel didn't vibrate at all and such seemed like those brakes did there job just fine too, although I realize that our modern brakes are vastly improved, for mechanical brakes they were pretty good. Ford was one of the last auto companies to use hydraulic brakes, Henry Ford was slow to change something he felt was laready successful.
Eddie


Post# 958442 , Reply# 206   9/21/2017 at 12:28 (2,380 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
My brother in law had a 1920 something Model A. Politically incorrect label on the accelerator lever said advance to speed up and retard to slow down.

Post# 958451 , Reply# 207   9/21/2017 at 13:32 (2,380 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
Old cars will just run forever, and are simple to fix. It is discouraging how you can't even fix your own car anymore, and it cost $$$$ to fix a newer car, and to buy all of the diagnostic equipment and tools.

Post# 958459 , Reply# 208   9/21/2017 at 14:18 (2,380 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

You're welcome, Eddie!

 

And I have preferred manual transmissions, although I've never had anything less than a 4 speed. But the rhythm of shifting gears is enjoyable. And it definitely becomes second nature.

 

And the tightness of that 89 year old Ford was very impressive!

 

It is...although I'm wondering if that isn't the result of a ton of money being poured into the car. I don't know the history past what gets talked about in that video, but I have to assume that there is no way that car could have lasted all these years in that condition without needing major work (quite possibly more than once).


Post# 958952 , Reply# 209   9/24/2017 at 22:49 (2,376 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.)        
Maytag85 I know where you are coming from BUT.........

appliguy's profile picture
When I was your age Sean I felt exactly the same way you do but time has shown me that new cars are not bad either. Now I do feel that we are starting to give a little more control of our cars to computers then we should (i.e self parking and self driving cars and such) but the fact is cars of today are much better made and on a whole tend to be more reliable and more economical as well as environmentally cleaner then what you refer to as “old cars” and I refer to as “vintage cars” and there will be plenty of todays cars around in 10 or 20 years. Look at a lot of the cars that are on the road now, a lot of them are 10 to 20 years old and they are still being driven everyday and todays cars are built even better then cars that were built at the turn of this century. I was born in 1976 and I grew up around cars of the 60’s 70’s, 80’s & 90’s and I can tell you that cars from these era’s are a lot more maintenance intensive both mechanically and bodily. Most American cars of the 70’s and 80’s were not put together very well and were not always very reliable. For example the rear windshields on my folks 1968 Pontiac Tempest and 1974 Chevrolet Caprice rusted out and started leaking with in the first two years my folks owned them and both were bought brand new by my folks. My dad fixed both rear windshields but said it was a major undertaking and today it would cost a fair amount of money to have a body shop do the work. The power windows on my dads 1979 Buick LaSabre were always going out and after trying to fix them himself multiple times to avoid a big repair bill he gave up and the only window that still worked was the drivers window. Oil changes, filter changes, timing belt changes, etc. all had/have to be done with more frequency then they do on the cars of today. Oh and as someone that owned a 1959 Ford Custom 300 club sedan for a while let me tell you that while vintage cars are easier to fix than modern ones, parts for them can be just as expensive and in some cases a lot more expensive then it would be to have a modern car repaired by a reputable mechanic. That also goes for body work, especially if you are driving a vintage car that is not real easy to get body parts for. Bodies on vintage cars were not made with as good of corrosion protection as modern car bodies so I hope you have a friend/relative who either works at or owns a body shop or that you are proficient in doing the body work yourself and that you have all the expensive tools it takes to do the body work so it does not look like crap. Cars today have crumple zones that sacrifice the car instead of the people in it in an accident. As proven in an above post, in older cars there is a lot more of a chance that you could be hurt in an accident and let me remind you that no matter how safe of a driver you are that does not guarantee that some other irresponsible idiot will not hit your car while you are in it. Also newer cars are on a whole are physically easier to drive and modern anti lock disc brakes bring modern cars to a stop quicker and safer than old fashioned drum breaks do. I know Norgeway has been singing the praise of vintage Chrysler Corp Full Time Power Steering and I have heard other people sing the same praise and I do not doubt it is well deserved praise at that. The reality you have to accept is while power steering in vintage cars is nice, power steering was not a common item in cars until the 1970’s. Neither were other luxuries we take for granted now like power brakes and air conditioning. Until you drive a car with manual steering and brakes with no air conditioning on a hot humid summer afternoon you will not understand how uncomfortable driving a vintage car can be at times. As for styling, now that is a matter of taste and I do have to agree with you that vintage cars have more style but what modern cars lack in style they make up for in other areas such as safety and convince. In closing like you and Norgeway, I would love to drive a vintage car as a daily driver, but like Norgeway I realize that a modern car is the more sensible and economical choice as a daily driver. PAT COFFEY

Post# 958953 , Reply# 210   9/24/2017 at 23:36 (2,376 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
I have no respect for newer cars at all! I will, and will only like old cars only. #moderncarsdeservetogotothecrusher

Post# 958992 , Reply# 211   9/25/2017 at 06:17 (2,376 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
Also on New Cars--Beware:

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
The curb/parking block manufacturers and auto manufacturers need to get together on how high to make the underside of vehicles & how much lower cement designed to tear off the bottom spoiler on the underside front of your NEW car is supposed to be...

Too often that cheap rubber gets torn off & dragged on the ground--also your radiator & cooling vessels & even components for air conditioning are under that area nearby...


-- Dave


Post# 958999 , Reply# 212   9/25/2017 at 06:35 (2,376 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.)        
Spoken like a true teenager......

appliguy's profile picture
I guess you are going to have to learn the hard way Sean. I hope you are planning on being filthy rich so you can keep your “old” car running as a daily driver and have good health insurance so you can afford a hospital stay if you get in a bad accident .....PAT COFFEY

Post# 959003 , Reply# 213   9/25/2017 at 07:02 (2,376 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

Pat:

It's hard to tell from where we've been sitting, but my impression is that we've been dealing either with a person on the autism spectrum or a troller that posts "outrageous" statements just to see the commotion. There might be other choices too, but those are the two most likely to be true at this point.

I guess we will find out soon enough.

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.


Post# 959151 , Reply# 214   9/26/2017 at 00:35 (2,375 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

You sensed that too huh?


Post# 959154 , Reply# 215   9/26/2017 at 00:52 (2,375 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
I got the sense some while ago of the first scenario.


Post# 960037 , Reply# 216   10/1/2017 at 13:42 (2,370 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
FASTEN BELTS--remember for only a FEW SECONDS?!

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
The BUZZZZZZ!!!! that the seat belt/keys in iginigiton/headlamos on that your OLD CAR sounds...

NOT the rings, dings, pings & blings (Dodge & all Ford/Lincoln/Mercury sound the worst & my aunt's Nissan pick-up which was from the beginning of ALL VEHICLES having those dumb chimes!) that your new cars do...


-- Dave


Post# 960157 , Reply# 217   10/2/2017 at 05:46 (2,369 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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Our new Lincoln dings for the seatbelts.  If a front seat occupant does not buckle up it will "remind" them every few seconds until they do.  The park assist is a handy feature but the blind spot detection and alert system is annoying when backing the car under the carport.  It beeps at me to warn me of an approaching tree in my blind spot!  I just can't help but laugh when it does it.


Post# 960247 , Reply# 218   10/2/2017 at 15:11 (2,369 days old) by Vintagedreams (San Diego)        
The Classics all the way

As a newbie here and a fan of old appliances, I also love old cars, and have owned a few myself.

Currently, I own a 64 Cadillac, a 94 Fleetwood Brougham and a 78 Lincoln Continental. Previously I owned a 61 Lincoln ( Suicide Doors) Continental, a 72 Cadillac, and a 68 Cadillac, all were wonderful cars.

As you can tell I prefer the smooth driving classic luxury cars over anything fast and loud.

This topic is a very hard choice for me, having a lot of experience in owning classic cars, and knowing the difficulties that come along with it, I have to say, if I could drive my 64 Cadillac every day as a daily driver, I would!

The 64 was the pinnacle of Cadillacs, it was the last of the "Fin" era and the 50's design and styling cues. It was one of the last Cads that was high quality and built extremely well. The car floats over everything, the interior is massive and the 429 pulls like a hot rod in disguise. For being so old, the Cad handles and drives well, when I can afford it, I am definitely going to install disc brakes all around because the braking is the worst aspect of the car. But for looks and comfort, it's my favorite of the bunch.

What is amazing to me is how automakers were able to build such works of art, with all that chrome, and heavy duty steel, yet turn around every year and build something completely different so fast without the help of computers, really is mind-blowing at times. The average cycle of a certain model of modern cars is like 4-5 years, while in the 50's-60's, it was more like 1-2.

I own a 2017 Impala with 30,000 miles on it, which I love, it has pretty much every feature you can think of besides for all the safety nanny tech, like blind spot warning, etc..

It rides smooth for the most part, is well constructed, has great power, and hasn't let me down, but compared to my 94 Fleetwood, 64 Cad and my 78 Linc, the Impala feels like a toy. My 94 Cad and my 78 Linc are the absolute best riding cars I have ever owned, you hardly feel any bumps inside, they are very quiet to drive and they dont jolt you or shake you around like the majority of modern cars do, including my Impala. Going over the roughest pavement where I live, doesn't faze my Cad or Linc, they just glide over the rough stuff, but because the Impala is FWD has a shorter wheelbase, has no separate frame, you feel more of the road imperfections compared to my older full-framed tanks on wheels.

Someone that doesn't know any better, and has never experience driver large luxury cars from the 60's-90's, will think that their Toyo Camry or Hyundai Sonata rides like dream, they honestly don't know what they are talking about.

All in all, modern cars are more reliable, will go further without major issues, are cleaner to the environment, get way better MPG's, generally have more power than the behemoths of the past, but they will never look as cool, feel as solid, or stand out like a 50's-70's luxury Classic, nor are they as comfortable to drive for long hours like a 70's Lincoln is.

Modern cars do feel like an appliance that is built for a short lifespan, one area I notice this is how all new cars door handles are plastic, those hinges will eventually break, and come off, the leathers are cheaper feeling, just an overload of plastic trim pieces that used to be all metal in the old cars.

Nothing feels substantial anymore, and this goes for modern appliances as well.

It's the age we live in today. That's why it's more important than ever to appreciate and fix up these old cars if you have the ability to do so.


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Post# 960262 , Reply# 219   10/2/2017 at 17:26 (2,368 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Vintagedreams, your '64 Cadillac looks just like the one my dad's Uncle Fred bought new in the Fall of '63. I remember if was a White Sedan deVille.

When he got a new '72, we got the '64, and had it for a couple of years. I drove it a few times, and remember one time I backed it out of the garage, catching the front door chrome strip on the side of the garage. It pulled it and the one on the front fender out about 2'. When I got out, the piece on the door fell off. I took a hammer and tapped the part on the fender back in place, but couldn't reattach the door section. My dad was less than pleased that I messed it up.


Post# 960277 , Reply# 220   10/2/2017 at 18:47 (2,368 days old) by Xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )        

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Vintagedreams,

Your 94 Caddy is the younger sister to my 93 Fleetwood Brougham.
I like your burgandy one better than my silver one.
Mine has the I'm assuming uncommon for the time heated front seats.
I'm up to 93,000 miles now. Have an oil leak that needs addressed, and a blower motor with very bad bearings.

While I like me 2013 XTS (essentially same as your Impala) nothing compares to the floaty ride of a huge luxury RWD sedan from GM, or my prior Roadmaster wagon.

Luckily with my town and country driving I get between 19-22 mpg in the Fleetwood.


Post# 960288 , Reply# 221   10/2/2017 at 20:01 (2,368 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Video In Post 187

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Cory I could not get through that either, the guy is a complete dick, differently knows darn little about cars.


Post# 960290 , Reply# 222   10/2/2017 at 20:09 (2,368 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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Okay, it's an--Eeeeeeehhhhhhhhhh!--that the buzzer makes...

(Just watched that video & seems to be one thing I gained--well, the gauges across the lower part of the instrumental panel might'a bee fun to watch before the dash gained the LTD/Marquis "full warning light package" cluster...


-- Dave


Post# 960443 , Reply# 223   10/3/2017 at 15:36 (2,368 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
another old one...

