Getting older and the changes in what we like...

[Ron H]

Me too. I’ve had changes with vehicle likes. For a good 15-years or so, I’ve gotten to like old wagons more, especially MOPAR late 50’s to early 70’s. Have an affection for late 50’s Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler wagons, yeah, FINS on a wagon, lol. Couple of lost opportunities at swap meets some years back I kind a kick myself on, a ’59 Dodge (photo off the net) and a ’63 Plymouth. Both were survivors sitting on trailers, pretty solid bodies getting an easy look underneath needing mostly mechanical, insides restoing. One was a TX car. Could have bought either one for around $2,500-3000. Issue then was nowhere to park them unless outside. Did that once on a car I later restored and earth wasted no time making it rustier than it already was. But, yeah, not being picky about a pristine paint job, a cool driver for all the trips I make to the supply stores and meets. Oh well, my future is now much shorter than my past, so there is that..

 

[Cojohnso1]

Me too. I’ve had changes with vehicle likes. For a good 15-years or so, I’ve gotten to like old wagons more, especially MOPAR late 50’s to early 70’s. Have an affection for late 50’s Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler wagons, yeah, FINS on a wagon, lol. Couple of lost opportunities at swap meets some years back I kind a kick myself on, a ’59 Dodge (photo off the net) and a ’63 Plymouth. Both were survivors sitting on trailers, pretty solid bodies getting an easy look underneath needing mostly mechanical, insides restoing. One was a TX car. Could have bought either one for around $2,500-3000. Issue then was nowhere to park them unless outside. Did that once on a car I later restored and earth wasted no time making it rustier than it already was. But, yeah, not being picky about a pristine paint job, a cool driver for all the trips I make to the supply stores and meets. Oh well, my future is now much shorter than my past, so there is that..

View attachment 1599289

Some of those era cars spook me. All that metal. With all thoughs bends. And not to mention the chrome pieces. As well as some impressive power plants. Especially in the "Letter" cars with those cross ram 413s?

No wonder they bring big bucks on the concourse lawn shows. The build time and expenses has to be immense.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Is that a Dodge Pioneer?

1964 Plymouth Belvedere. What kind of a Mopar guy are you? Sheesh!

 

[Ron H]

Some of those era cars spook me. All that metal. With all thoughs bends. And not to mention the chrome pieces. As well as some impressive power plants. Especially in the "Letter" cars with those cross ram 413s?

No wonder they bring big bucks on the concourse lawn shows. The build time and expenses has to be immense.

Well, after restoring a WI car and later a CA car, ya kind of get some tips on what you're looking at.

 

[GetX'd]

1964 Plymouth Belvedere. What kind of a Mopar guy are you? Sheesh!

Hey I was a little kid - I barely remember the color. I just mostly remember what a cheap pos it was - no carpet, no radio. If Pops could have had his way it wouldn’t have even had a heater (in MN). He always thought the heater used more gas like ac. So we were forbidden from using it even in sub zero weather. That was his Nordic heritage - Suck it up.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I'll add a little bit more to the OP's title thread about changing tastes. My tastes softened up a few years ago when I sold my 2015 6-speed Hellcat Challenger & bought a 2020 Hellcat Charger. The Charger is more convenient, the longer wheelbase makes it ride better, and the automatic is just amazing. I really don't have any desire to own an old 4-door Mopar though, although i still have a soft spot for 64-65 wagons.

Also, up until 2014, I had never had the desire for a pickup truck, but today, I'm on my 4th. This one is a 2022 Ford F150 Lariat (yes, I know), crew cab with a 6.5' bed & is pretty well equipped. With a 157" wheelbase, the thing is huuuuuge, but I like it.

 

[davek]

No pics yet but Sunday we're heading down to Thousand Oaks area to pay for and drive back a 67 Coronet Deluxe wagon w/440. FB score. Here is the link at least.
$20,0001967 Dodge coronet DeluxeAgoura Hills, CA123K miles

Its Sunday good luck and hope you get it.

