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When I was working for VW in sales, we had this one metallic color that was an eggplant/brown metallic color on a tan interior. I don't recall the name of it... I thought that it looked pretty cool, but seemed to be the only one (I dubbed it "sensual chocolate"), since the car sat on the lot for a year and a half and was ultimately bought by a really cheap dork who didn't care what sort of car it was, what color it was, what the options were... he just wanted the best deal. Those people were probably the most annoying to deal with when I sold cars...
It was like when we took in a green or yellow Jetta in on trade... we were always reluctant to take them in on trade no matter how pristine they were, because no one wanted them. It was a love-or-hate deal.
Anyways, when most people see an interior like this:
They don't get all misty eyed, and shake their head at how today's cars just look so boring and dull compared to the good old days.
They think of this:
They imagine the smell of decades of stale tobacco. They think of sleazy lounges that still have cigarette vending machines with fake woodgrain facades. They think of guys in leisure suits saying things like, "that's the brakes, baby!" and asking if they want to come back to their suite at the Holiday Inn with them.
Carmakers do not want to invoke feelings like this, no. They want you to look at this:
The times have-a-changed, my friends. The times have-a-changed. And the styles changed with them.
I know it's hard to believe that a Toyota-made vehicle (Lexus) can ride smoother than the flagship of the American fleet circa 1970, but it shouldn't be surprising... it's got four decades of engineering on it. I know it's amazing that you can't impress an early-20-something co-ed with velour barcalounger-like chairs, but don't feel bad... I can't impress them with my favorite selections from the 90's anymore, either.
The comments about having many choices to pick from when getting a new 50"s,60's, or 70's vehicle,brought me back to the day I ordered my very first car.
I was 17, and saved my money ,having worked since I was 13 years old.
In October of 1956, I ordered a new 57 Ford convertible.
I had one color, and one color only in mind when I ordered the car.
I knew I wanted a two tone car, and the Ford colonial white was the light color I wanted, then the contrasting color I wanted came out of one of my mom's good housekeeping mags.
In that magazine was a picture of a window with dark purple drapes, and that color really did it for me.
I took the picture with me to the ford dealer, and the salesman said he would forward the request.
Three days later he told me it would be on my new convertible.
Seven weeks later, I picked up my new convertible, and it was stunning to say the least.
I wish I still had pictures of that car.
I have attached a picture of a similar car to the one I had.
This one is exactly like mine, right down to the fender skirts, and continental kit.
Where this one is darker blue, mine was dark purple, and where lighter blue, mine was colonial white.
The interior was black and white.
Pretty sharp car for a teen just out of high school.
The choices back then were plentiful, and dealers went far and beyond to satisfy a customer.
I wonder what the dealers would say today if you walked in with a picture from a magazine and said, "I want this color "?
They would laugh you right out of the showroom.
You can click the image to enlarge.
When I was working for VW in sales, we had this one metallic color that was an eggplant/brown metallic color on a tan interior. I don't recall the name of it... I thought that it looked pretty cool, but seemed to be the only one (I dubbed it "sensual chocolate"), since the car sat on the lot for a year and a half and was ultimately bought by a really cheap dork who didn't care what sort of car it was, what color it was, what the options were... he just wanted the best deal. Those people were probably the most annoying to deal with when I sold cars...
It was like when we took in a green or yellow Jetta in on trade... we were always reluctant to take them in on trade no matter how pristine they were, because no one wanted them. It was a love-or-hate deal.
Anyways, when most people see an interior like this:
They don't get all misty eyed, and shake their head at how today's cars just look so boring and dull compared to the good old days.
They think of this:
They imagine the smell of decades of stale tobacco. They think of sleazy lounges that still have cigarette vending machines with fake woodgrain facades. They think of guys in leisure suits saying things like, "that's the brakes, baby!" and asking if they want to come back to their suite at the Holiday Inn with them.
Carmakers do not want to invoke feelings like this, no. They want you to look at this:
And think of this:
The times have-a-changed, my friends. The times have-a-changed. And the styles changed with them.
I know it's hard to believe that a Toyota-made vehicle (Lexus) can ride smoother than the flagship of the American fleet circa 1970, but it shouldn't be surprising... it's got four decades of engineering on it. I know it's amazing that you can't impress an early-20-something co-ed with velour barcalounger-like chairs, but don't feel bad... I can't impress them with my favorite selections from the 90's anymore, either.
I much prefer the interiors of those first two cars than the other two cars. The first two look very comfortable.
The times do change... sometimes for the worse!
Who says a Lexus rides smoother than the flagship of American fleet circa 1970?
I usually stop by the Friday night Bob's Big Boy (in Northridge) car show. I see the same type of cars that I just say in the photo album of the one you posted the link to.
I also attend the Mopar Spring Fling in Van Nuys (the biggest Mopar car show west of the Mississippi) and the annual all-G.M. car show (with 100s of cars) both at Woodley Park.
I have seen at those cars shows cars worth a lot of money. And yes, cars with class.
Not quite. Classic cars are extremely popular at car shows. In fact, they are extremely popular, period. Examples in excellent condition are worth a lot of money.
Quote:
I'm not getting into it with you
Nothing to get into. A circa 1970 car like a Lincoln Continental, Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Sedan and Limousine had an extremely smooth ride. Due to several factors... a long wheelbase, heavy weight and suspension elements like unsprung weight.
All in all I don't think yesterdays cars are more comfortable than todays cars. Maybe the seats were larger, the suspension was "classic-like", but essentialy many seats had no lateral support compared to todays Audis or BMW in which I have the feeling the seats are just made to fit me.
The air suspension of todays Mercedes S-Class is very good, and comfort also means a very smooth riding with high speed. Old cars are often very loud (due to air streams) and today the sound engineers guarantee less wind sound.
Regarding interior styling, I'd go for Audi and BMW, regarding interior comfort I'd prefer Mercedes or Cadillac.
The older cars were smooth, they typically handled like a boat too...simply floating over imperfections in the road, but whipping the wheel to one side or the other at speed could result in some very undesirable traits.
Old cars are very popular, but for the vast majority of folks they're not the best daily drivers. They're great to look at on the show circuit, they're the perfect ride for perfect days. But when it's raining, snowing, sleeting, or you're headed on along road trip the classic probably gets the joy of staying in the garage while the "modern" workhorse takes to the road.
The older cars were smooth, they typically handled like a boat too...simply floating over imperfections in the road, but whipping the wheel to one side or the other at speed could result in some very undesirable traits.
Old cars are very popular, but for the vast majority of folks they're not the best daily drivers. They're great to look at on the show circuit, they're the perfect ride for perfect days. But when it's raining, snowing, sleeting, or you're headed on along road trip the classic probably gets the joy of staying in the garage while the "modern" workhorse takes to the road.
I really need to disagree with your comments.
It is not my daily driver, but I usually take the Tbird out somewhere everyday.
Many of those miles are on the freeway, and this car rides incredibly smooth, and handles fine.
Could be because it has all new suspension, and I would put it up against anything made today for driving comfort.
Bob.
for me i want the most gadgets, the best upholstery, the best look.
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