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just arrived here, an original '68 Caprice Sport Sedan ie 4 dr hardtop, with 78 k miles. Lack of serious emission controls and heavy mid '70s safety junk makes it an excellent and sprightly performer with just a 327 4 bbl and the superb THM-400, and the reasonable weight (3800 lbs) and size plus a pretty luxurious interior and great GM late '60s ride/handling make this one of the best overall driving vintage cars we've ever had, and one of the easiest for finding parts too. Newer cars for safe economical daily driving, a beautiful classic for a relaxing Sunday drive in NY's gorgeous Finger Lakes wine country...imo the best of both worlds!

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Post# 960483 , Reply# 224   10/3/2017 at 19:53 (2,367 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Im NOT a GM person

But I agree with you, these are good dependable vehicles.Ihad a 68 Bel Air many years ago, a good driving car.

Post# 960599 , Reply# 225   10/4/2017 at 15:16 (2,367 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        
'68 Chevrolet

That's a very nice Caprice. I think the color is called Grecian Green - is that correct? One of my mom's friend had a '68 Impala, and it was Fathom Blue.

One of my neighbors used to have two '67 Chevrolets; one an Impala in Nantucket Blue, and the other a Bel Air in Mountain Green.

Of course I didn't remember the official names for the colors, but I matched them up on PaintRef.com.


Post# 960614 , Reply# 226   10/4/2017 at 16:06 (2,366 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
Thanks, and yes it is...

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Grecian Green, and it's completely original with the exception of an "outer skin" repaint in the original color over 20 yrs ago. It's always been kept indoors.
www.autocolorlibrary.com... is another good resource for original color chips.

The pic is at the seller's house btw, our small rancher is considerably less grand!


Post# 960652 , Reply# 227   10/4/2017 at 20:36 (2,366 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Nice Caprice!

 

I'm not sure of exact models now, but a couple of junior high teachers had late 60s Chevrolets in the early 80s.

 

One was thinking about trading his Chevrolet in on a new Ford Thunderbird. I was a bit shocked at the time--the old car seemed more interesting to me. He did apparently do the trade when I was in high school.

 

The other teacher also had a late 1970s Ford van, and he liked to talk in class a lot about the sliding standards in America, and how quality was going down the drain. He once said he expected the Chevrolet and the van to last about the same length of time the Chevrolet was older, but the van had modern quality... At the time I had him, he mentioned he got offers from high school students for his Chevrolet, but he refused, since he and his wife needed a car.

 

Another time, this same teacher was talking about electric cars. He said that they might be viable for around town, but were seriously limited with distance/top speed. So people would need to have a four car garage--daily driver electric cars for the husband and wife. Then there would be two gas powered cars--one for general family use, and the other to be backup when the first wasn't working right due to lousy modern quality.

 


Post# 960692 , Reply# 228   10/5/2017 at 03:42 (2,366 days old) by Vintagedreams (San Diego)        

I couldn't agree with you more Xray, that's great to hear! My Fleetwood has 194,000 original miles on it, and it's still going strong. I also have a blower motor issue, it doesn't work! But all the power windows and door locks still work, including the power seats an trunk motor. I'm actually very surprised by the reliability of this car. The only problem I have is an oil leak as well, but it's coming from the distributor oil seal that I need to get fixed.

the Fleetwood ride probably will never be matched unless one owns a 7-series Bimmer or S-class Benz. Nothing beats a full-size RWD Cadillac or Lincoln in terms of total comfort.


CircleW, that must have been a scary dilemma. I know if I had a son, and he did such a thing to the 64, I would make sure he will take the bus to school or work until he's 30 lol.


Post# 960759 , Reply# 229   10/5/2017 at 12:36 (2,366 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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the Fleetwood ride probably will never be matched unless one owns a 7-series Bimmer or S-class Benz. Nothing beats a full-size RWD Cadillac or Lincoln in terms of total comfort.

 

I'm not in the least bit familiar with the Fleetwood...but I am thinking that what I consider the "classic" American luxury car ride is probably gone, quite possibly never to return.

 

I certainly don't expect the Germans to ever be what Cadillac was. While I suppose luxury is the selling point to BMW 7 series and Mercedes S class, those cars come from Europe...and the engineering and heritage will probably reflect that. So the BMW will have nice ride...but that will be balanced with engineering that allows the car to effortlessly handle European roads (including the Autobahn). This is not, of course, a bad thing...just different way of designing a car. And different approaches have value--one local parts store employee once told me that the reason we have so many different car models is because one size does not fit all.

 

I have personally mixed feelings about the loss of classic American car luxury. It's not something I've ever really had, and I value handling. But as I get older, comfort is more appealing... I have even toyed with the idea of getting an American car with softer ride next time. Partly because prices are attractive here, partly just to experience the cars while they are still available as practical used cars. But the nature of my driving is mostly simple get me to the store and back...and anything longer is a highway drive. The scenic winding country road is not something I deal with very often, if ever. Comfort of ride--particularly for longer drives--might be nice... Interestingly, I knew a 20-something who had a 1980s VW GTI and her boyfriend had a VW Jetta. She once took a weekend trip, and she reported that she wished for most of the trip that she had her boyfriend's car, because it had a much better and quieter ride. Although the last miles were winding roads, and so the GTI was appreciated there.

 

 


Post# 960789 , Reply# 230   10/5/2017 at 13:57 (2,366 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        

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I'm glad to see there are people out there that appreciate big luxury cars like the Cadillac Fleetwood as classic and collectible. I enjoy following ebay vehicles to see if they sell and for how much. This 1990 Fleetwood coupe is one example. Cadillac chose not to make a 2-door model every year during the last years of the Fleetwood. This one is very nice. Interestingly, this car is in Pennsylvania but originally from St. Claire Cadillac in San Jose, a dealership I visited at least once a week when I was a teenager to check-out their used car lot. They had some nice stuff as did the Lincoln dealer across the street.

 

With a back seat like this, you could move in...


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Post# 960791 , Reply# 231   10/5/2017 at 14:09 (2,366 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
I promise to stop after this one...

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For those old-timers that can remember the original "Let's Make A Deal" this is fun. Change this to today and see what the winners' reactions would be, probably "what the heck to they expect me to do with that huge thing?" Those were big cars. Cadillacs, like a loaf of bread in the grocery store, got much smaller.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO twintubdexter's LINK

Post# 960798 , Reply# 232   10/5/2017 at 14:56 (2,366 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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I'm trying to get the feeling of a Chrysler 300 in my 200--and not even the 300 can recapture a down-sized 1982-to-1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue!!!!


-- Dave


Post# 960810 , Reply# 233   10/5/2017 at 15:34 (2,366 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
Have to agree that Caddy quality peaked around 1964...

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our across the street neighbor bought new '59, '64, '66 and '68 Cads (we moved after that year), and he was a fanatic in taking care of them. I'd go over and watch him, when at least once a week he'd carefully hand wash and chamois off everything, including the engine compartment, his cars always looked brand new, Chesapeake Cad always wanted those like-new trade-ins. The assembly, trim, interior brocade cloth and leather, paint and chrome quality and finish was just jewel-like on the '64 and even the gaudily-designed '59, while with the '66, and even more so, the increasingly plastic-y '68 (and they became far worse later on!) it was very clear that the famous Cadillac fit, finish, and materials were slipping.

From what I've heard the mid-late '80s were the pits, but the safety-ized mid '70s, with their huge over-hanging bumpers, wavy self-destructing plastic body filler panels and emmission-choked anemic 500 cu in (!) engines, while comfortable, were not at all fun to drive - we had a '75 Sedan DeVille that we drove to Montana and back, and it was, overall, a nice trip car but severely lacking power in the mountains and, at 11-12 mpg, gas stops were frequent! As '50s Cads would routinely make 17-18 mpg, progress it was not!


Post# 961042 , Reply# 234   10/7/2017 at 01:54 (2,364 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)        
Responces and Observations...

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"I will only like old cars, and old cars only. I don't like today's ugly, boarding, cheaply made cars. The cars that are made currently will not be on the road in 10 or 20 years from now, they will most likely be in the junk yard. New cars are made for obsolescence, while the old cars can be fixed easily and last forever!" -Maytag85

I respectfully disagree about your comments regarding how long new cars will last, I personally believe the date will be further out, more along the lines 25-30 years. Firstly, most cars from 2005 are still on the road and share a good amount of the tech used in today's cars. They are mostly rust free, even here in Michigan. I think modern cars will continue their stellar short term reliability until after a point it suddenly drops off. Being someone who dabbles in vintage electronics I know that certain components have a set lifespan that will eventually(despite best component choice and design) degrade until they fail. For example if you look at old radios, often the tubes are fine(they cannot degrade by design, they do wear with use, though), but the capacitors can and readily do(it has to do with the chemical composition degrading over time and heat stress). Take a look at what happens to old computers, hardware wise, they work flawlessly for a long period then suddenly fail. I predict the same will happen with modern cars in about 30 years as capacitors and other such components begin to fail and that the car restorers of 50 years from now will be those that can do board level repairs as such stocks of spare boards will have been, by that point, well depleted. You are right though, that eventually there will be less of today's cars in existence in 50 years than cars from 50 years ago, now, due to the hardships that will be involved in repairs once the electronics go, but for the short term(in this case average ownership of 15 years) modern cars from the mid 1990s and newer have already proven their superior reliability in that regard to older cars.

Also to your point of repair-ability and reliability, I actually own a 1975 Cadillac Sedan DeVille and daily drive it as my first car. I am currently 17 years old and have had it 2 years, I did all my permit driving with it too. It cost me $1750.00 to purchase, but in the course of said ownership, I have had over $5000.00 in repair bills. Almost everything that has failed on it has been something that cannot be repaired by the average backyard mechanic. Transmission failure, exhaust, front end alignment, to name a few. Plus I've been nickeled and dimed to death with smaller things, for example this blasted car hates alternators with a passion and has already gone through three. I like the way it drives and I love the styling, but I also concede that some modern cars are safer. I will not say all, due to the size and mass differences. No matter the engineering, with rudimentary safety features like seat belts and collapsible steering columns, I would place my bets on a 5000 pound 1970s lux-o-barge over a small 2500 pound modern car just because of the mass. I am stuck in a century that I wasn't born in(for example, I proceed to watch a 1960s RCA CTC-17XE chassis color set while most people I know don't even have a CRT set at all).

"Pat:

It's hard to tell from where we've been sitting, but my impression is that we've been dealing either with a person on the autism spectrum or a troller that posts "outrageous" statements just to see the commotion. There might be other choices too, but those are the two most likely to be true at this point.

I guess we will find out soon enough.

Cheers,
-- Paulo." -earthling177

Being autistic myself, I would tend to agree with the former, he doesn't seem a troll. I welcome his comments and presence on this forum, we all give and take in useful information here and I wish for him to know that we aren't out to simply disagree with you, we are merely sharing what we know and you thusly. I wish for you to continue to appreciate, as I do, the vast human resource of knowledgeable people at this fine forum who tirelessly share important bits of history and information that they have learned over many years of experience and the rest of the world took no caring to and/or forgot about.

If you ever wish to contact me, Sean, My email address is richard_j_jolly@outlook.com.


Post# 961047 , Reply# 235   10/7/2017 at 02:40 (2,364 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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There are good things about newer cars, but I don't like the styling of newer cars. It seems like things in general had more style back then, and flare.

Post# 961092 , Reply# 236   10/7/2017 at 09:09 (2,364 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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No, really, I don't like the styling of new cars either, but imagine if not coming with things like cruise controls, air conditioners, power windows and locks, power seats, even a tilt steering wheel and other accessories, all standard, and all due to demand for those things!

Yes, NEW for me, and able to get rid of via lease, when I'm tired of the package all that are in...


-- Dave


Post# 961109 , Reply# 237   10/7/2017 at 11:26 (2,364 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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It seem like cars haven't changed all that much in terms of styling, and it seems like cars have changed very little since 2013. Most cars look just like last years' model, and things they claim to be "new" are not really "new" since it the same as last years' model.

Post# 961224 , Reply# 238   10/7/2017 at 20:22 (2,363 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
must have been a bad batch of popcorn...

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Some old cars waiting for the double feature to start. The Salton Sea is not all that far from the Palm Springs area. Occasionally the summer breeze brings the fragrance of algae and thousands of rotting fish to my back yard. Let's move the picnic indoors.

