The best drivers on the road...

[Jive-Bomber]

I'm down in Southern California for a few days, working between Azusa and Anaheim. It goes without saying that the well-worn freeways of LA and Orange County are dirty, covered with debris, and congested with too many miserable cars and trucks. It's ...

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[JeffreyJames]

That Merc had a feature in R&C about 4-5 years ago. I'm sure he's on this board and his name should be in the article. I gotta finish reading....

[48 Chubby]

Thank you. Cars are driven, modern vehicles are operated. Quite often operated with a high degree of negligence.
Saw a Ford commercial on TV the other day, and a satisfied customer was saying,"it's not like driving a car it's more like operating my computer."
Too many people are zipping up and the interstate today with zero driving skills. These folks are not hot rodders.

[ric]

i have made the same observation about driving old cars. I think the ease with which modern cars are able to be driven is creating driver's who do not drive, they do not have to think about it or pay attention to it. They can be mindless about the task of driving. Thus all the distractions. Perhaps driver's ed classes should start with an older vehicle, no automatic trans, no power steering, etc.

[eddie1]

Originally Posted by ric

i have made the same observation about driving old cars. I think the ease with which modern cars are able to be driven is creating driver's who do not drive, they do not have to think about it or pay attention to it. They can be mindless about the task of driving. Thus all the distractions. Perhaps driver's ed classes should start with an older vehicle, no automatic trans, no power steering, etc.

This is why I feel to uncomfortable to do daily commute battle in a vintage car. I do work the odd Saturday & on those days I will usually drive something vintage.

[Fenders]

Originally Posted by 48 Chubby

Thank you. Cars are driven, modern vehicles are operated. Quite often operated with a high degree of negligence.
Saw a Ford commercial on TV the other day, and a satisfied customer was saying,"it's not like driving a car it's more like operating my computer."
Too many people are zipping up and the interstate today with zero driving skills. These folks are not hot rodders.

Sorry to see Ford promoting that concept. God help us all !
My rod has no:
heater
Air cond
radio
cup holder
power steering
power rakes

When I drive it, I gotta pay attention -- to the car, to the road, and to the other drivers. And I do.

And I love it !!

[Muttley]

Originally Posted by 48 Chubby

Saw a Ford commercial on TV the other day, and a satisfied customer was saying,"It's not like driving a car it's more like operating my computer."

Thats exactly why I wouldnt buy one.

[Van Dutch]

Damn jay, you have a way with words, you ought to write a blog...that is some concise, evocative storytelling with a great point. Made my day to think of it that way.

[JackdaRabbit]

Modern "user friendly" cars put more people behind the wheel that don't have the skills or aptitude to drive. Cars that park themselves, apply the brakes when they sense you're asleep. What happens when these systems malfunction?

All of my vehicles, old and modern, are manual trans because I like to "drive" and I believe in staying engaged in the process.

Isn't driving the single most dangerous thing most people are involved in?

[38zephyr]

I don't know him , but I see that Merc all over the place and it is beautiful . I always find myself paying attention to the bias plys trying to follow the grooves on the freeway and constantly checking my gauges among other things in addition to just driving in an old car .

[goetzcr]

Ditto on that Ford commercial. I couldn't believe they used that in an ad. Vehicles are supposed to be safer and major campaigns are being pushed by multiple actors (including manufacturers) to reduce distracted driving. Yet it seems like manufacturers are pushing things in the wrong direction. While they are promoting some safety technologies like blind spot warnings and emergency stop assist, much of the advertising dollars go toward technology of the distracting variety (email, text, internet apps). Likewise vehicles are moving all of the driver ancillary controls like HVAC and audio control into touch screens that demand the driver's visual attention. I can change the HVAC or radio volume on my base model pickup without looking. Try that with a touch screen. Some of the touchscreens require you to actually move through a series of menus to accomplish these tasks. God help you if the Prius driver behind you feels a bit nippy as you have to make an emergency stop.

[slddnmatt]

I mentally prepare myself when driving my old cars...its like going into battle... against idiot drivers, the road, the weather and even the car!! its always nice to see a hotrod or a custom sticking out from all the blended in crap on SoCal freeway.. puts a smile on my face.

[rustednutz]

I agree with jackdarabbit, the new cars are dulling our senses and preparing us for the day when we will have no real control over our vehicles except get in, strap in, punch in destination and shut up. Not for me. I'll take the older stuff for as long as I am able.

[HellsHotRods]

The POSNIVE Merc belongs to a nice guy in Glendora. He built the car in his garage by himself.

It's KROQ not KROC

I drive the 210 every day, and what's strange is that on Sundays going westbound from about 4PM on....everyone is going 90 mph and there are no CHP's in sight. It only happens on late Sunday afternoons.

[39cent]

Originally Posted by HellsHotRods

The POSNIVE Merc belongs to a nice guy in Glendora. He built the car in his garage by himself.

It's KROQ not KROC

I drive the 210 every day, and what's strange is that on Sundays going westbound from about 4PM on....everyone is going 90 mph and there are no CHP's in sight. It only happens on late Sunday afternoons.

thanx for the tip!

[customcory]

I always drive like I got 40 lbs. of contraband in the back of the car, and it keeps you on the straight and narrow. Good thread, I always felt old cars keeps you alert. Drive a swingaxle vw in the rain with no brakes and windshield wipers a few years and really hone your skills. You sure as hell won't ride nobody's ass after that.

[4t64rd]

Try leaving the panhard bar off the front, and it's it's even more fun!

...I gotta get to that somedamnday...

[Weasel]

Yep, nothing replaces the synthesis of man, machine, road....

[weez]

Reminds me of going to work one day, (1992?) pulling a hill with my little 260 windsor, when a light blue chopped Merc with old lead work showing around the rear window blew past me in the fast lane going 80. License plate said "INTO IT". I was impressed, to say the least-

I also realized I need a bigger engine...

Only time I ever saw that car too-

[BOMONSTER]

Jive-Bomber, I always enjoy your posts. Everything you said rings true except the part about other people noticing your vintage ride. Yes, you will always get the thumbs up from the few, the proud, the aware. It's always a surprise to me the number of oblivious that don't notice the '49,'50,'36,'40,'34,'64,'56 rolling piece of love driving at speed right next to them. And that's fine. Because ultimately we drive what we drive because we love driving what we drive. Most will never get it. Heck, even some our own children don't get it. But we do. And that is why.