1970s cars

[kwackers]

Some people can't accept that others experiences may have differed from their own. I blame their self centered attitude.

Some folk can't even tell when they've posted something already, can't trust them to go back forty odd years.

I got rid of my Moggie pick up 3 years ago, had it for over 20. Loved that car, but it was crap.
Objects don't get sentimental allowances in my world. But given how much cash someone was prepared to pay for it I accept I'm on my own.

[pete75]

Some people can't accept that others experiences may have differed from their own. I blame their self centered attitude.

Some folk can't even tell when they've posted something already, can't trust them to go back forty odd years.

There speaks a man who's posted the same accusation that others memories can't be trusted umpteen times. Why does he think that - because he thinks it impossible other people's experiences can be different to his own.
There's only one reason your self maintained vehicles were unreliable and that's because you weren't doing it right. The cars are not to blame for incompetence.

[kwackers]

Meaning what?

I'm struggling here and need help.

Yes you are a bit aren't you.

I'm struggling here and need help.

Yes you are rather aren't you?

Of course, it could be your memory is fine but you were so proud you thought you'd better try again just in case someone missed it the first time.

[pete75]

Meaning what?

I'm struggling here and need help.

Yes you are a bit aren't you.

I'm struggling here and need help.

Yes you are rather aren't you?

Of course, it could be your memory is fine but you were so proud you thought you'd better try again just in case someone missed it the first time.

So I made a mistake cutting and pasting in a post. So what? Better that than making mistakes in vehicle maintenance.

[Cyril Haearn]

I think Kwackers had some issues in the 1970s with his cars.

The cars I had were fine and reliable, except that they had problems MOT with rusty chassis members and rusty exhausts.
Engines and starting were always fine. The Humber Sceptre went on to 120,000 miles when we sold it.
It was like this, in this colour.
Sceptre MK2
FHH 819D800px-Humber-Sceptre-4dr-Sed.jpg

Humber - that takes me back a bit. When I was at school one of my mate's dads had a Humber Super Snipe like this. Old even then but still a fine car.

The vehicle shown has a lot vicious sharp metal spike on the bonnet

A policeperson once told me that this model provoked a law to ban such weapons

+1

[kwackers]

So I made a mistake cutting and pasting in a post. So what? Better that than making mistakes in vehicle maintenance.

Not really - you replied twice, two different replies hence you forgot about the first one.

As for vehicle maintenance. Yep, that's why 70's cars rusted like there was no tomorrow - lack of maintenance. That's why the engines were often shafted - lack of maintenance, not crap designs and materials.
Eating camshafts, camchains, three bearing cranks - it's an endless list.

But if it's all down to maintenance then explain why modern cars are more reliable? Are they simply better maintained?
Or is it that I'm right and they're simply better cars?

120k and 12 years on my current mini. Minimal maintenance, drives and handles like new. Only reliability issue is a new air sensor at 100k. No new clutches, no farting about damp proofing the electrics, no new sub frames or welding. Not even new brake lines.
I'd hate to think how an old mini would look with the same level of use and maintenance.

[pete75]

I think Kwackers had some issues in the 1970s with his cars.

The cars I had were fine and reliable, except that they had problems MOT with rusty chassis members and rusty exhausts.
Engines and starting were always fine. The Humber Sceptre went on to 120,000 miles when we sold it.
It was like this, in this colour.
Sceptre MK2
FHH 819D800px-Humber-Sceptre-4dr-Sed.jpg

Humber - that takes me back a bit. When I was at school one of my mate's dads had a Humber Super Snipe like this. Old even then but still a fine car.

The vehicle shown has a lot vicious sharp metal spike on the bonnet

A policeperson once told me that this model provoked a law to ban such weapons

+1

Ironic then that the chap who owned it was a Detective Constable.

[thirdcrank]

In the context of a thread about 1970's cars, I'll take a stab at dating that one to early 1950's. The fact that quite a bit of this thread has involved memories of cars which were already iconic by the 1970's seems to me to emphasise how many from that decade were dodgy.

[al_yrpal]

I remember the early 1960s as the greatest period for cars. When it was introduced Marple's 10 year test (brakes lights and steering) consigned thousands of absolute gems to the scrapyards that could be had for a tenner or less. Their previous owners having been seduced by such gems as the Ford Popular or Zephyr Zodiac etc. If you were handy it was a simple and cheap job to replace track rod ends, knuckle joints, skim brake drums and rivet on new brake shoes and off you went in a Jag with headlights like dinner plates, Armstrong Siddely and Talbot Limos, Rileys, Alvis's, Citroen Traction Avant's, Rudge motorbikes etc and even little Austin 7s that could be turned into genuine track racers. Brilliant times until these gems got melted down and the scrapyards filled up with crappy Ford Populars which didn't offer any thrills at all. Happy days... The 70s just didn't offer the same possibilities.

Al

[Boyd]

They weren't all like that, there was the odd 'good' car but they were rare.

Definitely my Reliant Kitten Estate was definitely a great car.

[JeremyB]

So I made a mistake cutting and pasting in a post. So what? Better that than making mistakes in vehicle maintenance.

Not really - you replied twice, two different replies hence you forgot about the first one.

As for vehicle maintenance. Yep, that's why 70's cars rusted like there was no tomorrow - lack of maintenance. That's why the engines were often shafted - lack of maintenance, not crap designs and materials.
Eating camshafts, camchains, three bearing cranks - it's an endless list.

But if it's all down to maintenance then explain why modern cars are more reliable? Are they simply better maintained?
Or is it that I'm right and they're simply better cars?

120k and 12 years on my current mini. Minimal maintenance, drives and handles like new. Only reliability issue is a new air sensor at 100k. No new clutches, no farting about damp proofing the electrics, no new sub frames or welding. Not even new brake lines.
I'd hate to think how an old mini would look with the same level of use and maintenance.

Technology, car design evolved rapidly.

Put together by Robots, made from materials that are treated against corrosion, engines designed by computers, they are far superior to the cars of the sixties and seventies.

[thirdcrank]

"Hand-built by Roberts."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU-tuY0Z7nQ

[landsurfer]

Things really did get better ...
I have a 90's, rear wheel drive, engine and gearbox in the front, no computers ... car i can fix ... and do ....but rarely .....
It's a Japanese copy of a Lotus Elan ..... it's lovely, right down to the pop up head lights ......
AAHHHH ... MX-5 MK1.....
Jules and I paid £700 for it .... I spent another £1000 and 3 months of work to make it better ...but it was a safe drive from the off.

You know you want one....

[JeremyB]

Things really did get better ...
I have a 90's, rear wheel drive, engine and gearbox in the front, no computers ... car i can fix ... and do ....but rarely .....
It's a Japanese copy of a Lotus Elan ..... it's lovely, right down to the pop up head lights ......
AAHHHH ... MX-5 MK1.....
Jules and I paid £700 for it .... I spent another £1000 and 3 months of work to make it better ...but it was a safe drive from the off.

You know you want one....

I would if I was considering taking up hair dressing... [emoji23]

[landsurfer]

I would if I was considering taking up hair dressing...

Thats a Triumph Spitfire ... as you are well aware .....