 



CLICK HERE TO GO TO twintubdexter's LINK

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Post# 962921 , Reply# 239   10/16/2017 at 18:38 (2,354 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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I want my Hardtop--my FOUR-DOOR Hardtop!



-- Dave


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Post# 962945 , Reply# 240   10/16/2017 at 23:17 (2,354 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
car love

I keep reading in various sources that young people, particularly millenials, are bypassing car ownership these days. Obviously, that's only in areas where there is alternative means of getting about, but I do think that the love affair Americans have with cars is ending. I won't go into how boring or look-alike or motivated by ever-more electronic toys--you all know that anyway.

You know what I don't understand? Why have people willingly given up color choices? I went to the Benz website recently to check out their sedans and there are only a few colors there, mostly variations of silver and brown. We generally have only a few choices of interior colors: Mouse-fur gray, mouse-fur brown, gray/black or some approximation of beige. Where are the blues, the greens, the reds?

Eddie, I owned the '66 LeMans version of your '67 Skylark. It was amazing to drive, that same 2-speed auto, the Pontiac 326 instead of the Buick 340. It was just the right size. I owned a '72 Buick Skylark convertible, the last year, in a deep green with matching interior and white top. I sure with I had it back!

It used to be typical for Cadillac, for example, to offer 10-20 upholstery colors and combinations even on the DeVilles. These creepy little Cadillacs now look like something a high school kid drew in study hall. That, or ugly 'sport' utilities that are disguised Chevy suburbans.

I like the safety of my modern car. But gone are the days when we used to eagerly take a Saturday and go hit all the local car dealers to look at the new models every fall.


Post# 962948 , Reply# 241   10/16/2017 at 23:48 (2,354 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Limited color choices are not a new thing. There was, of course, that line about the Model T: "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black."

 

Past that, though, it seems like color choices have been limited for years. I don't recall any car I knew much about since the 1980s that had more than a small selection of color choices. It's always amazed me seeing lists of colors for 1960s US cars which were longer and had more variety than the case in recent history.

 

I have wondered if part of the limited choices isn't a move to make things easier for the car maker, particularly one assembling a car across the world. Limited colors mean fewer variations for the car maker to deal with.


Post# 962949 , Reply# 242   10/16/2017 at 23:52 (2,354 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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It seems like a lot of millienials lease cars, instead of owning a car. I may have been born in 1999, wich makes me a millienial, but I have like the style of vintage cars. It almost seems like I was born in the wrong generation. My first car is a 1986 Chevy Camaro Z28, and I plan on keeping that car for as long as I can. All millienials care about, is having all the electronic crap that you don't need in a car, and they complain about how older cars don't have a lot of technology. Millienials are spoiled, and they think they are entitled to have everything. I can go on and on on why I don't like my generation!

Post# 962951 , Reply# 243   10/17/2017 at 00:14 (2,354 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

Being an industrial designer and working with destructive tests so many years, I definitely prefer newer cars because of safety.Some models are interesting, because the little Philippe Starck near me loves "weird" looking cars.

I am probably the only person in the world that loves the cosmetic design in some Citroen, Renaults, Nissan Juke, Fiat 500, Mini, Ford Ka, Fiat Mobi, Fiat Panoramica (considered the ugliest car ever made)

On the other hand i hate some american designs like the 90's Ford Taurus (upside down soup plate) and Ford Escort (absolutely nothing to do with the European/Brazilian Escort)

I loved the design on Chevrolet HHR and SSR, but i owned a HHR and it was the worst crap I've ever had. When i bought it brand new, the driver window wasn't working. Think of leaving the dealer with a brand new car that was already "fixed". Anyway, the next day i left the dealer with my brand new car with the fixed window and before the first block there was a speet bump and the window simply fell. 5 minutes after leaving the dealer "with my brand new car that already had a window fixed", i was back to the dealer with "a brand new car that had the windows fixed but it broke and the car was full of glass everywhere" Add to that 23 visits to the dealer, a total of 4.5 months driving a lender car out of the 6 months I owned that crap. People was already thinking i worked at the Chevrolet dealer because i was there "clocking in" almost every day. Until I threatened to sue the dealer and they accepted the return and refunded me the money. Chevrolet never again in my life.

I am the kind of 8 or 80 guy. I love cars that are tiny (like the Smart, Mini or Ford Ka) or huge cars, like the Ford Expedition I dream about having someday.


And even loving strange looking designs, please, don't ever remind me that Chrysler car which name that has two letters should never be mentioned. If I could I would beat the designers that created the PT cruiser with "Havainanas" sandals.

Oh, and I also love the "old" new beetle. But i didn't fall in love with the "new" new beetle design.


If i would drive a classic car? like 1950s, 60s or 70s, no f-word present continuous way! As Ralph Nader said once, they're unsafe at any speed! My husband's life and my life are much more important than style. Some models are amazingly beautiful, but they all are designed to keep the car nearly intact but full of dead bodies in a crash.


Post# 963647 , Reply# 244   10/21/2017 at 10:32 (2,350 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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Where I once thought "a great a car is not complete without a power seat", I have gone to abhor the thing--it's slow to move, and while I've gotten used to my wife needing it forward (she is real short) I really dislike the thing being up above the floor, so I have to wait during that power adjustment for it to come down...

I miss the days of a manual seat (which her car has--but the Chevy Cruz puts the latch way under the side closest to the console, so you have to be sitting in it, because it's so hard to reach, but I need to move the seat first just to get in!)...

I've seen power seats in cars, of which the people who drove, that probably don't need them (one couple I knew had one, but only "he" was the only driver, until "she" learned, got her license, then wrecked their car, hence afterwards, gave up driving, and retired from work, so then she no longer needed a car, all the while there was a difference in height, but her reason for driving became when "he" fell into ill health and then died)...

Now, a CRUISE CONTROL! --That is something cars old and new NEED to have--I see old cars that often have everything but THEM (surprisingly my wife's Cruz, a NEW car doesn't') and maybe a sun/moonroof, and to me, that can make a car relatively underivable (I wonder how you can enjoy driving something even that vintage without!)... So I hate driving my wife's for that reason...



-- Dave


Post# 963648 , Reply# 245   10/21/2017 at 10:36 (2,350 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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And yes, one other thing about power seats: Even the reclining is done for you--I have to do my non-driving reclining there, in the fully non-powered passenger seat of my Chrysler 200, or enjoy it in either driver or passenger side of my wife's Cruz; only good thing about her car, perfect to recline-relax in...

Also what's with the need for lumbar support? Seems as though that shows up in a lot of new cars, though sometimes I welcome the back-rake adjustment, though new cars are just as obsessed w/ height adjustment on their seats, too (see my pre. post)...



-- Dave


Post# 963679 , Reply# 246   10/21/2017 at 14:21 (2,350 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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Have a bad back and you'll apprectiate that lumbar support..  I had  it in my 84 Volvo.  My Forester also has it thankfully, and it's powered.  However, rarely does anyone drive my car so the drivers seat is seldom moved. It's also got a giant sunroof which I seldom open.. I can live without a sunroof.  The must haves for me were power windows , locks and air conditioning.. pretty much standard today.  I really really really like the adaptive cruise control on the Subaru.. it's well worth it. I only wished it had the rain sensing wipers that my little Mazda had.. 


Post# 963688 , Reply# 247   10/21/2017 at 15:58 (2,349 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
One of the most beautiful cars I ever got to drve

Was a 1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham, White, with a red vinyl top, White leather seats, red dash, carpet and door panels, and every button in the book, it was the most comfortable thing I ever sat down in and the best riding too, You absolutely didn't feel anything , WONDERFUL!A good friend was a mechanic and several times I got to take cars back to there owners and this was one of them, I also got to drive a 55 Desoto Fireflite Sportsman with factory air,and several other great cars, The Desoto was a local doctors car that he drove from 55 until the 90s when he quit driving, It had EVERY option that Chrysler offered, he also had a 64 Imperial and a 78 New Yorker like the white one but his was burgundy inside and out, New stuff is so boring..LOL

Post# 963742 , Reply# 248   10/21/2017 at 21:41 (2,349 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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My friend Dennis had a new 75 NY Brougham coupe  back in the day (all black exterior and leather interior) . It was gorgeous. 


Post# 963754 , Reply# 249   10/21/2017 at 23:04 (2,349 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        
Cruise control

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has never been an item on my "must have" list. A relative commented that once I had it I'd find it indispensable or something like that. Maybe if I ever had it. (Most of my cars were too low end to have cruise control. The last two cars' cruise control systems were broken.) But I look at the nature of the traffic where I live, and think cruise control is pointless. There is no set it on 60, and zoom for hours and hours with no interruption here... And I don't take road trips to places where traffic moves better.

 

 


Post# 963760 , Reply# 250   10/21/2017 at 23:15 (2,349 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

The only time I get to use cruise control anymore is in the western states. So I find it mostly useless. What I DO find useful would be adaptive cruise control, that I could use all day long on the expressways around here.

Post# 963926 , Reply# 251   10/22/2017 at 19:57 (2,348 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

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All of my cars have had cruise control and I couldn't do without it. I use it every time I am in the car. The cruise control on my Lincoln MKC can be set to be either adaptive or regular. I like the adaptive cruise control but I find that the gap it leaves with the car in front is too big even when I have it set at the closest setting....in very heavy traffic, other cars are always cutting in front which just causes my car to slow down even more....very annoying to me. I usually end up putting my foot on the accelerator thereby overriding the adaptive cruise control, so that I can lessen the gap.

Gary


Post# 963930 , Reply# 252   10/22/2017 at 20:42 (2,348 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

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I like vehicles that are old enough so I don't have to deal with depreciation so I never had a car that was less then 10 years old. Currently, I don't have a vehicle that's even close to be just 10 years old! I never sold a vehicle for less than I bought it. I did give away a few to friends but I won't count that as I didn't sell these!

I used to drive my 1960s cars daily but the first one I got back in October of 1992 (a few months before I was old enough to drive!) was the same age as my current daily driver which is a 1993 Toyota. And with over 239,000 miles, my Toyota has more than twice the mileage that any of my 1960s and 1970s cars ever had.

There are more safety features in my 1975 Buick Electra than there are in my 1993 Toyota pickup but I can't afford to drive the old Buicks daily so I mostly drive my newer vehicles with less safety features!

I still have my 1965 Wildcat and 1967 Riviera taking most of the space in my garage (along with another 1966 GM product, I'll let you guess what it is as it's visible on the picture below!) so I have to leave my drivers outside and my Electra is stored in my appliance storage.


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Post# 963935 , Reply# 253   10/22/2017 at 21:17 (2,348 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
More safety-features on that '75 Buick? Well, I bet it's not those frameless panes of glass... --Nor the lack of pillars between those four doors, but like I said, I want my hard-top, four-doors, and all!

No roll-bar, either...



-- Dave


Post# 963944 , Reply# 254   10/22/2017 at 22:05 (2,348 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
Dave, It does have 5 mph bumpers that all cars had back then, door beams and dual stage air bags with more advanced technology than most late 1990s cars had (and certainly better than my current 1993 Toyota pickup that doesn't even have a driver side airbag!).

I was in an accident with a strong side impact with my former 1968 Buick 4 door hardtop and while the car wasn't fixable, the side glass shattered and the rear door, the roof and quarter panel were seriously bent but the center post didn't even move and the front door still opened and closed perfectly. I wasn't so lucky with another similar 1993 Toyota that I had (but this time, it was a frontal collision)

This link below shows pictures of 1970s GM cars with airbags. I also added a few from my car. Fortunately, I didn't have to test them yet but apparently, they did save a few lives. I uploaded the pictures from the pickup in which I had an accident that left me with a few problems and pictures of 1970s cars with similar or worse frontal collisions in which their owners were apparently saved by the airbags.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO PhilR's LINK


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Post# 963959 , Reply# 255   10/23/2017 at 02:05 (2,348 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
OK, Phil... I read everything, and I believe I'd seen some other photo's of your '75 Buick & probably recalling it having those airbags...

Surely there could have been more of those GM cars ordered with 'em, but buyers weren't willing to sacrifice the traditional instrument panel layout, and I wouldn't have been either...

