How we dress and what we drive

[StanleyVanBuren]

I've driven a PT Cruiser (rental) and found it quite enjoyable. If I did own one. I think it would be the turbo version and grow flames almost immediately.

Actually, there aren't a lot of cars that catch my eye today, and I really deplore the tendency to "bling" cars with chrome taillights, ridiculous wheels and tires that have such narrow sidewalls that a pothole means a bent rim.

But in my garage is a 1958 Fiat 1200 Roadster, and my 1983 280ZX Turbo is in the driveway. I believe I'm covered for style.

While I wouldn't be so sure with almost ANY car from the 1980s (aforementioned Mercedes being one of the very few exceptions), you are MORE than covered with the Fiat.

I've got a buddy with a 76 Fiat roadster and I've driven it a few times. It's brilliant. I'd love to see photos of yours.

 

[Pilgrim]

Oh, I think a Buick Grand National (1984-87) would gather many style points. My 280ZX is a very clean Brown & Gold, and turns some heads on its own.

Here's a Fiat publicity image of the '58 Roadster:

Mine is white with white top, red & black interior. It has the same fake knock-off wheel covers that are shown in this image.

 

[gpwpat]

Sad that some have taken a fun style of thread and turned it into an attack on a certain car that others here have chosen to own. I do not particurly like the car in question but I would never attack it as their owners really love their cars. Like when I read attacks on my personal style of car that I chose, It does feel personal. believe it or not my car, the mini and the pt share something in common. The engine was designed as a joint effort between chryster and rover during design. when BMW bought rover and took over mini they were already stuck with the design. That is what prompted the new 07design. BMW hated paying indirectly Diamler for the engine. Personally I do not care for the 07 mini. I feel it lost its whimsy when they shoved a larger french engine under the hood.

Funny though some say they felt cramped in the car. I bought it just for the opposite reason. I did not feel cramped. I can wear a hat and not touch the top. it has plenty of room for me. but if you try to sit in th rear it feels cramped. really though you smash the pedal down and take it through a road course. Yippee it is a fun car to drive. It will out handle many cars out there.

And on to cheap plastic. Is there any modern car that does not use plastic? I don't think so. I feel surrounded in cheap plastic in all my cars save my classics. I feel my mini has a nice plastic, however my jeep I can already tell the plastic is cheap and will look bad in a few years. I hate plastic on the outside too. it greys and begins to break down in the sun. While the use of plastic is to save a buck, and or to make sure our cars look so bad in 10 years that we have to buy a new car.


PS

I want that fiat 500

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

I would just like to point out that when it comes to style, no two people will agree on absolutely everything. I would hate to have a spirited debate turn into a feel-good convention; that would be counter-productive. We should celebrate our difference in opinion, not attempt to suppress it in the guise of tolerance or politeness.

I welcome any and all criticism on me, my choices, and my opinions in this and any other thread. And if you feel strongly, please feel free to express your opinion thusly.

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

Mine is white with white top, red & black interior. It has the same fake knock-off wheel covers that are shown in this image.

That sounds absolutely gorgeous. And the photo you posted is amazing. That really is a fantastic looking car, and it puts my friend's 1976 model to shame. I like his, but this is a whole other world.

I'd have a tan top with the white, but otherwise your color combo sounds great. Keep up the good work.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I would just like to point out that when it comes to style, no two people will agree on absolutely everything. I would hate to have a spirited debate turn into a feel-good convention; that would be counter-productive. We should celebrate our difference in opinion, not attempt to suppress it in the guise of tolerance or politeness.

I welcome any and all criticism on me, my choices, and my opinions in this and any other thread. And if you feel strongly, please feel free to express your opinion thusly.

fftopic: IMO, there are plenty of ways to disagree without getting personal and heated. If someone feels the need to apologize for what they have to say before they say it, then it probably shouldn't be said. We are a group of nearly 5,000 people, and thus far we have managed to, for the most part remain incredibly civil and polite, that is after all, what a return to the golden era entails. We have managed to do this while still not always being in agreement. So, disagree all you want, opinions vary, we are all well aware of that. However, the only way we can celebrate our difference of opinion is by have a civilized discourse about said opinions. There are plenty of ways of doing this without getting personal, offensive, and emulating the strength in opinion that you refer to. Feel strongly about something, fine, we all do at one time or another. Turn that strength into something personal or offensive, then you are taking it to another level. We all read the FAQ's when our membership here is accepted, this is after all a private site with a set of rules that we all abide by. That's what keeps this place so nice. You have probably noticed the lack of heated debate in other areas of the lounge, and that personal or heated discussions will tend to get shut down. This is something we all know, and will not change just because some members want a heated personal discussion.

So, I don't even know why this is being brought up again, even after the intervention of a bartender. It's fine if someone doesn't agree or like something, it's fine to say so. But, there are plenty of ways to state your disagreement that are civil and considered friendly debate and not personal attacks directly on loungers or indirectly on the things lounger own/like/like to own.. Again, if a member writes something and feels a need to apologize for what they are about to write, it might be something that that member might want to think twice about before posting. Usually apologies are given for insults, so said statement that is apologized for is probably harsh or insulting. The writer is obviously well aware of this, hence the apology in advance. Why bother doing so if that member and all other members are well aware that here at the lounge we are a civilized "gentleman's club" where uncivilized discourse is usually not accepted nor tolerated.

Now, once again, back on topic.
Nobody likes that little Smart Cabriolet??? Yeah, it does look pretty dangerous. But it would be a heck of a car to have as a city commuter who hates public transportation. It might be a bit safer than a Vespa, it does have doors after all! I don't think I'd even want to take it on the highway It totally reminds me of those kiddy rides at the amusement park, the one that has the tiny cars and little boats that kids sit in and goes in slow circles.

