When cars were serious machines

All those old cars look really nice - classy & nostalgic.
But in a crash, the fact that they're solid & don't crush means the energy is absorbed by the passengers.
That's why the cars looked better than newer cars after accidents, but the passengers are often dead.
 

Packerjohn said:
Sorry no photos but my 1st car was a 1956 Chevy and my 2nd car was a 1956 Oldsmobile '98. That 98 was really someting; a hard top, leather seats, V-8 motor, plenty of chrome and power everything. These older cars had glamour, style and real sex appeal. I don't especially like the new cars because they all look alike. Seems the only colour that most people buy is either black or white. How boring! Yes, they get better mileage and they have all sorts of electronics "bells and whistles" but sorry to say, "They ain't got no sex appeal." By the way, I drive a rather boring 2018 Ford Focus Titanium.
Click to expand...
Just for Packerjohn
R.jpg
 
debodun said:
Some of the cars that were in my family. I remember the Impala and the Vista Cruiser.

View attachment 187940View attachment 187941View attachment 187942View attachment 187943
Click to expand...
The second car across the top is close to being like my first car, a 1950 Olds Rocket '88. I can't tell if the Olds in the picture is a 1950, but it's close. The best part of that car was the suicide knob on the steering wheel. I wrecked it the night that I picked it up. My dad was fuming.
 
All right, guys.
Need something to get your heart started ?
Put on your headphones and enjoy the sound of American testosterone.
The greatest Hollywood car chase scene ---Bullitt 1968
 
Last edited:
Maybe the old styles will return when we all have
to have electric cars, just to change the looks and
we can all identify them from a long way off.

Mike.
 
Mike said:
Maybe the old styles will return when we all have
to have electric cars, just to change the looks and
we can all identify them from a long way off.

Mike.
Click to expand...
I don't think so. We've learned about the importance of aerodynamics & if electric cars started looking like they did in the 50's & 60's, run times would be much shorter & charges would be much more frequent.
 
Last edited:
senior chef said:
All right, guys.
Need something to get your heart started ?
Put on your headphones and enjoy the sound of American iron.
The greatest Hollywood car chase scene ---Bullitt 1968
Click to expand...
LOL - I read that a cameraman was lying on the floor during that chase to film the in-the-car scenes & he was yelling at Steve to slow down. By the time that scene was complete, his pants were wet.
 
senior chef said:
All right, guys.
Need something to get your heart started ?
Put on your headphones and enjoy the sound of American testosterone.
The greatest Hollywood car chase scene ---Bullitt 1968
Click to expand...

There were a few scenes where I thought either car was going to fall over .... like the Laugh-In tricycle......:rolleyes:

The "Bullitt" recreation of 08/09 was stickered for $50,000 @ the local Ford dealer. They had two of them, both were already sold when I stopped by to look. Both sold to the same customer.
 
senior chef said:
1963 split rear window 'vette, stingray. Super rare today.
View attachment 187856
Click to expand...
Watching one of those restoration shows this weekend a gut paid $45,000 for one that was in serious need of a restoration. The story on why they are a limited edition is the rear window. The driver could barely see out the back. The Camaro will end in 2023 basically for the same reason, I thought of buying on in 2015 but decided not to because of that reason.
 
jaguar mk2.jpg

Luxury car maker Jaguar have announced the end of one era and hoped for the dawn another as it slammed the brakes on production of fossil fuelled cars. The marque is dropping the internal combustion engine from its entire range by 2025, marking a turning point in its 100-year history.

Jaguar said it will only offer electric-powered vehicles from 2025. The company plans to spend about Ā£2.5bn a year on new technology.

(The photo is the actual car in the police drama, "Inspector Morse.")
 
fmdog44 said:
The story on why they are a limited edition is the rear window. The driver could barely see out the back. The Camaro will end in 2023 basically for the same reason, I thought of buying on in 2015 but decided not to because of that reason.
Click to expand...
In Europe, and possibly on your side of the pond too, new trucks have all round cameras in stead of mirrors. It wouldn't take too much to put that technology into a car. https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/12/20191214-mirrorcam.html
 
horseless carriage said:
View attachment 187961

Luxury car maker Jaguar have announced the end of one era and hoped for the dawn another as it slammed the brakes on production of fossil fuelled cars. The marque is dropping the internal combustion engine from its entire range by 2025, marking a turning point in its 100-year history.

Jaguar said it will only offer electric-powered vehicles from 2025. The company plans to spend about Ā£2.5bn a year on new technology.

(The photo is the actual car in the police drama, "Inspector Morse.")
Click to expand...
Jeez, what a depressing thought.
Rather like growing up eating beef steak and now being unable to buy anything except tofu.
I am so glad I won't live to see it.
 
ATTENTION MECHANICS
I am NOT a mechanic , and I'd really like to know something about the 1968 Mustang GT that Steve McQueen drove in that chase scene. (see video in post #32)
In that video, observe the scene from 4:12 to 4:23
You will notice that when McQueen is reversing at high RPM's, his drivers side rear wheel is spinning and smoking. OK, fine. I thought that meant the car had posi-traction. BUT when he changes gears and drives off at high speed, you will see that ONLY ONE TIRE LEAVES RUBBER ON THE STREET (the passenger side rear tire) . So, that means there was no posi-traction.
Can anyone please explain how this could happen ????
 
My '65 Chevy Impala SS convertible is not a muscle car but is a great looker in pristine condition. I still own it and show it regularly. But I drive it rarely. It has the original 327 engine with 46,000 original miles. It also has factor A/C among other options.
65 Impala SS convertible.jpginterior.jpeg
 
senior chef said:
ATTENTION MECHANICS
I am NOT a mechanic , and I'd really like to know something about the 1968 Mustang GT that Steve McQueen drove in that chase scene. (see video in post #32)
In that video, observe the scene from 4:12 to 4:23
You will notice that when McQueen is reversing at high RPM's, his drivers side rear wheel is spinning and smoking. OK, fine. I thought that meant the car had posi-traction. BUT when he changes gears and drives off at high speed, you will see that ONLY ONE TIRE LEAVES RUBBER ON THE STREET (the passenger side rear tire) . So, that means there was no posi-traction.
Can anyone please explain how this could happen ????
Click to expand...
Simple, Ford nine inch rearends had what was called tru-trac.
The Truetrac operates as a standard or open differential under normal driving conditions, allowing one wheel to spin faster or slower as necessary. When a wheel encounters a loss of traction or the terrain changes, the gear separation forces take effect and transfer torque to the high-traction wheel. The helical-shaped gears mesh with increasing force until wheel spin is slowed or completely stopped. When the vehicle exits the low traction situation, the differential resumes normal operation.
 
squatting dog said:
Simple, Ford nine inch rearends had what was called tru-trac.
The Truetrac operates as a standard or open differential under normal driving conditions, allowing one wheel to spin faster or slower as necessary. When a wheel encounters a loss of traction or the terrain changes, the gear separation forces take effect and transfer torque to the high-traction wheel. The helical-shaped gears mesh with increasing force until wheel spin is slowed or completely stopped. When the vehicle exits the low traction situation, the differential resumes normal operation.
Click to expand...
I am not disputing what you say, but I'm still not clear.

Why would that result in only ONE tire leaving rubber burn marks on the pavement ?
I have been under the impression that posi-traction would always result in BOTH rear wheels leaving rubber burn marks on the pavement when the driver "floors it"
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top