Driving lesson

[bobhenry999]

Adding to this interesting debate.

I love the cars of the 1960`s in particular, because I am 52 years old, and thats what I remember from my youth ( although not too many Lancias) mostly Anglias, Victors and A35`s.

Could it be that those aged in their 30`s just aren`t interested in the cars of the 1980`s  because;

1. They weren`t exactly iconic in any way, with a few exceptions.

2. They aren`t a million miles away from cars of today. i.e reliable, rust free, well equipped, useable on a daily basis,
reasonably refined etc.

3. Rarity, when was the last time you saw a Fiat Tempra or Uno, Austin Montego, Ford Sierra,Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2, Nissan Bluebird, Renault 14, Peugeot 309 etc, etc

4. And these people come from a generation used to disposable goods, cars included, and have more disposable income to buy the latest vehicles than we may have had in our youth.

Maybe we are the last of those who truly appreciate cars that were not just "white goods" but were a statement of the original owners, and now our, appreciation of the finer aspects of each and every Manufacturers ideals. Or am I being too romantic ?

[fay66]

you wouldn't care to adopt me would you

Brian
8227
[/quote]

C'mon on over, son 
[/quote]

Thanks Dad
Brian
8227

[fensaddler]

As a fortysomething car enthusiast, and looking at the people of similar age who have taken the reins of key parts of the club, I'm not so sure I'd share this bleak analysis.  The thirty year rule applies for me - the interest is in the 70s and 80s cars a I grew up with, plus a little of the 60s too.  I think the classic car thing will always have a future - but you won't find that future in C&SC, but in the readership of PC and CM, because the cars they champion are younger and cheaper.

Steve - how do you find the 1300 compared to the Grale?

[nic038]

Both the flavia and the Lancia Aurelia B24 spider are stunning cars and top marks for courage letting your kids drive them, if anything it will teach them to cherish those cars in years to come.
Regarding the age of cars, personally i think it is wrong to go off how old a car is purely by year of manufacture when comparing a 1970's  car to a 1990's car etc.I think it is more realistic to judge the cars for when they were actually designed and started production.
The last lancia delta integrales were produced around 1994/1995 but get inside one and with one look at the dashboard alone, your clealy sat in a car designed from the late 70's very early 80's, especially when comparing the change in syling to the escort cosworth of that same era which has nothing in common from its previous escort models from the late 70's /80's.

[DavidLaver]

Theo seems to have outgrown that car already - any taller he'd need goggles.

One of the many reasons I got an Aurelia was that it was going to be easier to restore than the Fiat 124 Coupe I had at the time.  All those bits of plastic and foam filled dash panels and so on are next to impossible to fix.  That Fiat either had to be stripped out as a competition car, customised, or passed on to someone still able to enjoy it for what it was - ie someone still single

Some of the Aurelia's appeal was its competion history but more as a mark of just how good it was for its time and as such just how good it was likely to still be.

At the moment I'm half tempted to run another Lancia.  Looking at something like a Beta Coupe I read the road tests and they didn't seem to hold togeather all that well when new.  What would it take to get one to the point where you'd really trust it not to p*ss off or frustrate the rest of the family?  Its the story of that Y10 bought for driving lessons.

The cars I keep being drawn to are the Appias.  I never saw them on the road when new.  The appeal is for what they are now.  An Appia remains a decent car.

David

[fensaddler]

David - if you can find a decent surviving Delta it won't let you down.  In nine years mine has never let me down.  Just get everything straight at the beginning, and regular maintenance will be fine.  Electrics are simple and robust, and the engine is bulletproof.  Steve has the right idea!

[neil-yaj396]

My Beta has always been reliable. Even through two very bad winters, other than the odd part wearing out (water pump, screen wash pump). Just needs more attention than a modern like any older car. As Chris says as long as the body is solid a Beta/Delta is still a good usable car.

[chriswgawne]

This is a personal view and in no way is a criticism of old cars which do not fall into this category, but our view is that our 'old' cars have to be able to keep up with modern traffic conditions and have to be able to drive 3/400 miles in a day reliably without leaving the occupants feeling wrecked. Therefore we have never owned any car older than an Aurelia.
And as a result our son Alex who is a petrolhead takes great pleasure in driving any and all of them whenever possible.
I also think Clive's comments regarding the desirability of the styling and individuality of 50's/60's cars are right on the button.

[sparehead3]

Steve - how do you find the 1300 compared to the Grale?

I shall do a separate thread for you and you can share opinions I may even send it in to VL! if I get the time!

[HF_Dave]

The ypsilon I bought a couple of years ago a 1997 model has been very relyable, I bought it on a whim, my son Carl has been driving it for the past year to trevel across the city to college every day and has added an extra 17,00 km to it and never broken down once. I suppose the car will never be a classic lancia as it is to modern in my eyes. Or is it a classic in Carl's eyes, as he is a child of the ninetys the Ypsilon to him is a classic. We have regular discussions as to how much better the Ypsilon is compared to his mates cars, cars that would be a lot younger and fresher. My daily drive is my lancia Thema 1989 model , Is this a classic ? when it's parked along side the Fiat Croma on the drive it looks quite dated and old fashoned in an eighty's way, its also a very relyable car and much more engoyable and involving to drive than the Croma. The Croma is a good car for what it is ment to be, great for moving shopping and kids, like the fridge in the kitchen it's well designed, you get in and drive it you get out again, like the milk you put in the fridge , you put the milk in the fridge, you take the milk out of the fridge, but that's as far as it goes, are all modern cars  like this ? it will never be a classic !