21st Dec 2010, 13:15

"Sorry to enlighten you, but look up the stats; modern cars in all sizes are way heavier than their forebears."

I did, and they are actually pretty darn close and within a couple hundred pounds. I looked up the '70 Challenger and Mustang, and compared them to today's cars, and they are darn near equal.

Most of the modern cars like the Fusion and Altima sedans run pretty close to the weight of an old car as well.

I am thinking the older cars suffered from poor tire technology and suspension technology, so getting off the line was a lot harder.

21st Dec 2010, 22:18

20:02 You act like showing your car is fatal if it's not stock. I currently have my stock matching # block out of my car that will be rebuilt. In the interim, I have twice the HP. I can enter shows by simply filling out my dash card as modified. I win shows, same as before. The judges do not kick you out you; just enter the proper class.

In addition, I have been in shows as stock before mixed with modified cars judged by the public. I have a garage full of nice trophies as People Choice, Ladies Choice, Mall Merchant Award etc. My car is totally reversible, can go back to stock and I still have the matching # block. The next buyer can put it back if they want, but I like the more HP. My car looks stock, great, correct repaint, just a modern drivetrain. A lot of guys now put in a Tremec 5 speed and pull the old 4 speeds out for long distance shows and cruises. But save the original trans!

No Camry will pass me, not that I care. I like the best of old and new.

1st Jan 2011, 16:04

"No Camry will pass me, not that I care. I like the best of old and new."

Maybe not, but you'll have to work hard to keep them from it if they are determined. The V-6 Camry does 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, and with the speed limiter unhooked, they are probably actually faster on top end (as a 4.0 Mustang would be as well). Older muscle cars with lower gearing are dog-slow on the top end compared to even modern 4-cylinder compacts. My friend was so embarrassed, he could have crawled under a rock when his '69 Chevelle SS 396 was left in the dust by a Ford Fusion.

2nd Jan 2011, 11:45

I have a restored 1970 Chevelle 55 mint big block 4 speed, and am not embarrassed by Camry or Fusions. In fact I pay zero attention. They can rev and do burnouts on the street. I see that crap all the time. The tuners have something to prove; let's see how popular they will remain over the test of time. Everywhere I go in my 70, it gets tremendous compliments; pumping gas, going to charity shows and cruise nights. I can go to the mall parking lot and walk past the Camrys, and keep going by them with boredom. I do like the modern Fords styling however for a family car.

3rd Jan 2011, 12:06

I love going to car shows and seeing the beautiful old classics, as well as the customized cars that owners have obviously lavished a lot of attention on. My favorites are cars from the 50's and late model custom Mustangs. Probably my least favorite are the box-stock Mustangs. Why bring a car to a car show that you can see dozens of on a dealers lot? Leave it at home and get a '57 Chevy or a beautiful Chevelle SS like the last commenter. Late model stocks draw very little attention.

3rd Jan 2011, 14:16

I have had 2 identical nameplates sharing my garage. The dilemma was always which one. The old or the new? There is more than speed. The new car has the edge if you want to go long distance trips, and things like security and factory alarm and fuel cutoff. The new one is a cocoon... very insulated and easy enough for my mother to drive. The sensation of speed more looking at the dash in disbelief. It's isolated from the road. It seems much slower than what it reads.

However... turn the key on the old one, a well done restoration, and see the smile appear. It's hard to even describe, but it's unbeatable. To drive a piece of history that has been the result of many hours of restoration, searching for every correct part over time, the cuts, scrapes, burns. The friends and family that helped at night, weekends, winning the first trophy, seeing someones eyes light up at a car show seeing the work involved. I remember one young kid totally lighting up in particular that loved my car. I told his dad he could sit in it, and his dad took his picture. I have pics of my kids seeing me win a trophy on fathers day. My sons helped me detail mine. I have been in charity shows that my car raised money to help.

When you turn the key and enjoy the experience, it's more than burnouts or than my newer one is 1 second quicker 0-60. I am proud of both, but my older car is very special. It's rare, and it went the extra mile to go through it. A lot of planning and time and money. A lot of waiting for some parts. Unless you can own one, it's not something that may sink in.

My cousin (also a baby boomer) graduated college, and still has his Challenger that his dad bought him for graduation. That car is very special, especially with his dad gone. With that car, his dad is with him every time he has it out. I hope he gets a new one in time to park with the other one. He understands my feelings on the passion for cars. Going fast is only part of it. You may pass us by, but we are not saddened til we get home, pop on the battery tender and close the garage doors.