Kaisers' pics

sogood

Just looking at Kaiser D's pics regarding the identity of some old cars, I realised how much I enjoy seeing old pics of old cars, from a simpler time. Yes, true, I am getting on a bit and slowly turning into my father, but does anyone have a serious hankering after cars as they were? I'm sure that's why there will always be vintage/classic enthusiasts amongst us. But just in general, do you miss the simplicity?

Todays cars may be much more specced, safer, faster, more comfortable etc. but there's a lot to be said for an externally mounted mechanical fuel pump, a set of points and everything fixed in place with clearly visible screws.

When I think of the number of cheap runabouts that I have owned, from a Fiat 850, up through a Mk3 Cortina, Mk2 Capri and several others, all classics now and would be worth quite a lot more than I paid for them.

Maybe the ideal situation is to have one of each? I think the epitome of nostalgia is to see these old cars in their "old" natural setting, especially in black and white. Just my meandering thoughts.

Capri

Could agree with some elements of the 'simplicity' but it's all relative, and the 'net solves some of the problems

e.g. My transmission wouldn't come out of park on 2 different machines - 1 German luxury, 1 Korean basic

Solution - German car was to fit fully charged battery and everything worked again.
Korean car is a faulty brake light switch that was replaced under a recall on most Korean cars of 2006-2009

Nothing's black and white anymore :P

Kaiser D

I was in nappies from when the photos were taken so I can't really relate, but I do remember some of the old cars my Dad used to have. He took various photos of his cars and kept them away, they are still around today.

sogood

Capri wrote: »

Could agree with some elements of the 'simplicity' but it's all relative, and the 'net solves some of the problems

e.g. My transmission wouldn't come out of park on 2 different machines - 1 German luxury, 1 Korean basic

Solution - German car was to fit fully charged battery and everything worked again.
Korean car is a faulty brake light switch that was replaced under a recall on most Korean cars of 2006-2009

Nothing's black and white anymore :P

Yes, long live the "net" and forums like this. Regarding simplicity, I was thinking about the old painted metal dash, with a simple instrument cluster slapped on top and maybe a dial for "hot and cold" and another for the two speed fan! Remember when door cards was all there was? No capping along the top, just a card that sat between an upper and lower lip on the door. And of course, locks that could be opened with a nail scissors!

Funny thing with the "park" issue on the Korean car, the same thing can happen on an XJ Jag. Blown brake bulbs and the car doesn't know that the brake is being pressed, so the "park" brake solenoid lock won't release/activate. Likewise with the battery. Anything below optimum charge can cause all sorts of issues, including what's often called "the instrument panel Christmas tree".

w124man

This is why I love W124 Mercs! Simple but modern, comfy and reliable !!