I see the armrest-stealing passenger seat, too! (I like the dual-armrests that GM briefly experimented with, putting them in the '77-'78 models more frequently, if not pushing the d'Elegance (Cadillac) models that featured them standard (the '79's, onward, had the not-so-attractive, to me, seating pattern and back to the traditional-GM split-front seat) & encouraged a number of owners to get... (I would have!)



-- Dave


Post# 963972 , Reply# 256   10/23/2017 at 07:07 (2,348 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Those old 70's

land yachts were tanks, wether they were colonade coupes, sedans or hard tops.
They did however lack crumple zones to absorb impact. The other main draw back was fuel economy.
If the frame wasn't bent in a collision, a new front dog house could be put on, negating the vehicle being totaled if it was new enough. Minor frame distortions were often straightened. The 5 mph bumper often survived unscaved as the car nose dived upon braking, and or retracted back on it's hydraulic mounts. If not, a hole was drilled into the side of the shock absorber, and pressure relieved, an a new one installed.
If you were belted in, with both lap and shoulder belts, chances of injury were greatly decreased as you had so much more space inside, and more bulk around the vehicle. Even without air bags. Today, they are detrimental because of the lack of room and heft. Even then some kill you.
My sister was broadsided in a '76 Pontiac Catalina by a '79 Cadillac going 35 mph in the right front wheel. Spun her around 90 degrees, but she was not hurt. The wheel was crooked, the hood raised up 3 feet sideways. It was a total loss because it happened in the 80's. That was a near mint car too. She bought it from an older neighbor. Only had 76,000 miles on it.


Post# 963975 , Reply# 257   10/23/2017 at 07:19 (2,348 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
New vs Old

I adore cars, have my whole life. I was born in '55, my parents had a TOL '54 Pontiac Star Chief coupe, last year of the straight eight, and with built-in A/C! I've owned a bunch of vintage cars myself.

However, we shouldn't let nostalgia color our views too much. My parents always bought the best tires available on their cars--and we still had flats. Those old engines did well if you got 10K on plugs, and of course points, generator brushes, valves if not hydraulic, and so on.

I drive a 2004 Corolla now in my retirement. Having had a number of company cars, it's lived its life in my garage. The amazing thing to me is that it's never had a single fault to require going to the dealer! None. Who knows, I may drive this little jewel until I die. No reason to change right now, anyway.

My first new car was a 1974 red Super Beetle with sunroof. Within a couple of months of getting it, I had a set of VDO gauges in a module installed on the dash at the dealership. By the time it was a year old it had started pegging the voltmeter and boiling battery acid out; those of my age group know that the battery sat under the back seat. All the expected parts and components were replaced more than once, still did it in no perceptible pattern. I learned that by keeping an umbrella across the floorboard in the back, I could whack the seat frame while driving and at times it'd go back down. And no, grounding wasn't the issue, we went through all that. It was still doing that at times by the time I traded it in, in 1977. We didn't have a 'lemon law' then or I'd have gotten redress.

Whenever my parents would buy a new car in the sixties and into the seventies, it was my job when they got it home, to go over the new car and write down all the defects and stuff that needed tightening or adjusting. There was always a legal pad's page of things. These days? The last 3 new cars I've bought haven't really needed anything.



Post# 964020 , Reply# 258   10/23/2017 at 13:09 (2,348 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        
but buyers weren't willing to sacrifice the traditional

iheartmaytag's profile picture
GM built 10,000 ACRS (Air Cushion Restraint System) Air-bag equipped cars from 1973-1976. Most were in the Cadillac and Oldsmobile models some migrated to the Buick line.

More weren't ordered, because they weren't offered as a line item to order. They were a test fleet to see how ACRS operated in the real world. GM said they should have sold the air-bags and given away the cars as they lost approximately $10,000 on each vehicle equipped.

Soon after their release air-bag collision stories began to appear. In most cases they were all positive. Though fought by the auto industry, where most opted for the less expensive passive seat belts that could easily be overridden, and were not as effective; Chrysler Chairman Lee A. Iacocca decided to begin equipping certain vehicles in 1989, and their entire fleet in 1990 with driver side air bags. Then the two 1989 Chrysler LeBarons crashed head-on in Culpepper, Virginia In April 1990. National news picked up the story, the cars were purchased by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS. This crash is one of the most analyzed car crashes in history as it was the first to involve two air bag equipped vehicles.

After that it started to become a war as to who could put their air bags in when. Of course GM held out until 1994 when they were forced to have at least driver side air bags as the automatic belts were not meeting the mandates any longer.

All of this, a fight that Ralph Nader fought for many decades. Today it is not uncommon to see cars with six, eight, 10 air bags. Including side curtain, roll over and knee protection.




This post was last edited 10/23/2017 at 13:34
Post# 964030 , Reply# 259   10/23/2017 at 16:04 (2,347 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Some would say

too many government controls, but Ralph Nader was a huge advocate for vehicle safety.
Iv'e watched those old crash test video's. There is no compromise for the modern safety cage of a vehicle which stays in tact in a crash.
Foot well intrusion braking feet and legs, A pillar deformation causing concussions and skull fractures, old non collapsing steering columns and wheels, etc. The deadly T-Bone side collision where the head hits the B or C pillar, all improved with side and curtain air bags.
I'd never drive an antique classic as a daily driver anyway.


Post# 964045 , Reply# 260   10/23/2017 at 18:05 (2,347 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
Harley,
The 1973 Chevrolet Impala 4 door sedans that were equipped with the Air Cushion Restraint System (and a 1973 Oldsmobile dashboard to accommodate them) were part of the test fleet that was eventually sold to the public through Chevy dealerships in 1975 after they were retrofitted with lap belts like regular production cars that GM sold with this option (see the 5 first pictures I uploaded in this post for more details).

The Buick, Olds and Cadillac cars that had airbags were regular production cars that came with standard lap belts from the beginning. The option became available a few months after the beginning of the 1974 production in November-December of 1974. The NHTSA still collected data on these cars if they were involved in an accident but they were still regular production cars. Here's a link that shows the sticker in my car's glovebox. When I got it in November of 2001, the phone number had been reused for the National Terrorist Hotline. I tried to call as I had a concern about the warning light coming on sometimes and my GM dealer was clueless about what to do with that light or how to service that system! I managed to fix it by myself and to buy some spare parts and test equipment... www.flickr.com/photos/504...

I've seen what seems to be an even distribution of cars equipped with airbags in the full size Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac lines for the 3 years it was available but much less 1976 models of each brand with this option, it was a low volume option as less than 1% of cars had it but dealers or customers could order it under the option code AR4.

The highest volume model with airbags was the 1973 Chevrolet Impala 4 door sedans that were the experimental cars.

Buick had to redesign it's the passenger part of it's otherwise carried over 1973 dashboard for 1974 models and move the glove box to the upper part of the instrument panel to accommodate the passenger airbags (pictures 6-7), the 1975 models followed with a completely redesigned dashboard (pics 8-9-10) that also had it's glove box up.

Olds had a completely redesigned instrument panel for 1974 (11-12) but I guess it wasn't for that purpose as there were many test vehicles including early 1970s Olds and the 1973 Chevy fleet that had a a 1973 Olds dashboard that had airbags. Cadillac also had a brand new dashboard for 1974 but they didn't bother moving the glove box up so cars equipped with airbags had to be fitted with a small lockable compartment under the dashboard to fit the power trunk button and to store small items (pictures 13-14).



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Post# 964051 , Reply# 261   10/23/2017 at 18:42 (2,347 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Definitely where necessity was the mother of invention! That OLDS dash in a Chevy?! I wouldn't have thought of such a drastic measure, even for safety...--Just made something more "Chevrolet", rather than borrow...

As for the Cadillac, I can see an influence on Chrysler putting their glove box under the dash the way Cadillac did, only making me wonder of the "planned likelihood" of ever utilizing airbags, there; those big-bodied Chrysler models from 1974-1978 had a busy dash w/ everything center-mounted, there...



-- Dave


Post# 964127 , Reply# 262   10/24/2017 at 08:44 (2,347 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

iheartmaytag's profile picture
The 1,000 1973 Chevrolets were part of the test fleet on Government lease. They were retrofitted with lap/shoulder belts once they came off lease in order to qualify for sale to the public. GM has a history of using lease vehicles as their test fleets, as they remain the true owner of the vehicle and thus have control of it's disposal. Remember the first electric vehicles tested in California, when GM pulled them out of lease they were all ordered destroyed.

The 10,000 public test fleet (real world testing) were Cadiallacs and Oldsmobiles, however, Ford beat GM to the market by building an experimental test fleet in 1971. I found very little on their data, but I assumed they were their large cars the LTD, Marquis, and Lincolns.

The History of Airbags:

"In 1971, the Ford car company built an experimental airbag fleet. General Motors tested airbags on the 1973 model Chevrolet automobile that was only sold for government use. 1973, Oldsmobile Toronado was the first car with a passenger airbag intended for sale to the public.

General Motors later offered an option to the general public of driver side airbags in full-sized Oldsmobile's and Buick's in 1975 and 1976 respectively. Cadillacs were available with driver and passenger airbags options during those same years."


Post# 964140 , Reply# 263   10/24/2017 at 11:25 (2,347 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
The first Buick with airbags was a 1974 Electra built in December of 1973, just two weeks after the first Oldsmobile was made with this option.

I have parted out one 1974 Electra to keep the airbags, the computer/recorder and the sensors, the 1974 Buick has a different passenger side module as the shape of the dashboards changed but the rest of the parts are the same as on my 1975 Electra.

I don't know where you got the information you quoted that Cadillac and Olds were part of a public test fleet and that Buick and Olds had driver side airbag only and that it was available much later on Buick models but I can tell you it's not the case! The ACRS option was available starting in late 1973 on 1974 Buick LeSabre, Electra 225 and Riviera models as well as on the Olds 88, 98 and Toronado and most Cadillac models. Convertibles and wagons as well as long wheelbase models were not available with ACRS and cars had to be ordered with air conditioning to have airbags too. ALL cars with ACRS had a driver AND a passenger side airbag. My car has that too and so did the 1974 Electra that I parted out.

Cars with a standard tilt steering or tilt-telescopic steering had a credit for these features that had to be deleted with the ACRS (the 1974-76 Buick Riviera had standard tilt steering and the 1975 Buick Park Avenue Deluxe had standard tilt-telescope) it was cheaper to order airbags on these cars than on other models that offered these features as extra-cost.

Ford did experiments with airbags in the early seventies and some Allstate ads showed these experimental Ford cars and GM did too, even earlier than that.
The picture below shows a 1969 Pontiac Bonneville coupe equipped with a passenger side airbag, note that it's located on the upper part of the instrument panel unlike the 1973-76 models that were equipped with the ACRS.


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Post# 964143 , Reply# 264   10/24/2017 at 11:41 (2,347 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
Here are the Allstate ads showing some Ford and GM cars. The third picture shows a 1974 Buick Electra production car.

And the spare parts I got from another 1974 Electra including the passenger side module that's a bit different from the 1975-76 module because of the 1975 Buick dashboard redesign in the pictures 5 to 10.


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Post# 964149 , Reply# 265   10/24/2017 at 13:52 (2,347 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        
I don't know where you got the information you quoted

iheartmaytag's profile picture
"In 1973, GM’s Oldsmobile Toronado became the first car ever with a passenger airbag. Later on, GM made its own air cushion restraint system (ACRS) available as an option for regular production cars such as Cadillacs, Oldsmobile and Buick models during 1974. They made cars equipped with ACRS on the driver side, driver-side knee restraint, and the passenger side. The passenger side airbag protects front passengers, and also included a dual stage deployment, which depended on the force of impact."

www.thoughtco.com/history...
www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2...
secondchancegarage.com/public/his...
www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entr...


Then there are all the magazines, and articles I have read since I was about 12. One in Particular Popular Science, I believe it was March 1977 which mentioned the the fleet.
There are more references, but I can't quite produce the bibliography at this time.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Iheartmaytag's LINK


Post# 964291 , Reply# 266   10/25/2017 at 16:05 (2,345 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
Re: Post# 955100, Reply# 79--

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
I thought the downsizing GM gave those full-sized cars was at-least passable in '77--and imagine my surprise, that these weren't the EIGHTIES (as I used to think the '75's w/ the introduction of rectangular headlamps would have been from that era)...!

