This week is going to be a little different. I'm not going to be comparing cars or giving a run down of a particular classic. This week is about the nature of classic cars as they are now, and the things that could be possible.
I'm of the mind that some designs should not be altered. Why try to fix it if its not broken? I understand the principal of innovation in design, I'm all for it in fact. There are times when some things deserve to be left alone; left to their original glory and stature and preserved in that state. As a car enthusiast and student of restoration I find the work that goes into restoring and maintaining a classic car, truck, or motorcycle an en devour worth the effort. Muscle cars and cruisers, lead sleds and drag cruisers, they bring us back to a simpler time and remind us what true craftsmanship and ingenuity look like. I'm not trying to take away from the cars of this or any other generation, but fact stands that when a car becomes a classic it becomes something to be respected as well as admired.
With that said, why can't we keep the same style and design of these classics and produce them with modern methods and materials? With all of the innovations in automotive technology and manufacturing you can't tell me that it couldn't be done. Safety could be greatly improved in the vehicles as well, I have a 1967 Chevy C10; it's a beautiful truck and it still hurts my heart that I had to leave it in storage while I am stationed in Germany. My greatest fear while driving that truck is getting in a head on collision with just about anything. You see the truck only had lap belts and while it would be easy to swap out the original belts for a three point seat belt set, I am doing my best to keep the truck as original as possible. Sadly if I ever wish to take my kids for a drive one day I will be forced to change some things around. If newer models of classic designs were produced they could have all the best safety features offered by their respective manufacturers. Fuel economy could also be improved through a number of different things: Newer and lighter alloys such as aluminum and high strength steel could be used to construct the body and frame to reduce the weight of the vehicle, engines could be designed for greater fuel economy while still providing the optional power and torque of a high performance machine. Comfort and options inside the vehicle could be modernized while still maintaining a classic look and feel inside the cab.
The point of this article is really a simple one: Why can't we have a car that looks like it's classic contemporaries without altering it to the point of being unrecognizable? I love the new Camaro, the Challenger, and the Mustang; but they have picked and chose from previous generations to create something all together different. That's the nature of the beast though, it's about pushing limits in design and production to create something exciting and new. That doesn't mean that we couldn't benefit from having cars and trucks from the 60's, 70's and 80's maybe even the 50's recreated in their original outward appearance, but re-imagined on the inside.
I know I'd be one of the first ones in line to buy one if they did.
I agree, but I feel like there is a HUGE subset of classic car collectors that would not like this type of rehash of the older classic cars, as far as safety they would need to change A LOT the reason safety is so much better then it was in the late 60-70s is mostly due to using lighter materials and plastics that absorb the force of the colliding objects. Even with better sit belts a head on collision with anything would almost guarantee there would be people laying on the pavement because all the force of the object in question is transferred to the people inside instead of to the materials of the vehicle. I digress, I would love to have a car that looked like a 67-69 Camaro(non-RS, hate those headlights) that had the same internal workings of my Australian suspension 2010 Camaro. However, I am not sure GM or any other car company wants to make a replica because of all the collectors backlash. They will probably forever stay with making it look similar but modern.
ReplyDeleteI see where you're coming from, and it makes me sad. Mostly because you're right about the stir it would cause in the classic car "purest" groups. oh well, it's a nice thought I guess.
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