What I like and what I don't like

[joeceretti]

I like that my car is very basic compared to modern cars. I can figure out and repair just about any problem.

I don't like that the parts can be very hard to come by. Not even just very hard but practically impossible. I know some people have the parts but where on earth are they?!?! Scrap yards sure don't have them.

I would fix my car, sell it, and get something that has newer technology but the increased complexity scares me a bit (a lot). I don't want to have to pay someone to rebuild every component because it requires specialist knowledge that takes years to gain. Where is the enjoyment in that?

What I like: I can restore this car as new (mostly) myself. I love that.

How do you feel about this?

[chrisntam]

What I don't like is the dashboard on my '70 is missing a thermometer that tells me the outside temperature, the steering wheel is missing audio controls, but most of all, I think I miss looking on the right side while driving AND THERE IS NO MIRROR OVER THERE.   

But the '70 looks going down the road.  Can't beat it (what I say)!

Great topic to discuss!

And I agree about parts.  You have to plan what you want to do to the car since most local places ain't gonna have what you need.

[R Schroeder]

30's - 40's - 50's - 60's..............Been there done that.
Nothing like a 78 Coupe DeVille  for me.
Easy to work on, and nice to drive.
Roy

[camelot]

Have to agree with Joe on everything but "sell it".  Parts? Yeah hard to come by is an understatement for my 75 series. But I've met a lot of nice people at car shows by just looking for the parts. The thumbs up are priceless, especially when its from a teenager in a jeep with no doors on it.

[Jay Friedman]

I don't miss any of the mod cons my '49 doesn't have except perhaps air conditioning in the summer.  In fact, by '49 many of the others mentioned like right side mirrors were available.  Also, the defroster has passages to the front side windows and will even take care of the back windows if you leave it on long enough. 

In addition, unlike some other year models mentioned, almost all '49 parts are readily available either new, reproduced or used.  The exceptions are a few body and trim parts, but even these can usually be found with perseverance and/or enough $$.   

[D.Yaros]

It appears the absence of an outside rear view mirror-right side is a major irritant?  More likely than not for 50's and 60's year rides the mirror was available as a dealer option.  In many instances the mirror is the same as the factory installed driver side rear view mirror.

That being so, this is a relatively easy fix.  It was for me on my Olds.

More of an irritant for me is the fact the the right side outside mirror on a 1955 CDV, when properly placed, is totally useless! 

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Certain things I don't like with an older car.  With my 70, I have to use the key to unlock the door, and I have to pump the gas to start it.

Certain things I like about an older car.  With my 70, I have to use the key to unlock the door and I have to pump the gas to start it.......

It's all about the mindset.  I don't have it because I want the modern conveniences, I have it because it doesn't.   I do have to admit being realistic tho, I put in a working radio, I did put in 'real' seatbelts and lets face it, I need air conditioning (think St. Louis Summer).
Jeff

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

OMG - heaven forbid we must prime the pump before starting, manually unlock the doors and succumb to listening to the crackle and nasal squawk squawk of AM radio.

To quote Hyman Roth in The Godfather,  "THIS is the field we have chosen." It is what separates the hard core old car enthusiast from the general public - and love every minute of it!

Eric

[Martin Michaels]

The question is what I don't like about my old car,thats not a    thing.One thing I live in New York and can't drive them all year long.Use a pick-up for winter.

[P Cedergren]

I have driven my 1967 Chr*sler N*w Y*rker coupe as a daily driver for a few years now (exception being right as is snows, but as soon as it's plowed -usually the next day- I drive it again).
I travel for a living and I drive a lot of brand new rental cars so it's easy making a comparison.

You can't beat fuel injection for drivability or mileage. With most carbureted cars it can be a bit tricky to keep the engine alive until it's warmed up. At the very least it will stumble and sputter a bit, but only for the first 10 minutes.
You can't beat electronic ignition, no points to ever adjust. I have overcome this by installing a 70's Chr*sler electronic ignition, a "bolt on" modification using all factory parts.
OK, the sound system is much better in new cars, but I have an AM/FM with an iPod connector in the '67, and I am happy with that.
The lack of a right side mirror on the '67 is a bit of an annoyance, but it doesn't really bother me.
"Silence is golden". Although the '67 is actually very quiet inside, newer cars are dead silent compared to it.
Heating system. The '67 doesn't even compare to new cars. It takes forever to get it cozy in the middle of winter. Just being able to see thru the windshield can be quite difficult for the first 10 minutes in 0 F temperatures...
No rear defogger or defroster on the '67. This plus the lack of a right hand mirror makes you quite unaware of the surroundings for the first 20 minutes from a cold start in the middle of winter.
As far as not having the convenience of remote power door locks, it doesn't bother me. The only place I lock the car is at the airport parking, plus if I have something valuable inside (which is not very often).
As far as engine power, transmission shifting, brakes, no big difference.

So why do I have a 47 year old car as a daily driver? Because I love it!
The size is simply great! And I love the side view of the car, it looks fantastic! And cruising with all windows down and the arm resting on the outside of the door ('67 Chr*slers have a "shelf" which seems like it's made to put your arm on) keeping up with the rush hour traffic of econoboxes is a great feeling. And the sound of a big cubic inch V8 exhaust, how can you possibly beat that?!