Ford seemed to have done the same thing a couple years later (1979) as did Chrysler (although late to the PILLARED-Hardtop Party) just for Chrysler to really lag & sag in sales...

I don't anything by Ford has really impressed me since the late-'60's--the '70's stuff other than an occasional Mark IV has never been anything I would have bought "back then" right down to having a whole coral of stuff made by Chrysler and GM... (TWO-BARREL CARBS on all their V-8's, except for FOUR- on the Thirsty Three-Sixty!)

General Motors could not have possibly been expected to keep their stuff in low-slung hardtops past '76 (& even there was too long-overdue for a change) but I can't warm up to the death of the Colonnade meaning I'm put-off by the 'shrinking mid-sized '78's'... The compacts like the Nova and its ilk lasted until 1980, then came the prop-rod hood front-wheel-drive of the Citation and its stablemates, and automakers of 'everything no-longer RWD' on the rampage... --The transmission (on FWD Chrysler products) even got termed Transaxle... (Remember?)



-- Dave


Post# 964309 , Reply# 267   10/25/2017 at 19:46 (2,345 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

cadman's profile picture
And don't forget one of the big incentives of ordering the GM ACRS package....no government mandated starter interlock system.

Phil's comments are correct, there was never a test fleet with Buicks or Cads, only the original Chevrolets. Next time you catch a Seinfeld rerun with Kramer's car, look closely. It's one of the test vehicles(!)


Post# 964310 , Reply# 268   10/25/2017 at 20:33 (2,345 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
wrist twist steering

I was in sixth grade when Ford/Mercury came out with Wrist-Twist Steering. I can remember it being all the car mags. There was actually serious talk of it being an option in either '67 or '68! The column didn't turn at all, only the small wheels. Can you imagine a wreck, and your thumbs happened to be in those little rings? There's a 2-min YouTube video on it.

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Post# 964328 , Reply# 269   10/26/2017 at 00:41 (2,345 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
Harley,

There is a lot of misinformation about the early air bag cars, a few years ago, Mercedes Benz even made a press release in which where they bragged about being the first automaker to offer air bags back in 1980 and their lie was also widely repeated in many publications.

I've been fascinated by these since I was a kid and I read a lot of things about them and collected pictures and documentation about GM's early Air Cushion Restraint System. I wanted to buy a 1975 Buick Electra Park Avenue that had this option when I was 14 but I was never able to as the owner had promised to sell me the car when he'd be ready to replace it but then he told me that the car was damaged while parked at a shopping mall by someone who had an heart attack and the owner sent it to the junkyard assuming I wouldn't want it in that condition.

I searched for years before I had internet access for full size GM cars in Auto Trader and other publications and I called every time I couldn't see shoulder belts on the small black and white pictures in those publications. That's how I got my current 1975 Electra many years ago and I still have it. Some of the articles you cited used a picture of my 1975 Electra, a picture I uploaded on Wikipedia years ago back when you couldn't find much information about the ACRS.

The articles in the links you cited show quite a few errors. First, the fleet of 1973 Chevrolets with ACRS did have both driver side and passenger side air bags. The passenger airbag was for both the center and right passenger and also included an inflatable knee restraint. On the driver side, the air bag was mounted in the steering wheel and the lower part of the dashboard was padded instead of being made of metal or hard plastic. Those cars originally lacked front seat belts but they were added in 1975 when the cars were sold to the public.

About the exact date when the first cars with airbags, as a factory equipment available for the public, here'a quote from this book:
The Buick: a complete history - Page 301
Terry B. Dunham, ‎Lawrence R. Gustin - 1980

"... On December 6th, 1973, a blue Electra Limited rolled off the line at Factory 4 in Flint with the first Buick air bag. An Olds Toronado had been produced with the device the previous week. Air bags were expensive and controversial. ... years, little promotion and few sales, they were dropped, though in the early 1980's there would be renewed pressure for the feature."

I assume most of this information is correct but note that it states "the first Buick air bag" rather than "air bags" which can create some confusion about having just a driver-side air bag or both driver and passenger airbags. I can confirm you that it was air bags for both the driver and front passengers, even in early production and in the previous experimental models...

GM dealerships had to train their employees to service cars with air bags, a friend of mine used to work in a body shop back in the 1970s and he remembers having the training and a few weird procedures explained. One of them that I also saw in a few service booklets was to burn the passenger side module in a 45 gallon drum if it was deployed as it could still contain another charge if it deployed in a low speed impact! They also suggested to disconnect battery cables and tape their ends when working on these cars to avoid accidental deployment!

I have to say I didn't tape the battery cables when I removed the driver module in my car to fix a sticking horn contact that blew the 4 note horn at night when the car was parked. I first thought it was a train horn, then I noticed it was too loud and too long, by the time I got out of bed and got the tools to disconnect the battery, two of the horns were already burned and there was just one still making noise when I finally removed the battery cable. Luckily, I had some spares as the two optional ones can be hard to get. Here are a few pictures I took when I removed the driver module to fix the contacts.


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Post# 964365 , Reply# 270   10/26/2017 at 08:48 (2,345 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
twist wrist?

Gimmicks at the auto shows attracted buyers to the show rooms. I'd rather steer a car with a tiller handle.

Driving frustrates me these days anyway. The other day an older man kept along side of me and kept leering over at me. I passed him, and he passed me. When I got to the round about, there he was again.
Then almost every younger driver I saw that morning was looking down at their phones while moving along, pokingly.


Post# 964370 , Reply# 271   10/26/2017 at 08:57 (2,345 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

I see that here all the time on I65 going into Nashville.  Some states are issuing E-DUI's.....driving under the influence of electronic devices!  Traffic in Nashville has gotten so much worse in the last 5 years due to growing so much so fast.  And now with the days being shorter it's 10x worse since people here can't drive in the dark...or rain...or snow...or sunshine!



CLICK HERE TO GO TO askolover's LINK

Post# 964407 , Reply# 272   10/26/2017 at 15:07 (2,345 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        
Some states are issuing E-DUI's

lordkenmore's profile picture

WA has such a law, although I haven't heard it called "E-DUI." It seems like the label is something like "distracted driving." If police see someone holding a cell phone, they can pull that someone over and issue a ticket. However, one can still use a phone if it's on a dashboard mount. I suppose there are some who'd argue this is necessary, since the phone may be needed for displaying a map, but I can unfortunately imagine a scenario where someone has the phone on a dashboard mount, and uses it to watch YouTube videos while driving...


Post# 964410 , Reply# 273   10/26/2017 at 16:20 (2,344 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture

Ontario has distracted driving laws now as well.. Something like $400 and 3 points/demerits on your license..  

It encompasses all electronic devices whether it's a phone, gps or whatever.. if it's in your hand , even if it's not turned on, doesn't matter.. No handheld devices unless the vehicle is parked or it's an emergency.  Even so you still see idiots driving around with a phone to their ear.. or obviosly looking down and texting.  I wish they would increase the fine. $400 isn't enough.. it should be more like $2000 plus points. 


Post# 964416 , Reply# 274   10/26/2017 at 17:06 (2,344 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Overhere in te NL they are talking now about making it possible to send someone to jail for using a phone when driving. I can't say I'm against it!

Post# 964425 , Reply# 275   10/26/2017 at 18:23 (2,344 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Against the law in this state to use a handheld device for anything while driving. But do they still do it, yes. Wished they would get caught and severely punished. Too many innocent people are hurt by their negligence. Put the stupid phone down and concentrate on your driving, not social media for that short while.

Post# 964439 , Reply# 276   10/26/2017 at 21:23 (2,344 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

iheartmaytag's profile picture
Had a friend several weeks ago was hit in an intersection. Young girl was texting, and ran the red light. My friend is OK, just bruised. Totalled her new Accord with 8,000 miles on it.

Post# 964441 , Reply# 277   10/26/2017 at 21:40 (2,344 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

iheartmaytag's profile picture
Had a friend several weeks ago was hit in an intersection. Young girl was texting, and ran the red light. My friend is OK, just bruised. Totalled her new Accord with 8,000 miles on it.

These pictures are a co-workers's daughter's car that happened this last Saturday. She ran off the road, over corrected, went through a ditch, took out a fence, was airborne twice one for 55 feet, and once for 150 feet. Somewhere during the flight she rolled six times. God himself had hold if her seatbelt. She messed up her knee, but was able to release her seatbelt while hanging upsidedown, crawl out of the car, and drag,crawl a half mile for help. After all that action,she couldn't find her phone.


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Post# 964473 , Reply# 278   10/27/2017 at 06:05 (2,344 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
What I'd feared one time my car would like like--I chased after the driver that ran thorough an intersection in my neighborhood right to his house, to see him in the driveway tapping on his (holding it horizontally) phone, which is what he might'a been doing at that time, citing--no, SHOUTING--after he'd rolled the window down: "You almost hit THAT CAR and you almost KILLED ME!" at him, just to get an "I'm sorry...", and me, on my way to work, just trying to be calmly, saying "You better be..."



-- Dave


Post# 964491 , Reply# 279   10/27/2017 at 07:41 (2,344 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
cell phone driving

It'd be quite simple to be able to block cell phone signals in a car, but Americans wouldn't stand for it. They prefer to whine about it. Or, there could easily be a provision where a cell phone could be used in a car, but the only number available for calling would be '911'.

But again, as with so many other aspects of our lives, we like to complain and point the fingers at others--until we do it ourselves! The ability to rationalize is so universal...


Post# 964582 , Reply# 280   10/27/2017 at 20:46 (2,343 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
OK, the CLUNK those controls made--I remember hearing every knob, switch and lever used to heat, wipe the windshield, wash the windshield, change gears, (& maybe in someone else's car) control the air conditioning, right in the back seat from up front, those controls the driver & front passenger, or passenger-S used sounded so neat...

The sound of something working, made & installed by by SOMEONE working!


-- Dave


Post# 967808 , Reply# 281   11/13/2017 at 21:32 (2,326 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
The REMOTE CONTROL is both the BEST and WORST thing that has happened to cars--I love my remote START & especially the way I can wrap my hand around the driver-side-front door handle & the door unlocks (then there's that button that locks it) but what I mean by worst, is I have too use that tactile entry & push-button exterior door handle lock, because I believe the battery (after JUST TWO YEARS?!) I think is worn out...



-- Dave


Post# 967879 , Reply# 282   11/14/2017 at 08:27 (2,326 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
'remote start"

Some are better than others. Aftermarket electronics can be finicky. GM doesn't recommend them. Of course the trademark GM check engine light after 60,000 miles or so renders it inoperable also.
My neighbor got an aftermarket one from Mickey Shore for her leased Jeep which is a year old and already not working.
We keep our cars garaged so never use it.
Last year, that Russo guy in Roseville was warming up his older 1993 car in his drive and the police ticketed him. He fought it and lost. It was below zero out. The officer wrote the ticket because a child could have entered the unlocked car and injured their self and others. A kid outside below zero wandering around?


Post# 967892 , Reply# 283   11/14/2017 at 09:25 (2,326 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture

The hubbys Forester remote start locks the car.. to activate it you press and hold the lock button and when you do open the car to get in, it shuts off.. . I guess so if someone did get in  they couldn't drive off. 


Post# 967992 , Reply# 284   11/14/2017 at 22:20 (2,325 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
I've read the best deal in cars is to look for a leased one that has just come off lease. Some leasees like to lease cars and then change them out every year or two. Barring that, most new cars lose a significant amount of value as soon as you drive it off the new car log. Buy one that is a year or more old, and passes inspection, and you've saved yourself the headaches of most initial quality problems, and you've probably saved $thousands.

Or so I've read. Never tried it myself, except for a '97 Dodge Neon I bought off a car rental thingie when it was about a year old. I probably wouldn't buy a used entry level car again. They may be built to a price point, as the Neon was, and aside from some Asian numbers, they have cheaper components and are more or less guaranteed to self-destruct before a higher level car might. Just sayin'.


Post# 968034 , Reply# 285   11/15/2017 at 04:28 (2,325 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

We usually buy lease returns.  Still under factory warranty, some certified pre-owned with longer warranties.  Save a fortune that way.