 

[vonwotan]

These days I think I would like one of the tiny little cars we used only to see in London or, one of the almost as tiny little cars seen throughout Europe. However, like others, I still worry about the other drivers in SUVs (coming from a three time Suburban dirver) and their lack of consideration on the road. I've recently looked at a restored MG, and a few roadster type cars both modern and vintage, but can't quite bring myself to buy - yet...

 

[ValleyBoy]

I own a Toyota Prius, Ford Focus, and a huge 1981 Chevy C10 4x4 with a 4 inch Pro comp lift, 35 inch BF Goodrich AT, ARB lockers, Holly carb, and an Eddlebrock intake. [huh]

 

[RAF Man]

Just a BMW convertible, not classic or vintage, (except myself) but maybe in 25 years!

<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2732687900100532031vzpzTB"><img src="http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/16/16/6/87/90/2732687900100532031vzpzTB_th.jpg" alt="dscf1066"></a>

 

[Viola]

I think the tiny cars may be edging out Vespas in my "getting one...someday" affections.

Though really being a tiny pastel biker (matching bike and jacket, naturally!) does have some real appeal. I mean, nothing says class quite like that.

-Viola

 

[BuddyJ]

I've recently looked at a restored MG, and a few roadster type cars both modern and vintage, but can't quite bring myself to buy - yet...

Vonwotan, go for it! My roommate drove his '76 MGB daily for almost a year with a 15 mile commute with highway and city driving. They're fun to drive, easy to maintain and can be made quite reliable. You can't beat Little British Cars (LBCs) for an entry-level classic.

Another classic that you can find to be stylish, reliable, functional and easily obtainable despite it being unknown by most people or forgotten is the Volvo 122, aka Amazon to those not in the US.

If one wanted a sedan or estate, the Volvo would be one I'd recommend. They're a blast to drive and the motors are bulletproof.

 

[Rafter]

My family were Oldsmobile loyalists.

Both before and after acquisition by General Motors, Oldsmobile became the entry level luxury division and was marketed for its technical sophistication. The list of "firsts" is quite extensive.

1901 the first speedometer to be offered on a car was on an Oldsmobile. The United States Post Office Department ordered its first motor vehicles from Oldsmobile.
1926 Oldsmobile began chrome plating the radiator surrounds and other parts on its cars. This was the first automotive use of chrome plating.
1929 Oldsmobile introduced the first monoblock V8 on its Viking model.
1932 Oldsmobile became the first to offer an automatic choke on an automobile.
1940 Oldsmobile introduced "Hydra-matic Drive," the first fully automatic transmission to be offered on a widely available automobile. This was the forerunner of the modern automatic transmission.
1949 Rocket engine was the first mass produced, high-compression OHV V8.
1962-1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire: Oldsmobile marketed the first turbocharged passenger car engine in its F-85 coupes and convertibles. The aluminum block 215 in¬? V8 engine with turbocharger produced one horsepower per cubic inch.
While not the first American built passenger car to use front-wheel drive, the 1966 Toronado was the first of its type to prove successful in the American marketplace. It won the Motor Trend Car of Year award in 1966 for its unique and innovative styling.
In 1974 Oldsmobile became the first American car company to offer a driver's side airbag. It was available in the Toronado.


My grandfather's 1937 Oldsmobile 4 Door Sedan

My uncle's 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Coupe

My father's 1976 Cutlass Supreme

Got a chance to ride in this one.

My father's 1967 Delta 88 Custom Coupe

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

Another classic that you can find to be stylish, reliable, functional and easily obtainable despite it being unknown by most people or forgotten is the Volvo 122, aka Amazon to those not in the US.


If one wanted a sedan or estate, the Volvo would be one I'd recommend. They're a blast to drive and the motors are bulletproof.

I absolutely loathe Volvos and generally hate the people who drive them even more (as already mentioned, they're the ones doing 50 in the fast lane), but this car is one that I would certainly make an exception for, and would even drive myself. That's a great look.

 

[Rafter]

I absolutely loathe Volvos and generally hate the people who drive them even more (as already mentioned, they're the ones doing 50 in the fast lane), but this car is one that I would certainly make an exception for, and would even drive myself. That's a great look.

That's a great look>>>>>>>>>>>looks to me like a box with four wheels.

Volvo's never had the style and sophistication of it's other European cousins.

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

That's a great look>>>>>>>>>>>looks to me like a box with four wheels.

Volvo's never had the style and sophistication of it's other European cousins.

True, I just think it looks substantially better than Volvos we see today. For a Volvo to have any style at all is pretty impressive. And I would drive that and not feel compelled to go 50 in the fast lane.

But would I take a BMW or Merc from the same age range over this? Of course. Let's not talk crazy.

 

[Barry]

I absolutely loathe Volvos and generally hate the people who drive them even more

There's too much hate in the world.

We need more love.

John Lydon. Volvo Driver.

-Barry

 

[Viola]

As long as I don't have to buy a Ford, Barry.

-Viola

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

As long as I don't have to buy a Ford, Barry.

-Viola

Too bad Volvo is owned by Ford!

HA!

 

[Viola]

Too bad Volvo is owned by Ford!

HA!

*makes note* and who else? I'll put them on The Forbidden List. lol

-Viola

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

*makes note* and who else? I'll put them on The Forbidden List. lol

-Viola

Jaguar
Land Rover
and 33% of Mazda

and up until just recently, Aston Martin. That's been sold now though.

oh and Lincoln and Mercury too, but you knew that.