 

[Hey-O]

For me, everything changed. Most, I guess are likes, but need changes come with age also. I don't need a truck anymore and I've had one since 1977, the last one went out the door in 2019. I went from having three to four cars at once and a hotrod, to one and Cora. My house went from 3700 square feet to 1736, not only that, but now I only own one. I eat different, better and visit 5 specialists a year to keep me in tip top shape. Work, I don't think so, went from working almost 7 days a week and eating 3000 calories a day to keep me fueled, down to a 3 miles fast walk and 1800 to 2200 calories to keep me from blowing up like a toad. I have a different outlook on life, having more of it behind me, rather than ahead of me. I see things more clearly now that I've seen and been involved with life as long as I have. I don't worry about our world as much anymore or who's running it. I've fought that fight and have done all I can to set a good example by leaving my share of it better than when I found it. I've given away a good part of my old life to young guns, to carry it forward with them. I've started giving money to those close to me, so I can watch them better enjoy life while I'm here to see and enjoy it with them. I cherish my wife more everyday and realize how far we have come together and the family we have. I can tell you one thing that has really changed, time flies by the older I get and that's not really a good thing. All said and done, life should be like a fine wine, it should get better with age........ I have a problem with my last statement, old is just old.......... I really don't even like wine.

 

[Detective D]

It is understandable that some of the things shunned as granny cars and Mom-mobiles are coming around.
Look at the style. Now look at the same segment of vehicle nowdays. Your choice of colored jellybeans.

It is easier to break the stigma when there is no comparable vehicle being driven by the same demographic.

Further, regarding C bodies, or even somewhat newer(80's) more "luxury" oriented cars- while they still offer some very pricey, loaded out vehicles for the same demographic, new vehicles can;t hold a candle to even some from the 80's as far as class and style. I love Mopar, I like some old Fords, and I have a soft spot for Olds and a couple extremely specific Pontiacs. Look at a modern Caddy. Now look at an '84 Olds 98. Which is classy, which looks more comfortable, which will make people stop to look? GM made them both.....



So now with that all said....

Yes, yes! Come to the dark side..... 4 doors are not the enemy.....
Really, it is what the intended use of the vehicle is. Restore, spend more time buffing and hding it away and want it for value? yeah no, 4 doors are not going to be your cash cow.
Get the car out whenever you feel like it, leave a righteous burnout down the road as you leave your driveway on the way to go get a cheeseburger with the wife, on a Tuesday? heck yeah, bonus doors means when she asks about stopping at the grocery you can put stuff on the back seat/floor so you can keep an eye on it on the way home while you do more burnouts and race that punk kid in his stupid silverado on the way out of town.
2 doors have their own stigma of having to be "nice" and "valuable"(lol in quotes, as if thats a bad thing ) whereas 4 doors are for living life.

Besides, in the modern times, the weight differences between the 2 and 4 doors cars, especially when you get to the 70's and 80's, is really just the sheetmetal. A lot of them share all the same chassis, depending on what it is it may share everything but one section in the middle of the floor and door posts(and doors obviously) and ALL of them are lighter than new cars. New cars are horrendous fat pigs, which has been overcome by extremely improved transmission tech and modern suspension/tires. I WISH my '13 Charger was <4000lbs. It's not even close. So looking at old cars, they can all be made into hot rods by using modern engine tech on the old mills, and they can all be relatively fast in a straight line because of the HP vs weight ratio when you do drop an extra 200HP in there.

People should buy what they like, this is America. It would be really nice if the gearhead community could stop thumbing their nose at the bonus door cars though. They have their own style, they can be fast, and if nothing else they let poor boys like me participate.

 

[ckessel]

Its Sunday good luck and hope you get it.

Leaving here in about an hour to go get it. 3 hours or so away.

 

[68BabyBlue]

It is understandable that some of the things shunned as granny cars and Mom-mobiles are coming around.
Look at the style. Now look at the same segment of vehicle nowdays. Your choice of colored jellybeans.

It is easier to break the stigma when there is no comparable vehicle being driven by the same demographic.

Further, regarding C bodies, or even somewhat newer(80's) more "luxury" oriented cars- while they still offer some very pricey, loaded out vehicles for the same demographic, new vehicles can;t hold a candle to even some from the 80's as far as class and style. I love Mopar, I like some old Fords, and I have a soft spot for Olds and a couple extremely specific Pontiacs. Look at a modern Caddy. Now look at an '84 Olds 98. Which is classy, which looks more comfortable, which will make people stop to look? GM made them both.....



So now with that all said....

View attachment 1599680
Yes, yes! Come to the dark side..... 4 doors are not the enemy.....
Really, it is what the intended use of the vehicle is. Restore, spend more time buffing and hding it away and want it for value? yeah no, 4 doors are not going to be your cash cow.
Get the car out whenever you feel like it, leave a righteous burnout down the road as you leave your driveway on the way to go get a cheeseburger with the wife, on a Tuesday? heck yeah, bonus doors means when she asks about stopping at the grocery you can put stuff on the back seat/floor so you can keep an eye on it on the way home while you do more burnouts and race that punk kid in his stupid silverado on the way out of town.
2 doors have their own stigma of having to be "nice" and "valuable"(lol in quotes, as if thats a bad thing ) whereas 4 doors are for living life.