Post# 968084 , Reply# 286   11/15/2017 at 10:42 (2,325 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Absolutely the wisest

"buying" decision is a low mileage off lease, or a certified one owner vehicle.
Dealers buy them usually at auction. The public is not allowed.
Occasionally, a repossessed vehicle may be sold by the lender.
The first driver eats the large chunk of depreciation. Dealers do not.
Hubby decided now that we are getting older, to lease again. Not needing a second car as I am retired, and he works from home, so mileage isn't an issue for now. A used car eventually needs to go in for repairs. That necessitates a second car also.
There are things that grate on my nerves with newer vehicles, like tire pressure sensors that misread when the car sits in the sun, replacing a cooling pump at the 5 or 6 year age mark, etc. Tires are also expensive today.
Just looking for the best deal out there.
Also being wise with our money lately, hoping the economy holds well.
We both got shafted big time after the 2004 tax cuts. Where were all those jobs that tax cuts promise? Lesson learned. We're too old to recover after another debocle like last decade.


Post# 968692 , Reply# 287   11/18/2017 at 10:06 (2,322 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
And of course w/ the remote start is where to put the key (or fob) as I'm not used to driving w/ it in my pocket...

Still wish for an ignition (lighted, as I have a Chrysler that used to pride itself on helping you find it in the dark, but tries passing for with some writing around the knob & the some lighted lettering on the knob) that can just serve as a place to put my keys in!

(I lay them flat on my console, anchored in s cupholder, secured w/ a glasses case...)



-- Dave


Post# 968727 , Reply# 288   11/18/2017 at 14:32 (2,322 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        

ovrphil's profile picture
Older cars are preferred ; some of the excesses in interior gadgetry and gaping mouth grille styling is...not for me. I'd love to have a nice looking electric vehicle, but the T's are over our budget for now. So fourteen years ago, in September, we decided to give Hertz a try and bought one of their fleet vehicles - a 2003 Toyota Avalon XLS, which I wasn't crazy about in style and color(silver) was bought from Hertz, as they replace their fleet at different times. It still had a warranty, but still cost about $25K. It"s still going smooth and strong at 245,500 miles with 21 city/27 freeway, depending on the outdoor air temperatures and tires. Right now, the Continental Conti-Contac Pros are still ok, but about 30K miles on them and ready for a change soon. When I took it in under warranty, they said, "this car will easily go 300,000 miles, it's not even broken in at 25,000 miles. So far, they have been right. I keep it washed and waxed, though it has battle scars.

We need to buy 2 "newer" used vehicles, probably next year early. We did leases, a big mistake actually, and bought new, but didn't hold on to them as long as this Toyota. It sure has been nice not having a car payment.

:-)


Post# 968729 , Reply# 289   11/18/2017 at 14:44 (2,321 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture

I like the keyless entry, pushbutton start. I rarely have to take the fob out of my pocket. Just grab the door handle , get in, push the button and away I go.   At night time as you approach the car from about 8 feet away the interior lights automatically come on. It would be odd going back . 


Post# 968731 , Reply# 290   11/18/2017 at 14:53 (2,321 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
I'm A Car Nut

and have been my whole life. I count it as a blessing that I grew up in a time when gas was twenty cents a gallon and I could work on all my cars.

However, as I have to spend part of my time in a wheelchair and spending hours driving isn't the enjoyment it was, I sure wish we had trains like our Euro and Asian friends have. There are other parts of the country that I doubt I'll ever visit again simply because of the physical demands. I flew my fanny off on business for so many years that it's certainly no pleasure, and won't bother me if I never get wedged in another undersized seat.

But if we had trains with compartments, I could easily travel, being able to lie down when I needed to (which is, unfortunately often due to the ruined spine) or walk around when I need to.

Those who know such things say that we'll never have that quality of train in this country because the distances simply make it uneconomical. My fellow Texans on here know how long the idea has been kicking around to have a super-train between just Houston and Dallas. But, with SW flying Hobby to Love every half hour, who's gonna take it?

I'd love to have my second car back: a 1959 BMW Isetta. It's amazing what they sell for restored these days.


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Post# 968743 , Reply# 291   11/18/2017 at 15:23 (2,321 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
A friend of mine in high school had an Isetta. I remember seeing her get out of it - once. She used to say how embarrassed she was to drive it, that her father got it for her. Now she says she wished she still had it.

They had their own class one year at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, if I'm not mistaken.




Post# 968903 , Reply# 292   11/19/2017 at 09:38 (2,321 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
I've seen only one

Isetta on the road ever. Remember the Renault Le car? Anyone ever own one?
After having a Gremlin, I steered clear of anything affiliated with AMC.
A friend had a Renault Fuego turbo. The Alliance and Encore was the final try to save AMC. The Eagle Premier lived on as the Dodge Monaco for a year or two after Chrysler acquired the Jeep Eagle brands. Now Renault is Nissan. Say what you want about French cars, I liked the Vel Satis styling. I think the Citroen DS was one of the best cars ever period.
Not many others had a hydro pneumatic suspension in 1956.
The last global recession ended many of Europe's larger platform cars. The Opel Omega, which the last Greek letter anyway.


Post# 968905 , Reply# 293   11/19/2017 at 10:01 (2,321 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Renault Le Car

foraloysius's profile picture
Or Renault 5 as they were labelled here. Friends and acquaintances had them. They already rusted in the brochure as we say...

Post# 968918 , Reply# 294   11/19/2017 at 12:50 (2,321 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
Besides the one in high school, I occasionally see Isettas at car meets and such. But they are rare. Probably fatal in a head-on, so I'm not surprised the owners don't drive them regularly. Even more rare are the Messerschmidt bubble cars - I've never seen one of those, not even in a museum.

I remember the Le Car well. There seemed to be a lot of them when they were new, at least in Berkeley. Older Renaults and Peugeots seemed to be more common there than elsewhere. Usually belching blue smoke and struggling to go up slight inclines... The Citroen DS was a very nice car, and revolutionary for its time. A friend of mine had one; he said the main problem was that most shops didn't know how to work on the suspension and its related plumbing.


Post# 968982 , Reply# 295   11/19/2017 at 20:22 (2,320 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        

New cars for me are 1980s. I have 13 cars, ranging from 1949 to 2008. For me its more about what type of event I am driving to, and what would most better suit the event.

I call my 1976 Cadillac Eldorado my "new" car because it only had 1,500 original miles when I bought it last year, now its up to 3030 miles, time for the first oil change? LOL

My 1955 Chevy was my first car I bought when I was 14 years old, and still love to drive it.


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Post# 968987 , Reply# 296   11/19/2017 at 20:34 (2,320 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Cool Cars!

That's a beautiful sedan. Can you share a little more about it, i.e. what engine, what transmission, which type of heater, radio, etc. I think, back then, that I'd probably have gone for a sedan, whether 2- or 4-door, because I like a solid body. Renner and the others were such masters at GM. These Chevy bodies were always so much better looking than their contemporary cousins over at Pontiac. I particularly hated those stupid 'eyebrows' over the headlights on the Pontiac, not to mention the stupid Silver Streak suspenders.

I was in college when that '76 Eldorado was made. One of the radiologists for whom I worked had a powder blue one with that same color interior, but it was a coupe. I drove it on occasion in Houston when he needed errands run and didn't have time. I loved it, just loved it. Like driving a living room around. I never noticed the flat floor. The seats were just amazing. I owned an Olds 98 convertible at the time so big cars didn't bother me. But the hood was just something else. You'd feel invincible because it was so many feet before anyone could get to you! Unlike the Mark IV at that time, this car pushed the interior room to the max width with the windows flush with the outside. I'm not short but the door armrest was too far from me to comfortably use. And it was dead quiet. If you haven't seen it, check out Doug DeMuro's video on YouTube where he drives the '77. But of course, he's only about thirty and wasn't around when these were common on the road. I envy you 'cause I'd love to own and drive one of these again...


Post# 969008 , Reply# 297   11/19/2017 at 22:39 (2,320 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
Thanks...

its a 1955 chevy 210, 235 cid straight 6 engine, two speed automatic powerglide transmission, I rebuilt the engine, had it painted my senior year in HS, 1994, also when I bought those new bias tires from coker, bias rubber tires last for decades! It has the deluxe heater, two speed blower, inside or outside air lever, it was a radio delete car. Model 210s had rubber floor mat usually instead of carpet, I have a carpet in it now, I'd like to have the rubber mat again someday, easy to clean!

I happened upon three Eldorado cars, a '71, '73, and that '76, I got them all in a package deal, the white '76 was the last year for convertibles, most likely the reason it was bought new and put away for 40 years, its loaded with every option, Fuel injection also, I had to study the system and learn it just to get it running again, after 8 new injectors, fuel pumps (twice) and fuel tank redone, it runs like a new car, well that and I had to pull the heads, intake valves were sticky from sitting and bent some push rods, had the dreaded dead cylinder, easy fix for my machine shop, I've driven it twice 280 miles and back again to my sisters without any issues, its really efficient on fuel with the EFI.

The '71 is the only hardtop, and only had 28k miles, and few months ago I bought a 1967 Chrysler New Yorker, had been in a garage since 1989 and only 50k miles, that was my late summer project, typically have to replace all brake lines, fuel system, engine tune, lucky that one runs like a new car, and the rusty old exhaust is actually quiet and hasn't blown out yet like I though it would after the first highway drive LOL, added some photos of it still in the garage, bringing it home, washing it up, cleaned up really well, not bad that I got it for under $600, did put about $2000 in parts getting it going, tires were half of that, expensive but needed.


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Post# 969011 , Reply# 298   11/19/2017 at 23:19 (2,320 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Your Cars

I had a '61 Chevy Biscayne wagon in the early 70's in college. It had absolutely no options--but someone had put in an under dash a/c which worked well. And it'd overheat that engine in a heartbeat in traffic because they didn't do anything to beef up the cooling.

My 235cid had manual valves; your PG had hydraulic ones, right? That was a fine engine, I rebuilt mine while in college in my parent's garage. That car was so underpowered, the engine was just screaming at 70mph, had the recirc heater and 1-speed wipers, no radio. I found a third seat in a junkyard and put it in, it was blue and my interior was green but at 17, who cares? Drove it on retreads--do they even sell those any more? Easy to change generator brushes, adjust valves, etc. Like yours, I could see the ground all around the engine...

I remember how upset all of us guys were when that '71 Eldorado came out, bloated and with that comb thing on the side. The '67-70 was such a clean car and this thing looked like a Soviet housewife. The 'King of the Hill' road test that Motor Trend did on that year, matching this against the last year of the Mark III, stated this looked "swollen". I agree. The restyle and getting rid of the damn fender skirts did a lot, and changing the shape of the opera window.

Tell me: on your '67 New Yorker, do you feel like you are sitting 'high' in that car? I remember reading in 'Collectible Automobile' an account of the history of the '69 Imperial with the 'fuselage'styling, and one of the stylists said there that they'd never been happy with that body. I know that the last series of Crown Vics, Lincolns, etc., always left me feeling like I was sitting 'high' when the seat was adjusted right. It's a beautiful car, though, but of course down here where I live it'd have had a/c for sure. So many people have griped about Engel's work at Chrysler, but I think he did a fine job. I just hated those 'fuselage' Mopar cars from '69 onward;; they looked like big turds out of a toilet. Obviously the public agreed, and they had to change them by '72.

Thanks again for sharing your cars!


Post# 969016 , Reply# 299   11/20/2017 at 00:45 (2,320 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        

That '61 wagon is big! The cars really got so big that the 235 was not enough power, however it is more than enough power for my '55, small car. Correct, all powerglide equipped cars had hydraulic lifters, manual trans cars where solid lifters. The straight 6 was an amazing engine, they ran and ran. Yes I love my generators, I hate when people add alternators, they look terrible and wont charge a dead battery like a generator will. There is a local shop that rebuilds all my original parts if needed, they still can get parts. I do just about all my own mechanical work, have to, labour is so expensive an I find it enjoyable.

So is that what they thought about the redesign of the '71 Eldo?! It is very low and wide, I actually like those "air scoops" on the quarter panel, it was a throw-back to the 50s they did that year, also the interior is very late 50s style. Also the vent louvers in the upper trunk lid. You'll notice I don't have the fender skirts on, they were missing when I bought the car, I did get a pair from my salvage guy in SC, I just haven't painted them to match yet. But many have said it looks better without them on lol. I wish vintage appliance parts were as easy to come by as classic car parts.

