- Thread starter
- #41
Riley got me thinking about those good ol' muscle car days, and there's good and bad to be seen, even with our sports cars. Yes, today's cars have vastly improved tires, major efficiency improvements via computer controlled engines, and are far more comfortable.
But, back in the mists of time, you could tailor a car to your wants and needs. You could order exactly the car for YOU, not some marketing mavens idea of packaging that sells.
For instance, in 1967, I had a choice of seven (7, yes 7) different engines, five (yes 5) different transmissions, two suspension levels, three exhaust systems, two ignition systems, two fuel tank sizes, no radio (if I wished), heater delete (if I wished), headrests (or not), power windows (or not), power steering (or not), power brakes (or not), heavy duty brakes (or regular Corvette brakes - pretty damn good), coupe, convertible (with soft top, hard top or BOTH), leather or vinyl seats, seven interior colour choices, three different hoods, even a choice for the 427-only stinger hood stripe colour.
I could selectively pick and choose from the option sheet and build anything from a meek-and-mild 300hp powerglide automatic boulevard cruiser with relatively quiet exhaust, to a balls-to-the-wall, no heater, no radio, side-exhaust loud, L-88 race car with a 36-gallon fuel tank. Or, as the Burger King would say, I could have it MY way.
Those were the days. Try that now and they'll laugh you out of the building. You get to choose from packages. Packages are helpful for salespeople. Packages are easier for the assembly plant. And, packages sure help the profit margin for GM. But, I don't want to be forced into a package of options. Only I know best what I want in my car, thank you.
And, I can fix absolutely anything on this old car myself. Other than a few specialized IRS tools, it's a relatively easy fix if you're experienced working on cars. Try that on the new ones, if you can find anything under all the wires, hoses, tubes and fuel lines.
Gimme that old time rock 'n roll too.
But, back in the mists of time, you could tailor a car to your wants and needs. You could order exactly the car for YOU, not some marketing mavens idea of packaging that sells.
For instance, in 1967, I had a choice of seven (7, yes 7) different engines, five (yes 5) different transmissions, two suspension levels, three exhaust systems, two ignition systems, two fuel tank sizes, no radio (if I wished), heater delete (if I wished), headrests (or not), power windows (or not), power steering (or not), power brakes (or not), heavy duty brakes (or regular Corvette brakes - pretty damn good), coupe, convertible (with soft top, hard top or BOTH), leather or vinyl seats, seven interior colour choices, three different hoods, even a choice for the 427-only stinger hood stripe colour.
I could selectively pick and choose from the option sheet and build anything from a meek-and-mild 300hp powerglide automatic boulevard cruiser with relatively quiet exhaust, to a balls-to-the-wall, no heater, no radio, side-exhaust loud, L-88 race car with a 36-gallon fuel tank. Or, as the Burger King would say, I could have it MY way.
Those were the days. Try that now and they'll laugh you out of the building. You get to choose from packages. Packages are helpful for salespeople. Packages are easier for the assembly plant. And, packages sure help the profit margin for GM. But, I don't want to be forced into a package of options. Only I know best what I want in my car, thank you.
And, I can fix absolutely anything on this old car myself. Other than a few specialized IRS tools, it's a relatively easy fix if you're experienced working on cars. Try that on the new ones, if you can find anything under all the wires, hoses, tubes and fuel lines.
Gimme that old time rock 'n roll too.
