Old car VS new car
- Thread starter C Body Bob
- Start date
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
I know for a fact there are only two types of engineers.
One that agonizes over it down to the molecular level and still isn't satisfied.
The other is the one that looks at it and wants to remove stuff.
The ratio of the two is different now than it was in the 50's & 60's.
The gum'mint did that.
One that agonizes over it down to the molecular level and still isn't satisfied.
The other is the one that looks at it and wants to remove stuff.
The ratio of the two is different now than it was in the 50's & 60's.
The gum'mint did that.
Those are some real dick comments.
My Challenger is not for sale at any price & they can sell it when I'm dead.
Bandit makes some bold claims for an engineer - namely that there really was a 100 mpg carburetor in the 70s but it was squelched by the oil companies (given the energy in gasoline and even the most optimistic efficiency estimate of a piston engine, rolling resistance and wind resistance this is absurd), that his 400HP 400 engine 73 Polara can do 160 mph in comfort with 5 guys aboard and still have plenty of throttle at 120 mph and lay your head back when it accelerates from there (laughable or that it even represents normal old cars), and to claim that "the key to better gas mileage in case no one knows, is to keep your throttle plates as CLOSED as possible" (the reality is that driving with a throttle open as wide as possible at a given speed is the best way to achieve fuel economy because it greatly reduces pumping losses - for example, take an engine and lug it down with a numerically low axle ratio and you will get the best fuel economy (like today's cars' cylinder deactivation, overdrive transmissions or smaller displacement turbo engines) - not the other way around as Bandit says) and he can get 32 mpg whenever he wants to.
Stormer, given these examples of engineering expertise and judgment, I would take his comments as a compliment.
70NPORT
Old Man with a Hat
My car (70 Chrysler) happens to be my daily driver. Wouldn't have it any other way. Seems like it has way more character than anything modern PLUS I don't need a Sun diagnostic console to figure out what is wrong when theres a problem. No OBD I, II or III, no facebook access, no navigation, no rear camera, no pandora...Just turn the key and drive. KISS is a beautiful thing.
I've been reading this thread for some time and decided to add my 2 cents.
You have to look at each era's of cars and technology really made the difference. Machining advances and innovations had an impact as it does even today.
If you look just at the C-bodies. Technology wise....The Fusie's were better than the Slab's and the Formal's (except power steer pumps) were better than the Fusie's.
As far as modern technology, for the most part they have made great improvements but they have their problems too. Most of the time trying to use technology to make things more cheaply in production costs. Look at the current GM ignition switch problems. My Titan rear axle is a Dana 44, it's been around forever and used in many vehicle applications. They tried using technology to design lower production cost parts and the axle seals were a big problem and cost billions to replace because of the massive amount of labor time it took to replace the $2 seal.
I believe the argument really is about how technology has changed over the years from using the old standard of metal and chrome/stainless to the advances in plastic and composite material being engineered to be stronger, lighter, and more effective in performance, strength, weight reduction, and production costs.
You have to look at each era's of cars and technology really made the difference. Machining advances and innovations had an impact as it does even today.
If you look just at the C-bodies. Technology wise....The Fusie's were better than the Slab's and the Formal's (except power steer pumps) were better than the Fusie's.
As far as modern technology, for the most part they have made great improvements but they have their problems too. Most of the time trying to use technology to make things more cheaply in production costs. Look at the current GM ignition switch problems. My Titan rear axle is a Dana 44, it's been around forever and used in many vehicle applications. They tried using technology to design lower production cost parts and the axle seals were a big problem and cost billions to replace because of the massive amount of labor time it took to replace the $2 seal.
I believe the argument really is about how technology has changed over the years from using the old standard of metal and chrome/stainless to the advances in plastic and composite material being engineered to be stronger, lighter, and more effective in performance, strength, weight reduction, and production costs.