Now the "sitting high" part, I don't feel I'm sitting high, its actually just right for me, comfortable car, my first Chrysler product. I really like the 440 cid engine, so much power! and the torsion bar front suspension is really nice for handling and ride, rear leaf springs make a good combination, little body roll while cornering, I also noticed during fast take off, the car "lifts" as one, not just the front end like other cars, the rear lifts with the front. The Eldorado also uses torsion bar front suspension, however, the rear are coil springs, little more flex and bounce. I will say the early 70s styling was sort of odd, the '67 looks great, I like how half the car is rear quarter panel then a door and front fender is the front half, such long cars, very nice car to drive on the highway, really likes to go around 75 and 85 mph and just feels right at that speed. They use 14" wheels, and that's rare today, Coker Tire was my only option, but I have the original tire and size that came with the car new, that's what I wanted.

Added a photo of the engine, I removed and painted the valve covers, makes the rest of it look bad lol, someday I'll paint the whole engine.


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Post# 969020 , Reply# 300   11/20/2017 at 00:59 (2,320 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Thanks!

A friend of mine at church owns a large independent tire dealership down here and he's said what you're stating: it's getting tough to find tires for all those cars from the late 50's to late 60's in large sizes and 14-inch wheels. I know my parents' beautiful '60 Bonneville 4-door Vista used them. Kudos to Buick for sticking with 15-inchers. I never rode in one of those '67 Chryslers, just repeating what I read. In junior high, the parents of a friend of mine had a '68 Town and Country with every option, including the dual a/c. I loved riding in that car; it was the same color as in the brochure.

You know, by the mid-60's the intermediate GM cars like the Chevelle were so close to the size of your '55, save being lower. When you look at that '55, it's hard to justify any more bulk or room in any dimension for normal, pleasant transportation. Like the Ramblers of a few years later, it made excellent use of the few inches of vertical body height that were eliminated by '58 and '59.

When I was a kid in the 60's my father had a 1949 Dodge Coronet coupe for his 'work' car. He was an engineer who drove about 10 miles daily back and forth to work. Even as a child it was apparent how nice it was to have "chair height" seats, particularly when I'd transfer to my mother's '60 Bonneville where you sat on the floor.

It amuses me how so many people now prefer sitting in SUV's and pickups rather than so low to the ground in contemporary cars. I think those people 'way before us knew something about ergonomics...


Post# 969024 , Reply# 301   11/20/2017 at 01:46 (2,320 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
Very true...

Harley Earl ran the styling at GM from the 30s until 1958, the man was genius with styling, the 50s were an amazing time for it, my favourite era indeed. All those cars in the 50s were the "bubble top", could wear your hat and sit at a nice height, then in '58 the order was given from the top, "bubble tops" were out, hence, like you were sitting on the floor in the Pontiac, my cousin has a '60 Cadillac and I know exactly what you are talking about. I have a '54 Cadillac Fleetwood, its the same as sitting inside my '55, also the 2 door cars had a lower roofline than the 4 doors.

One pretty much has to buy tires from Coker now, they are the only supplier of them in all the sizes, thus, pay $230 per tire lol, I still need to do that for the '54 Cadillac, but first I need to assemble the engine, I had to drive to Desert Valley auto for an engine block, mine was cracked, its all been bored and machined and ready for assembly, its been sitting over a year and its on the short list to be done before the end of the year. I bought that car in LA, drove out of CA and its gotten a paint job, mechanicals, but hasn't been driven in over 10 years, its time I think! And it had factory AC, power windows, seat, guidematic (automatic headlight dimmer) vacuum power antenna, pretty good for '54!

My dad just picked up a '49 chevy fastback, all original, 50k miles, working through the brakes now, then fuel system, that is one nice looking car, cant wait to drive it.


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Post# 969025 , Reply# 302   11/20/2017 at 02:04 (2,320 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Your '54 a/c

You know, I thought that by the time I reached this age that I'd have reached the point in my career, that I could get back to loving the cars I grew up with. I didn't reckon on a spinal infection that would cripple me and leave me even unable to get under a car to change the oil, much less wield a wrench. You're a lucky guy.

I noticed, of course, those scoops for the a/c on your '54. Did it have the two blowers so that you could cool at different rates for different sides of the car? I know it was there by '56 but don't know when it first came out with that.

Does your a/c have the roof vents? Cadillac sedans (the 62 and the 60SP) offered the choice, whereas the hardtops only came with the rear shelf vents. That was supposed to be a fantastic unit, I've read about it in contemporary magazine accounts.

I've seen different accounts and haven't seen one of these in the flesh for Lord knows how many years. Were those tubes going to the roof air glass, or plastic? I know they were plastic on the Lincolns 'cause they discolored so badly. And of course Chrysler Airtemp units before '57 didn't go to roof vents.

Looking in the 1956 Cadillac salesman's book on www.oldcarbrochures.com..., it states that air conditioning was available for the 1956 62 convertible and Eldorado convertible. From what it describes, when the top is up the trunk unit just blew out somehow through vents in the top well. Have you ever actually seen a '56 convertible that had that a/c? I haven't seen any other documentation saying whether that was available on the '54 or '55.

Thanks for the information. That's a sweet Chevy--those used to be so common on the road, and like the original Beetles, you just wake up one day and they're all gone...'slip and slide with Powerglide'


Post# 969031 , Reply# 303   11/20/2017 at 02:43 (2,320 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
Space age acrylic tubes...

You know quite a bit about the system already! Yes the system is duel side controls, fan speed is variable, one knob controls the drivers side blower, and the other passenger side blower, evaporator section is in the trunk right behind the rear seat back, its basically a commercial type refrigeration unit, large copper evaporator, TXV expansion valve, all copper lines, flare fittings, lines run under the car front to rear. The sedans like the Fleetwood used space age acrylic clear tubes so not to block the view in the rear window sides to channel the air into ductwork in the headliner, then there is a chrome vent over the driver and driver side rear seat, and so on with the passenger side. I pumped some oil in my system, charged it and it blows out ice cold air, it really does work well. Hardtop models used two vents mounted on each side of the rear package shelf, my '56 Sedan de Ville hardtop had that with the AC, still upset I sold that car, why I stopped selling stuff lol, I recently purchased a former grocery store built in 1954, and its going to be the place for all my cars and appliances, I'm sure it will be full in a few years though LOL

Post# 969035 , Reply# 304   11/20/2017 at 03:06 (2,320 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
early Olds a/c

You know the one that's weird looking? The 1954 Oldsmobile. Probably for air flow reasons, they put the scoops way at the back of the rear fenders. See below.

Did GM/Harrison have a patent on their compressor design? It always seemed to make sense, using that radial design, with it being not only less bulky but also smoother-running than the piston design of its competitors. It always looked funny to me to see V-8's with a huge a/c piston compressor plopped right in front, in between the banks of cylinders.

I had an older cousin who, while I was in junior high in 1967, had a '67 VW Beetle with a York a/c unit added at the dealership. What made it interesting as I learned later, was that the whole thing was behind the rear seat, taking up all of that cavity back there, and blowing from the back. In that little Beetle it worked just great. But made it even more rear-heavy.


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Post# 969074 , Reply# 305   11/20/2017 at 09:29 (2,320 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
'54 Olds A/C compressor;

I don't know if it was designed by Frigidaire division, or Harrison. It is the first generation design. In 1962, a new slimmer axial design came out By Frigidaire. It could be driven by one belt, had lower friction and better cooling efficiency. Harrison made radiators, evaporator and heater cores, condensors. Not sure about the dessicant driers, POA valves and lines.
These were used through 1977 (78 on mid size cars) when the radial compressor came out with a pressure cut off switch.
Look at the A/C compressor on 1977, '78, '79, etc. Ford's, and it looks identical to the Frigidaire axial compressor.


Post# 969171 , Reply# 306   11/20/2017 at 23:39 (2,319 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
Compressors..

I'm pretty sure GM had a patent on the design, the '54 compressor is much larger in diameter than the replacement A5 compressor that came out in '55. I also found there are no parts or rebuilding available for the pre A5, mine works though. The filter/dryer is an inline type that is still used today in commercial refrigeration, with flare fittings on copper line, I just took one out of my work van and installed it along the frame. I also injected some POE oil in the system, it will really clean up and re-oil the system better than the old mineral oil.

by 1960 they went to aluminum lines, more "auto air" type fittings, I've worked on a 1960 Cadillac system. The A6 is the one vacerator is talking about, like one of the best designs that lasted for years. Sometimes expansion valve or fixed orfice later on as a metering device.
I bet that VW did have few hundred pounds extra weight added to it!


Post# 969177 , Reply# 307   11/21/2017 at 00:05 (2,319 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Air Conditioning

Because of this awful hot and humid climate on the TX Gulf Coast, people down here got into a/c early if they could possibly afford it, both at home and in cars. I was born in 1955; in 1954 my parents bought a Pontiac Star Chief, the first year for them and the last year for the straight eight. What was unusual was that it was available already with factory a/c! Not only that, the system was all under the hood and nothing in the trunk. There's a photo of a '54 with it in the dash below. It was also the first year for power windows, but only in the front. My parents didn't have them, but did have that orange lucite Indian-head hood ornament that lit up at night. In fact, that's the interior that my parents' car had, leather with all those little buttons that my mother said were constantly popping off and she'd be sewing them on. The Star Chief had a trunk 11" longer than the Chieftain and it was just enormous. Photos below aren't their Star Chief, but theirs was exactly that color which was very popular that year.

It still amazes me to see luxury cars in the 60's and later, still with no optional a/c! I know from travels that it gets not only hot in other parts of the country, but humid even when not hot. I'd buy a lower-priced car back then because, like so many down here where I live, the cost of the a/c would just be added automatically on to whatever car I'd buy.

Always seemed strange to me that Ford came out in '56 with built-in dash a/c while the '56 Mercury and Lincoln still had it in the trunk. Then, they came out with that dash unit under the windshield in '57 like Cadillac, only to revert back to the clunky box under the dash! GM did so much better with their a/c installations, as did Rambler, than either Ford or Chrysler. It seems that early 60's Plymouths and Dodges are virtually never seen with optional a/c. . .


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Post# 969180 , Reply# 308   11/21/2017 at 00:23 (2,319 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
nice pontiac

That is pretty interesting, here in IL its very hot and humid as well, but even my '67 Chrysler does not have AC, but the generation buying those cars back then were from the depression era, and they did not spend more money than they had to, they just preferred to sweat lol. One interesting thing about the AC in my '54 is that its totally independent from the heating system, thus, one could have the heat on when the AC is on, which would be needed if the defrost was used in the summer, one drawback not having conditioned air for defrost. I was looking in my shop over the parts, and could not find my AC compressor to take a photo, I think its in the car trunk, and at a different garage. It will be back soon when the engine is back in the car though.

Post# 969187 , Reply# 309   11/21/2017 at 00:45 (2,319 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
GM A/C

As I recall, 1963 was the first year that the full sized GM cars had an integrated heat/cooling system where one could have heated, conditioned air. My parents' 1960 Bonneville had completely separate controls for the two. In the '61 Cadillac brochure they present this characteristic as an advantage, where one could have conditioned air out the dash outlets and warm air at the floor level.

In the sixties my father owned a '60 Rambler Classic wagon with stick, O/D and A/C for several years as a 'work' car. It had those vents on the top of the dash and cooled really well. You had to have the little doors open when you had the radio on as the speaker was still in the usual place. Actually the acoustics were improved by that. But the a/c on that car wasn't adjustable for cooling at all, it was on or off. It wasn't until 1962 that Rambler started putting in adjustable thermostats.

I always found the under-dash a/c units for the '64-66 Mustangs very attractive with those four round vents and the chrome front. Again, with the heat down here we even had Corvairs with a/c! A neighbor of ours had a '64, the last year for the first body, with factory a/c. When I was in high school in the late 60's, a female friend had a '65 Corvair 4-door Monza hardtop with both auto and a/c. Talk about a slow car! But it was cool in the summer.


Post# 969199 , Reply# 310   11/21/2017 at 01:33 (2,319 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
auto climate control

My cousin has a '64 Cadillac Fleetwood with Automatic climate control, first year for it, I still need to check it over, its not working. It works on vacuum. You've been around some nice cars!

