SIGforum
Cars from the 1950’s, 1960’s & 1970’s looked so much better than the angular garbage from today
May 21, 2022, 02:29 PM
lymanCars from the 1950’s, 1960’s & 1970’s looked so much better than the angular garbage from today
quote:
Originally posted by stickman428:
I probably should have asked “what is your favorite American car you owned during that era”.
The Shelby is a solid choice. It would be near the top of my list.
I started driving in 1980.. so none?
however, high school buddy had a 66 Corvair Monza, similar to one my parents had when I was a tyke,
mom also had a 68 Tempest,
always thought Pontiacs had nice lines
https://chandlersfirearms.com/chesterfield-armament/
May 21, 2022, 02:38 PM
Jimbo54I never owned one, but I have always loved the looks of the '70' Chevy Chevelle SS 396.
Jim
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May 21, 2022, 02:39 PM
lymanquote:
Originally posted by egregore:
I would alter the premise a bit, to limit the model years from 1965-72. A few exceptions on either side exist, such as the '57 Chevy, but by and large this was the high point of American car styling. After that, the government forced emission controls (early emission controls drastically reduced performance) and (from the standpoint of styling) the 5 mph bumpers on them. I agree there is kind of a "sameness" to new cars. It is hard to tell until you get up close what make they even are.
A 1968 Ford Custom 500 ("stripped" version of the Galaxie, later the LTD) like this one (even the same color and pie pan hubcaps) was the family car, later the one I learned to drive and got my license in, circa the early 70s.
I always thought that was a good-looking car. I didn't have to hide when my dad drove me to school in it.
The later LTD, the Mustang, the Torino and the Mercury Cougar, Montego and Marquis (Steve McGarrett's car in the original Hawaii Five-O) were also nice. I also liked GM styling from the era, for example the Chevy Impala and Camaro, Pontiac LeMans/GTO, etc.
My real favorites, however, came from Mopar. Dodge Charger, 1968-70 (1970 model in
these images And the mechanically similar Plymouth Road Runner. My brother has an antique and muscle car collection including a 1970 Charger, '70 Road Runner Super Bird and '69 Road Runner convertible.
The full-size Chrysler, Imperial, Dodge and Plymouth cars were also attractive.
1969 Dodge Polara shown They may have been 25 feet long, but you could look out of the greenhouse-like windows and see over the hood/decklid exactly where the corners of the car were. You can't do that with any modern car that I've seen. I don't even try to parallel park my Toyota Corolla.
my grandparents had that car, in that color, only a 4 door,
had the Sears installed AC under the dash,
302 automatic, you had to wait till the cold light went of, or it would stall if you tried to drive it
https://chandlersfirearms.com/chesterfield-armament/
May 21, 2022, 02:55 PM
GT-40DOCquote:
Originally posted by pbslinger:
Does a GT40 count?
It certainly does in my book!!
May 21, 2022, 03:09 PM
V-Tailquote:
Originally posted by recoatlift:
Super nice ride! Say that trunk could easily fit Jimmmy Hoffa after a 4 course meal at Sparks Steak House.
הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים May 21, 2022, 03:13 PM
P226collectorquote:
Originally posted by darkest2000:
Not quite considered a "classic" by many and not all that fast either, but here's my 1973 Lincoln Continental...
That is a beautiful example ...do you take it to car shows or are you a member of the Lincoln and Continental Club?
https://lcocwestern.org/I am in OC too and recently acquired this;
May 21, 2022, 03:22 PM
Gustoferquote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
I never owned one, but I have always loved the looks of the '70' Chevy Chevelle SS 396.
A good buddy of mine had one of them, although not near as pretty. We drove it from Kalispell to LA once and made it in about 14 hours averaging roughly 90 the whole way (back in the 55 days). That was one fun trip. Great car.
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"Great danger lies in the notion that we can reason with evil." Doug Patton.
May 21, 2022, 03:23 PM
flashguyquote:
Originally posted by BBMW:
While an epochmaking car for it's time, I think the new ones look better.
quote:
Originally posted by flashguy:
This one (in my garage right now).
Trip2005F 018.jpg by
David Casteel, on Flickr
000_0070.jpg by
David Casteel, on Flickr
flashguy
Well, here's my current one (2006):
Must06_0047 by
David Casteel, on Flickr
Must06_0042 by
David Casteel, on Flickr
flashguy
Texan by choice, not accident of birth May 21, 2022, 05:23 PM
HRKThis weekend is Mecum Indy on Motortrend Channel
The few days I've watched theres been things from supercars to Brass Era, mostly 50's 60's 70's everything discussed here.