C Body Bob
Old Man with a Hat
In my 30 plus years of working in the auto industry I have meet several engineer's. I have also done many different jobs as I worked my way up. From working in a slavage yard removing parts, to an ASE certified tech to a parts manager at a GM & Dodge dealership. I now own my own business. In the early 80's when I decided to get my ASE certification I enrolled in a good local tech school. There were 2 instructors. 1 was a retired ASE engineer & the other was a retired Chrysler techinal field rep. Both of the men where very briliant. Both had hugh egos. Both where positive & had the attitude there was nothing on planet earth they couldn't fix (mechanicaly wise) I could tell they both where proud of their accomplishments & rightfully so. Both where very happy to pass on their well earned knowledge to us students. I am proud to have known both of them!!!! In 1992 a buddy & I went to Talladega, Alabama speedway to see the Dodge IROC cars & also to see Bob Kesalowski (Brads dad) racing his LeBaron in the ARCA race. After the race as we where leaving we saw a Mopar booth outside the main gate of the track. It looked like Larry Sheppard was manning it. Mr Sheppard was a key engineer for Mopar & Direct Connection performance parts. So we went over to talk with him. Same as the other 2 . Tons of knowledge, willing to share it with us as long as we where willing to listen. Yes hugh ego. Very proud of his work at Chrysler. Very nice man. An absolute pleasure to meet him!!! He was %100 bragging about all the great things he & other engineers at Chrysler where doing. I think he was right to be that way. They made some pretty good products in the 90's. So says me C Body Bob !
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
C Body Bob
Old Man with a Hat
[/QUOTE
you saw I look just like Brad Pitt so you know I'm entertaining.
C Body Bob
Old Man with a Hat
And all this time I thought the Butler did it.
This has been a very interesting thread. We all know there are pros cons to both sides. I agree that todays cars are all about fuel economy and safety. That is what is advertised. I have two kids, 4yr old girl and 2yr old boy, and I feel safer taking them around in my 76 F100 than my wife's little plastic 2011 Honda Accord with all 20 airbags. That is the reason Im making this 65 Newport four door a daily forme and the kids. I trust that tough, heavy, tank over the "Years top safety pick". I do have to say that most new cars are ugly and have no style. Not all of them. There are some I really like. I also know that I can take a toolbox with me in an older car or truck from the 60s or 70s and if I break down....I can most of the time fix right there. If a computer module goes out while driving, call a ride. Which you probably have full coverage with towing so it is still no problem, but I have watched a $1000 job on a car that needed some new computer module or something, and the guy went over to the hood, unplugged what looked like a flash drive and replaced it...job done....$1000 bill.
monaco75
Senior Member
My daily is an 03 ram. Right before all the bluetooth, cameras, internet, and other bull s#it. If I want to get on the puter, I'll get on right here behind my laptop. I can turn my head to see where I'm going. I can also park my own car. Scary to me what some of these new options are. I'm a big guy, and I like my comfort in the truck. I'll pay the extra in gas for it. However I have a short drive to work everyday.
Regardless every era of car has its good, and bad points. But to say that technology has gone down hill is just plain arrogent. Come on!
At the same time though, I'm surprised to hear some of you are afraid to drive your classics as a daily. My formal has been my daily more then a few times. And it did, and will do a damn good job at it still. I've jumped in it and drove cross country without a second though. I'd trust it, before I'd trust my truck. 2 things I would add to it to make it a little more convenient would be remote keyless entry, and power windows. Other then that I would be just fine with it for everyday use.
Regardless every era of car has its good, and bad points. But to say that technology has gone down hill is just plain arrogent. Come on!
At the same time though, I'm surprised to hear some of you are afraid to drive your classics as a daily. My formal has been my daily more then a few times. And it did, and will do a damn good job at it still. I've jumped in it and drove cross country without a second though. I'd trust it, before I'd trust my truck. 2 things I would add to it to make it a little more convenient would be remote keyless entry, and power windows. Other then that I would be just fine with it for everyday use.
Some cup holders would be nice....
Excellent point there... 2.99 can at least give you the window holders...something to hold your drink.
You can't put your beer in the window...
Touche
[/QUOTE
you saw I look just like Brad Pitt so you know I'm entertaining.
Aw sh*t.......
We have "TWO" Brad Pitt's on this forum now. LOL!
C Body Bob
Old Man with a Hat
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