As far as parts, I have never had a problem getting wear and tear parts. Of course it may not be in stock, but I can usually get it in a couple of days when needed. Body parts is a totally different story. Something seemingly simple like a bumper can be difficult to find. And expensive.

Gotta go,
Per

[Ivan Z.]

My daily driver is a 1971 Australian Holden (think mid-sized early 70's Buick) wagon. 3 wires going to the motor (oil press. and ignition and start solenoid). 2 x bench seats. No air conditioning (it gets REAL hot here, but I haven't been killed by the heat yet, I just make sure all my windows are down.
99% of problems can be fixed with a 1/2" X 9/19" spanner, or a screwdriver. No electronics. 
My Caddy (60 coupe) is only a couple of steps up, with a few extra gizmos, but can be repaired with minimal outlay for special tools or "Diagnostic equipment".
What I like is that I can change a water pump, wheel bearing, hell, even a battery without taking out a loan from the bank, or removing half the panels to get to stuff.
What I also like is that deep inner feeling when someone says "I just had my 2012 XXX serviced and it ONLY cost me $350".  Servicing one of our old cars may run you $50 if you buy some fancy oil!
What I don't like..................nothing yet.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

You know, shhhhhhh!  What a GREAT problem to have.
We are all lucky!!

Besides, I don't mind manually unlocking the doors---- I need the exercise 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

What I like?   Buying a cadillac, or anything with cash, which means I can afford it.

What I don't like?   Having to make payments on anything.

Bruce.

[GeoCad]

I had a 1985 Fleetwood, Everything worked and worked well, the only thing I didnt like about it was the 4.1. I took it on a few LONG trips. On the road I would kick it into passing gear to pass someone and I DIDN'T, sounded like it but didnt go any faster. Sold it and now have the 1974. Drove it from Va to Miami, I think it rides better than the 85. Here is a pic of the 1985.

[cadillacmike68]

What I don't like is the dashboard on my '70 is missing a thermometer that tells me the outside temperature, the steering wheel is missing audio controls, but most of all, I think I miss looking on the right side while driving AND THERE IS NO MIRROR OVER THERE.   

But the '70 looks going down the road.  Can't beat it (what I say)!

Great topic to discuss!

And I agree about parts.  You have to plan what you want to do to the car since most local places ain't gonna have what you need.

You can get the right side mirror Chris. and with a convertible, what are you doing with the top up??

Parts availability is the biggest PITA for me at present. Not body / trim, but wear items such as rotors, axles, pulleys, etc.

Jeff, try reaching over on a 68 to lock or unlock; you can't even see it, let alone reach it. but power locks were available.

I have driven my 1967 Chr*sler N*w Y*rker coupe as a daily driver for a few years now (exception being right as is snows, but as soon as it's plowed -usually the next day- I drive it again).
I travel for a living and I drive a lot of brand new rental cars so it's easy making a comparison.

You can't beat fuel injection for drivability or mileage. With most carbureted cars it can be a bit tricky to keep the engine alive until it's warmed up. At the very least it will stumble and sputter a bit, but only for the first 10 minutes.
You can't beat electronic ignition, no points to ever adjust. I have overcome this by installing a 70's Chr*sler electronic ignition, a "bolt on" modification using all factory parts.
OK, the sound system is much better in new cars, but I have an AM/FM with an iPod connector in the '67, and I am happy with that.
The lack of a right side mirror on the '67 is a bit of an annoyance, but it doesn't really bother me.
"Silence is golden". Although the '67 is actually very quiet inside, newer cars are dead silent compared to it.
Heating system. The '67 doesn't even compare to new cars. It takes forever to get it cozy in the middle of winter. Just being able to see thru the windshield can be quite difficult for the first 10 minutes in 0 F temperatures...
No rear defogger or defroster on the '67. This plus the lack of a right hand mirror makes you quite unaware of the surroundings for the first 20 minutes from a cold start in the middle of winter.
As far as not having the convenience of remote power door locks, it doesn't bother me. The only place I lock the car is at the airport parking, plus if I have something valuable inside (which is not very often).
...
Gotta go,
Per

Per, I notice you are talking about a chrysler; of course the heater won't be as good as a 67-70 Cadillac with Climate Control. These work beautifully when well maintained.

Startup? GM V8s with the while-running points adjustment are super easy to maintain, and mine usually takes an entire 1/10 of a second to start when cold and runs fine while warming up. I'm in FL, but my 1970 Fleetwood acted the same way in MA.

Audio systems have definitely improved, but I still keep the original radio (working) and added an under dash unit for FM and CD listening.

Quietness, my 1970 Fleetwood Brougham was Very quiet. The 1968 convertible much less so, but there were millions of 80s and 90s chrysler convertibles that were much worse. I know, I drove some.

Cadillacs had rear defoggers even back then. And the Climate Control keeps the interior from fogging up (unless you in some heavy-duty non-moving action     ). Starting in 1968 a large shrouded (but still not very useful) right side mirror was available.

I just got done with a 600 mile road trip in the 1968 and the car had no real issues. That's what I like!