Reconnections

[lloyd3]

Talked to a buddy I'd haven't seen or spoken to in many years (10-15?). It wasn't anything deliberate, we're just in different places and thousands of miles apart. Not sure what triggered his phone call out of the blue, except that he's back in "the old country" to deal with some tax matters (he owns property there) and I'm sure something there triggered his memory.  Since my phone numbers have never changed (in 35-years), I was easy to find.

Long story short, we compared notes and got caught up. Since alot of my old friends are no-longer with us, I was surprised to see his name on my phone. I then left a lunch I was at with my wife and another old friend (it had wound-down to mostly girl-talk anyway) and took his call. When the topic of things turned to cars, he mentioned that he'd purchased a newer COPO Camaro with 1,000 horses and I dutifully congratulated him for having some fun toys (successful businessman, late 60s, no kids, never married). He later sent me a video of his car and the sounds of it's exhaust note (& it sounds pretty healthy). I struck me, however, that I was so-not interested in his new car. I don't even find it attractive...it's just so "who cares?" to me.  It's newer, it's lots of plastic, and it look like just another Camaro to me (zero visual interest, at least for me). 

I actually want to like it for his sake, but it's just so "meh". Some cars do it for me and some don't and it's clearly not just the performance aspects.  Nostalgia is clearly a very-real thing for many of us.

It also made me realize that some cars truly are "art" and some (most) are just cars. 

[Kern Dog]

Newer cars with their impressive performance invoke a different feel for me compared to classics.
For me, it isn't just the speed and power of a car that revs me up. I could quite easily enjoy an old car that is actually slower than a new car. The classic styling is a huge part of it along with the sounds, the smells and vibrations.
I drive old cars and feel surrounded by thoughts of all the history the car has lived through, how a car that was never intended to last 50+ years has actually done that and more. It is something that a new car might someday also reach but sure won't for me. I'll be gone in 50 years!

[timmycharger]

There is nothing like driving an old car, fast or slow.  The sounds, smells and feeling cannot be replicated from anything new in my opinion.

I've been to car shows where there are 3 or 4 hell cats/RTs or whatever but the biggest crowds are around the old stuff, even beat up ones.

Anyone with the money can write a check and get a new 1000HP machine but they are not making 68 Chargers anymore.

[70 sublime]

I like the old cars better
Even if the old car can go faster I tend to putter along just so the trip lasts longer   

[cdr]

I like old & new, I love my 2020 T/A 392, and my 68 Charger

[lloyd3]

cdr: I like your 2020 Challenger much-more than that COPO Camaro.  It better hints at it's heritage in my eyes (and the black livery seems far-more fitting) and I'm sure its good fun to drive.

There were just so-many Camaros made in my lifetime...