It's like being in a recliner at a rolling car show.
May 21, 2022, 08:19 PM
pbslingerquote:
Originally posted by GT-40DOC:
quote:
Originally posted by pbslinger:
Does a GT40 count?
It certainly does in my book!!
I'm not sure you're an objective source.
May 21, 2022, 08:23 PM
PASigMy question is HOW did people parallel park those BOATS from the 70’s? My God some of them seem like they’re 25 feet long!
I have a relatively small car with a backup camera and STILL sometimes have trouble parallel parking on my street.
May 21, 2022, 08:47 PM
hjs157quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
My question is HOW did people parallel park those BOATS from the 70’s?
Or fuel them? My father's 1973 Cadillac Coupe DeVille displaced 472 cubic inches @ ~7 mpg with premium fuel. It was a monster. There was likely more sheet metal in the hood and trunk alone than an entire Honda Civic.
May 21, 2022, 10:16 PM
nhracecraftquote:
Originally posted by flashguy:
quote:
Originally posted by BBMW:
While an epochmaking car for it's time, I think the new ones look better.
quote:
Originally posted by flashguy:
This one (in my garage right now).
flashguy
Well, here's my current one (2006)
The new ones have nothing on the '69 BOSS 302 in the looks dept!
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May 21, 2022, 10:38 PM
flashguyquote:
Originally posted by PASig:
My question is HOW did people parallel park those BOATS from the 70’s? My God some of them seem like they’re 25 feet long!
I have a relatively small car with a backup camera and STILL sometimes have trouble parallel parking on my street.
Well, we were taught how to do it and practiced it. Once learned with them, parking one now is easy.
p.s. Parking spots in lots and on the street were larger back then--8x20.
flashguy
Texan by choice, not accident of birth May 21, 2022, 10:55 PM
armoredquote:
Originally posted by PASig:
My question is HOW did people parallel park those BOATS from the 70’s? My God some of them seem like they’re 25 feet long!
I have a relatively small car with a backup camera and STILL sometimes have trouble parallel parking on my street.
Back in the day you learned how to operate a motor vehicle.
Besides parallel parking, there was driving a standard (manual transmission) and shifting from the steering column or the floor, Braking a heavy car with manual brakes, steering a heavy car without power steering, manually rolling up the windows and the vent windows, and no A/C.
Unless you were a female you best know how to change your own flat tire, check your own oil and antifreeze,and put air in your tires. Other males were NOT tolerant of men that could not perform those functions,most women did not find men that could not perform those functions very appealing, most expected there mate to do this for them.
May 21, 2022, 11:06 PM
sigmonkeyquote:
Originally posted by armored:...most women did not find men that could not perform those functions very appealing, most expected there mate to do this for them.
Most of us mated for life. And some of us even got married...
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! May 21, 2022, 11:46 PM
Lefty SigWhen I was in middle school in the mid 80's one of the local shops in town had a Boss 302 parked out front most days when I walked home. It was orange/black. At that time it was only 15-16 years old.
When I was 16 in '88 I worked at a gas station and one of the mechanics (or a friend of one, I don't remember) had a red/black Chevelle SS 396 just like the one above. I guess it was just under 20 years old at the time.
One guy at the gas station bought a late 60's Skylark and it was awesome until it got rear ended by some idiot.
These were just used cars back then, for the most part. We were excited about Mustang GT 5.0's and Camaro IROC's and the other cars of the 80's that we might hope to buy in a few years...
May 22, 2022, 08:16 AM
Johnny 3eaglesI would love to have my 1969 AMX back! It was a "sleeper" without the racing stripes.
If you're goin' through hell, keep on going.
Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it.
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.
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May 22, 2022, 12:07 PM
satchNot many Sedans on the road today, and all the SUVs look like jellybeans on wheels.
May 22, 2022, 12:17 PM
BBMWI saw a stretch limo parallel parked yesterday. I see full sized straight truck parallel parked all the time. It can be done. It takes some skill.
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
My question is HOW did people parallel park those BOATS from the 70’s? My God some of them seem like they’re 25 feet long!
I have a relatively small car with a backup camera and STILL sometimes have trouble parallel parking on my street.