The Old Cars

Growing up in Sydney in the MAD MAX era,muscle cars Holden Monaro's,GTHO Fords were highly prized.They had style,grunt and sounded great.The modern cars are much more reliable,faster and more fuel efficient and don't seem to rust but they are plastic and all look the same, with no style.I remember the old Valiants having push button transmissions.

I drove a push button Plymouth briefly as a teenager. Modern cars are much more reliable as mentioned, but a nightmare to work on if something does need worked on. I miss the simpler engine compartment, when I could do most everything needed to keep the car running. The basic components of the engine have not changed, but gags of computers, wiring, plumbing, and belts sure clog up the works under the hood.

My first car was a 1972 Chevy Impala convertible.

But I always thought the Cadillac Eldorado convertible was the definition of cool.

I remember being given a lift in a yellow 2CV, and was amazad that the gear shift looked like an umbrella that came out from the dash. Changing gears made no sense to me.
I've driven many modern vehicles and you are right about reliability...up to a point, and that point is usually 10 years from manufacture. There are a lot more units that are "sealed for life", or are just near impossible to get to or replace and is getting worse. One some vehicles now it is a dealership only that can change a lightbulb and will charge you a lot to do that as it not only requires the whole of the front of the car removed, but also a dash warning light turned off using software only available to the dealerships.

I remember when the first diagnostic ports arrived in cars and wondered then - Why is there not a display to show what is wrong and needs replacing? It then occurred to me that this was not for the customer, it was for the profit of the dealerships.

This is why I drive a 1968 Landrover that I have rebuilt myself.

What I like about it is the utility aspect - It is a hard top, but last summer I put a rag top on it and took the door tops off and fitted a tailgate instead. I hauled about 2 tonne of compost around in it, then hosed it out afterwards. Now it's back to a hardtop for the winter.
It has selectable 4wd and has pulled out many people in deep snow.
It is reliable, but only because I work on it myself and do regular maintenance. I like the fact I don't need a lift or ramps to work under it. I've overhauled the engine in-situ, which would be impossible in a modern vehicle.

It's not fast, but in town traffic it stays happy in the speed limits. It's not warm to start on a winters day but I've modded it to the Canadian spec so now it does turn rain to steam on the windscreen. It used to be noisy before the soundproofing. It does let in some water, but it also lets it out again.
And it is my favourite.

My favorite car that I owned, and the one I regret selling was my 1980 Datsun 280z 10th Anniversary edition:

Paintman said:

My first car was a 1972 Chevy Impala convertible.
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But I always thought the Cadillac Eldorado convertible was the definition of cool.
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Paintman is that you in the pic ?

Lynne said:

Paintman is that you in the pic ?

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Arnold Palmer at the Masters wearing one of his many Green Jackets.

I had a 69 mustang with silver rims. It was a beauty.