Post# 969207 , Reply# 311   11/21/2017 at 04:14 (2,319 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Cadillac vs The Other Two

Cadillac went all in on 'Comfort Control' in '64, then renamed it 'Climate Control'. How? You either bought that or you didn't get a/c. Then they changed it in the series of the last big cars in the 70's so that the compressor only ran part of the time, and actually put a 'vent' setting on it.

But, if you remember, Lincoln didn't get its auto-temp until 1966. However, you could get manual a/c up into the early 70's if you didn't want the auto. I can't remember the exact year, it may have been '71, that they finally just made auto temp standard over the whole line.

And Imperial still had those beautiful Engel-designed body-on-frame Imperials, with the first year of that style in '64. It still had the pushbutton transmission that year but thankfully went back to a round steering wheel and the turn signal on a stalk. They switched over to the Chrysler body with a stretched wheelbase in front of the A-pillar in 1967, but didn't introduce their Auto Temp until 1968. The one thing that Imperial had for so very many years that was unique was the dual a/c. A friend of mine growing up had a father who owned a '66 Imperial Crown Coupe, green with a black vinyl roof and black buckets, and his had the front and the rear a/c. Bob Hope's '67 Crown Coupe has the dual a/c. You'd think that at least the Fleetwood Brougham and Sixty Special could've used it.

I own the Iconografix series book on the history of the Cadillac 75 series. Limos weren't common where I grew up and I found them fascinating, and of course down here they all had the rear a/c with those little scoops. Then, when they came out with the new '75 body in 1966, it got Climate Control in the back, and a few years later had two completely separate systems for the front and the back. But the funny thing is, in 1971 with the last of the big bodies, it had the little air scoops on the back, but by 1972 they were gone! I've never been able to find out why, certainly nothing in the brochures explain. This is really an excellent book if you're a fan of the Series 75.


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Post# 969328 , Reply# 312   11/21/2017 at 23:18 (2,318 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
auto climate control

Indeed! My cadillacs vary over the decades and I know what you mean! The '64 is a Comfort Control, the '71 has a "vent" setting, the '76 replaced "vent" with "economy". I have some work to do on the '71, not getting full heat mode, have to check some thermistors or calibrate the head end.
I think they decided to remove the make-up air scoops and they integrated a hidden door in the climate control housing, maybe thought it looked more streamlined with out the scoops, I like the scoops though.
I always thought it was interesting that they kept the 1959 and 1960 roofs and vent windows all the way through '64 only on the series 75, its like they had so many left over they decided to use them up on the series 75.


Post# 969335 , Reply# 313   11/21/2017 at 23:45 (2,318 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
No--

The weird part is that, while they came out with the all new body and perimeter chassis for 1965, the 1965 Fleetwood 75 didn't get it! It continued with the 1959-64 structure. As stated in the excerpt below, the only way you can tell a '64 from a '65 is by the revised three-stripe whitewall tires. It also didn't get the auto temp until 1966. Also, the 1965 Cadillac brochure is the only postwar one that I remember that doesn't have the Series 75 in it. It says something like there's a separate brochure. But it was back with the new 1966 body. As always, best reference for brochures is www.oldcarbrochures.com.... See below.

This is like Cadillac did with the Series 75 after the war, sticking with the beautiful old 1942 body until it was replaced in 1950.

The funny part to me that I didn't know until I bought this book was that the 1954-56 Series 75 was still using the old 1950 body! And it's true, if you look closely at the superstructure on the '54 you can see how they cleverly disguised the old body. I'd always just assumed they replaced it because the '54 looked so different from the '53.

And it's so nice to come across a car guy on here who loves his limousines...


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Post# 969343 , Reply# 314   11/22/2017 at 02:04 (2,318 days old) by diesirae7 (Central Illinois)        
series 75

one of those came up for sale here this summer, was a bit steep on the price so I didn't buy it, but sure wish I had one, I think it was a '64

Post# 969346 , Reply# 315   11/22/2017 at 03:14 (2,318 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Another Kennedy Limo

This is an interesting limousine that was used by President Kennedy. However, it was apparently designed for the Ford family use and somehow ended up with the president. Like his original SS-100X, it's unarmored. Interesting that it basically follows the lines of the '61-62 with the curved glass, though it has rear a/c. And just really, really beautiful.

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Post# 969348 , Reply# 316   11/22/2017 at 03:50 (2,318 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
Jackie Kennedy's Lincoln

Another less well-known Kennedy Lincoln from the same era as the SS-100X is this limousine. Mrs. Kennedy traditionally preferred a 1960 Imperial Ghia, but this was constructed around the same time as the SS-100X. It was made from a Continental, but doesn't appear stretched much, if at all. It looks almost as though they did the 3" stretch on it that came in 1964 to the whole line. As you can see in the photos, this sure made for a tight driver's compartment! There was the privacy division added. You can see from the back seat photo that there obviously was trunk a/c and the vents came out in the rear armrests facing the back seat--classy! And, of course, the rear portion of the roof was replaced with a plexiglass one. There's one photo of the car with the privacy cover over the plexiglass roof. As with the SS-100X, there was no armoring on this car. I don't know when it was decommissioned, but it was used extensively during the LBJ administration. There's a photo here of Pope Paul VI in the back seat. There's also a photo of Luci Johnson getting in, in her wedding dress. There's an excellent video on this car with better photography on YouTube.

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This post was last edited 11/22/2017 at 04:08
Post# 969370 , Reply# 317   11/22/2017 at 09:01 (2,318 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
The final presidential

limousine of this style of Lincoln was built for Nixon in 1969 at ASC (American Sunroof) in Southgate Michigan.
ASC also did the padded roof custom Landau Cadillac's that were factory ordered.
It's German born founder Heinz Pretcher suffered with severe depression and hanged himself in his Grosse Ille home in the 90's.


Post# 969377 , Reply# 318   11/22/2017 at 10:43 (2,318 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
I'm Guessing

that you mean the final Lincoln rather than the final one of these unitized Lincolns built on the 1961 body. That was the 1968 built for Nixon by Lehman-Peterson, who were building the Lincoln limousines from 1964 on. It was the first with the flip down rear bumper to make a step and the grab bar built to raise from the trunk lid. They also made a standard '67 Lincoln convertible into a matching SS followup car. The last Lincoln was the one that Reagan used when he got shot in '81, and it was a beauty--based on the 'Mercury' Lincoln that came out in 1970. They put suicide doors on it.

To my eyes, the ugliest of tho limos of that time was the Reagan Cadillac, photo below. They made the door windows so slanted that it looks like it's drunk! There's a shot here also of Clinton's pudgy Impala/Fleetwood based limousine.

There's a shot here also of JFK's SS-100X when it was quite new; you can tell because it has the 1961 Lincoln grille on it, which was replaced in 1962. Remember, Ford owned it and they wanted it updated for marketing reasons. You may notice those beautiful wheel covers on the early SS-100X. They are actually the cast wheel covers for the Continental Mark II. Because they kept getting damaged in transport, they were replaced by the much less expensive 1957 Lincoln covers. Those are the covers on the car when JFK was murdered. Why those? The '61-63 Lincolns used 14" wheels and the last Lincoln with 15" wheels was the '57. And of course after the murder the car went back to Hess & Eisenhart, who stripped it and added over a ton of armor plating, and the bulletproof greenhouse, along with a trunk a/c unit. It remained in service until 1977.

LBJ never liked riding in that car, and I don't blame him. I'm not superstitious or anything like that, but the idea of riding around in the same place where another guy got murdered would give me the creeps!


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Post# 969558 , Reply# 319   11/23/2017 at 13:30 (2,317 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
I can remember the photo

and the caption description out of a new Michigan history book in 1970. I was in 6th. grade. The limo looked like the one in photo #5. Maybe the book was incorrect, or maybe ASC only made or fitted the roof. My high school was just down the road from ASC, and the factory as was then was in the photo also. Pretcher died in 2001, but was well connected to the republican party, and Detroit is on the way to D.C. via I-94 or rail from Chicago. Also just a 20 minute drive from either Detroit Int., or Willow Run airports. Lots of large military cargo planes used to land there.

Post# 969571 , Reply# 320   11/23/2017 at 15:34 (2,316 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
The Book

was in error. If you look at photo #7, Mr. Lehman and Mr. Peterson, the owners of the company that made Lincoln limousines from 1964-69, stand in front of the limousine (#5) that they made for the government.

Post# 969668 , Reply# 321   11/24/2017 at 14:21 (2,316 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        
Favorite older cars

ovrphil's profile picture
I don't ever get tired of reading about the cars people own, owned and/or drive currently. I love those old Caddy's When I worked for NCR in Detroit, at the corner f W.Grand Blvd. and the Lodge Freeway, I would walk a short distance to look at the new GM cars displayed in the lobby of the Albert Kahn designed GM Building., completed in 1923. The lobby was massive wih huge escalators and the enormously tall ceilings. Unfortunately, photos of this lobby are difficult to find that match my description; the one included here is away from the lobby. But one day, taking my NCR lunch break, GM had all the new 1985 cars on display. I checked out a 1985 Cadillac Biarritz convertible (similar to the one here). sitting behind the wheel, admiring the dash and white interior, choking on the $30K+ sticker price. I picked up a color chart which sadly I can't find anymore,but the choices filled two pages You had an amazing array of colors, something today's cars are sadly missing.

While modern cars are better in some ways, I like the older cars , as the caddy's, and some of my own that I wish I hadn't sold. Here are two of my favorites, the other being a 1968 Cougar five-speed(custom installed at the dealership and used as a demo car). I loved that Firebird 350...remember following a Panera across the Mojave, when moving out to California ( at too high of speed). That was a great engine!


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Post# 969823 , Reply# 322   11/25/2017 at 07:40 (2,315 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Phil,

in 1985, I worked on W. Grand blvd. also.
The GM building is now city offices, etc. called Cadillac Place.


Post# 969959 , Reply# 323   11/25/2017 at 19:19 (2,314 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        
MIKE,

ovrphil's profile picture
Hi. What are the chances, eh? That was such a great place - sorry they had to move to the Ren Cen but everything changes in time. I'd like to see if they kept the elevators in the lobby, but I'm guessing ...it was totally reconfigured to maximize space, right? Mike, if you have ANY photos of the lobby when the cars were there, or anything of that lobby, I would love to have a copy. Also, I haven't tried contacting GM and just see where that goes.

Great times. I haven't been to the RenCen though my niece works for Blue Cross Blue Shield; I'd have a double excuse to see the GM lobby(?) at the RenCen.

Um...what did you do there in 1985 and did you too also enjoy the lobby and car exhibits one could "try on for size"?

Phil


Post# 970071 , Reply# 324   11/26/2017 at 10:29 (2,314 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Phil,

I worked for Borman's inc. foods (FJ) at W. Vernor and the blvd. as a produce manager at the time. A friend of mine worked for EDS in the Argonaut building, and we met for lunch on occasion in new center. I did see the cars on display.
I left that store shortly before it closed and to the east suburbs where we were opening new stores.
I remember when your building said Unysis on it.
We don't go downtown much anymore, but there are positive things happening. A new high rise is going where JL Hudson's used to be.


Post# 970083 , Reply# 325   11/26/2017 at 11:51 (2,314 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
This is the website of a German Mercedes Benz classic dealer. They have some beautiful classics for sale in their "museum". Lots of pictures of most models.


alltime-stars.com/fahrzeuge/...


Post# 1024437 , Reply# 326   2/13/2019 at 04:19 (1,870 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Remembered how about 30 years right across from my grandparents house who live near the street corner (James St./River St. Flat Rock, MI) that a small '80's Pontiac Sunbird station wagon spun around in countless circles, even bending the stop sign post...

Finally the car with that frightened man and woman who'd you could seen the very pale look on their faces gained composure and could continue driving back on the main rd. (River St.) and I just didn't know what to do watching all that on their front porch...

So minutes later a police car stops by the scene to straighten the stop sign pole, then head off in the direction that car drove towards, apparently the driver and passenger were probably just doing a quick turnaround, only for most-likely the one cop in his car to make sure they were both alright and recommend them going to nearby Seaway Hospital around that way (where my grandpa died at, probably months or a year or years later)...



-- Dave



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