Besides, in the modern times, the weight differences between the 2 and 4 doors cars, especially when you get to the 70's and 80's, is really just the sheetmetal. A lot of them share all the same chassis, depending on what it is it may share everything but one section in the middle of the floor and door posts(and doors obviously) and ALL of them are lighter than new cars. New cars are horrendous fat pigs, which has been overcome by extremely improved transmission tech and modern suspension/tires. I WISH my '13 Charger was <4000lbs. It's not even close. So looking at old cars, they can all be made into hot rods by using modern engine tech on the old mills, and they can all be relatively fast in a straight line because of the HP vs weight ratio when you do drop an extra 200HP in there.

People should buy what they like, this is America. It would be really nice if the gearhead community could stop thumbing their nose at the bonus door cars though. They have their own style, they can be fast, and if nothing else they let poor boys like me participate.

I’ve posted earlier that I drove two Imperial four doors as daily drivers in the 90s, covering nearly 150,000 miles. Had more fun with those than the seven GTXs combined, and they were dirt cheap to buy and maintain, and easy to work on. Both were rust free originals, one from Arizona, the other from San Diego, drove it home to Chicago after I bought it. Filled all the panels with motor oil, and the cars stayed rust free until they were sold.

 

[68_661charger]

I still like and dislike about the same types of cars I always did, but lately Ive really warmed up to the 66 Coronet. Wouldnt mind owning one someday.

 

[WileE]

Also, up until 2014, I had never had the desire for a pickup truck, but today, I'm on my 4th. This one is a 2022 Ford F150 Lariat (yes, I know), crew cab with a 6.5' bed & is pretty well equipped. With a 157" wheelbase, the thing is huuuuuge, but I like it.

 

[F4R/T]

While my preference has remained pretty much the same, I appreciate more and enjoy things that I never did. I’ll enjoy an old wagon any day , the new stuff maybe quiet, comfy and powerful but it just doesn’t have the same flair or character. That being said , I’m looking at never buying anything new again. I’m thinking a simpler designed and built vehicle is ideal as long as parts are around.. So yeh I’d drive a more door or a wagon with out a doubt but it’s probably getting some day 2 goodies added.

 

[440 4 speed]

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View attachment 1599716

So! In 10 years he has had 5 trucks. Don’t know what brands, but it seems like they wear out very quickly. Neighbour has a Tundra that he bought new about 20 years ago, still looks good. Another fellow has a 2003 Ram, runs well. Don’t know how long that Ford will last!!!! Enjoy it in the short term.

 

[WileE]

So! In 10 years he has had 5 trucks. Don’t know what brands, but it seems like they wear out very quickly. Neighbour has a Tundra that he bought new about 20 years ago, still looks good. Another fellow has a 2003 Ram, runs well. Don’t know how long that Ford will last!!!! Enjoy it in the short term.

I'd tend to think it's more like taste, rather than wear, but perhaps we'll hear from the Professor himself.

 

[Kern Dog]

Classics? ALL of them are lighter than new cars. New cars are horrendous fat pigs, which has been overcome by extremely improved transmission tech and modern suspension/tires. I WISH my '13 Charger was <4000lbs. It's not even close.

To me, new trucks look dumb as ****. They are all too thick and too tall with no more ground clearance than before.

 

[YY1]

So.....the marketing psychology with trucks works like this-
(and I've personally witnessed it at least three times)

Someone at work or a neighbor gets a new truck and parks it next to an older truck.
The older truck owner looks at them side by side and says-
"gee that new truck makes my truck look small"
Stereotypical guys generally can't stand to have anything smaller than another guy.
So he goes out and buys a new truck, too.

 

[YY1]

I bought a Dakota, and one that was lowered from the factory, so I'm well aware of what size it is.

One thing about owning a truck- one you own one, you'll kind of feel naked without one.

Hey, there's a nice shelving unit off the side of the road, I'll just stop and throw it in the.....

Never mind, I don't own a truck anymore.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

So.....the marketing psychology with trucks works like this-
(and I've personally witnessed it at least three times)

Someone at work or a neighbor gets a new truck and parks it next to an older truck.
The older truck owner looks at them side by side and says-
"gee that new truck makes my truck look small"
Stereotypical guys generally can't stand to have anything smaller than another guy.
So he goes out and buys a new truck, too.

Might work for some... I have the same small truck I've owned for thirty years and don't envy those who need a newer/bigger one...