Classic cars

[Heep]

I've often been asked why I love classic cars so much - today's machines drive faster and further, and do so with more efficiency, so why would I possibly like anything so antiquated?

One reason for this fascination, I suppose, is the classic car world itself. Classic car owners exist in a world of cool where they aren't flustered by such trivial issues as fuel economy, crash test ratings, decent climate control, and high-fidelity stereos. Classic car owners are unimpeded by impracticalities, prefering instead to portray an image of individuality and demonstrate their exquisite, if eccentric, tastes. In effect, they are the same people as modern supercar owners, but usually lacking the outright excessive wealth. I can only do my best to fit that profile.

Classic cars cannot, of course, objectively stack up against their modern day rivals. What was once a sports car, and thus was one of the fastest cars on the road in its day, now struggles to despatch bargain-basement Hyundais; yet, the challenge posed by regular road users is one to be undertaken with vigor and enjoyed to the fullest. Classic car owners are among the few who still have the priviledge to push their cars to the limit yet still remain within the boundaries set by the law. Each drive becomes a celebration of motoring, a test of our ancestors' greatest accomplishments accompanied by a trial of the driver's competence as he/she masters an unsychronised gearbox and practises control of a bias-ply drift without an electronic safety net.

In reality, classic car drivers are among the few real kings/queens of the road. Whether blasting along an open road in a challenging vintage sportster, or cruising through downtown in a flamboyantly styled saloon, these people are free in their own bubble of euphoria.

So, do I shun progress? Not at all! Modern cars are marvelous showcases of engineering prowess, and many have already secured their place as future classics. However, the ability to be the master of, say, a Porsche 911 for one-tenth of the selling price of the modern equivalent (not to mention depreciation) is tempting at the least. In addition, while they may not be as bright and fancy as the latest offerings, classics have a simple magic of their own. For as it is, on occasion, refreshing to listen to The Who on vinyl, or to gaze upon the undoctored image of Farrah Fawcett in 1970, it is equally exhilarating to take in the simple joys of cars from a day long since gone.

However, this is my view, and it may not be reflective of all of you. Feel free to discuss your own feelings here, whether positive or negative.

[drunken monkey]

i'm not entirely sure i like the whole distinction between car and classic car.
i like and enjoy cars as objects in their own right no matter when it was made or even what it was for.
everything can only be appreciated within its time period which is why when people (and by people i mean intellgent adults) talk about all time great cars they can mention something from the 50s, 60s, 70s and any other time period because a great car isn't defined by how fast it goes, despite what the current crop of shallow minded kids will tell you.

you can make any car fast/faster but you can make a car great.
sure, your boxster s can whoop a LP400 around a track these days but the LP400 almost defined the modern supercar. At the very least it rendered everything else before it obselete when it broke covers back in the day. Go back a bit further and we have the gullwing which is possibly the first ever example of a supercar (by which i mean something that is at the extreme of what can be done in a road car). In all discussions i like to stress context because without it, nearly all things are meaningless. It is context that explains why the XJ220 ended up as a big joke whereas the F40 didn't.

[craigcully]

Agreed. I have the utmost respect for the new vehicles put out every year, but at the same time I have the passion and love for the classics. I can't say I like what some companies are doing trying to mesh the old with the new (the new Charger's a shining example), as a lot of them just seem to me like they are trying to cash in on the history of their namesakes. Just my two cents.

[eversio11]

I never got the appeal of classic cars, I would much rather sit in a modern, leather interior with perfect climate control.

It's all a matter of taste

[Rally Sport]

I think that i'd much rather have a classic over a new car, I mean the feeling of you driving a car without any ABS, traction control, and much electronics under the hood is unlike any other, especially since you're driving a car that more than likely made automotive history, or influenced it in one way or another, I mean i'd literally take a 1st generation vette that's powerplant is making around 150 HP, over a new Vette C6.. but I do guess its all in the matter of taste.

[jcsaleen]

What would be the classifacation between vintage & classic though?

[Heep]

Originally Posted by jcsaleen

What would be the classifacation between vintage & classic though?

I used them virtually synonymously in my post, but in general, vintage indicates old, while classic indicates significance from the past (often coinciding with old).

[MBTN]

Three words:
REAR WHEEL DRIVE

[PBking82]

As far as going places I prefer modern cars just for convinience but for pure enjoyment I prefer classics/vintage. I don't like having to drive to work in summer/winter with no heat/air. I like having ABS when I'm driving in really shitty conditions and traction control(although I don't have it in my car) is another great thing. I guess my point of difference is between driving/riding for necessity and driving/riding for enjoyment. Peace-

[Heep]

Originally Posted by PBking82

As far as going places I prefer modern cars just for convinience but for pure enjoyment I prefer classics/vintage. I don't like having to drive to work in summer/winter with no heat/air. I like having ABS when I'm driving in really shitty conditions and traction control(although I don't have it in my car) is another great thing. I guess my point of difference is between driving/riding for necessity and driving/riding for enjoyment. Peace-

Excellent point - At the moment, a classic is my only car, and, though the benefits outnumber and outweigh the downsides, it would indeed be nice to have a little buzzbox to pop down to the shops with...

For convenience, a modern car beats a classic anyday, but as a toy, it's hard to ignore a classic (and as MBTN noted, most are RWD!).

[Rally Sport]

Ohh yeah, its all about Rear wheel drive.. all these new cars with front wheel drive, is just bad, and kinda takes it out of the fun of driving, so is TC and ABS in my mind, but ABS was made because people are stupid and like stomping on the brakes, but sometimes its understandable like when a kid goes after the ball right infront of your car. TC though, in my experience hasnt been really that helpful. Oh well, classic cars are better than newer ones, no matter about your climate control crap and new leather seats.

[KustmAce]

Originally Posted by Rally Sport 92

Ohh yeah, its all about Rear wheel drive.. all these new cars with front wheel drive, is just bad, and kinda takes it out of the fun of driving, so is TC and ABS in my mind, but ABS was made because people are stupid and like stomping on the brakes, but sometimes its understandable like when a kid goes after the ball right infront of your car. TC though, in my experience hasnt been really that helpful. Oh well, classic cars are better than newer ones, no matter about your climate control crap and new leather seats.

Not everyone hot rods there car around. FWD is far more practical in icy/snowy/wet conditions than rear. As is TC and ABS.

[SupaMan89T]

in 1 year my car will be considered a classic! (1987 toyota supra) isnt it like after 20 years it becomes a classic or somethin?

[MBTN]

25 I think.

[balls_to_the_wall]

After 35 years, you can get an antique tag.