What are things that has faded away on modern cars and trucks..

[peteski]

1 hour ago, GLMFAA1 said:

Ziebart undercoating,

Blast from the past. We also had Rusty Jones rustproofing system.

[Rob Hall]

13 minutes ago, peteski said:

Good for her!

But that was a passenger car.  Try that in a large contemporary SUV like I mentioned.   It would likely not be much fun for her.

No..though large contemporary SUVs like her Navigator are very easy to drive...power everything...the idea of driving something like that without power everything is unimaginable.

[peteski]

2 minutes ago, Rob Hall said:

No..though large contemporary SUVs like her Navigator are very easy to drive...power everything...the idea of driving something like that without power everything is unimaginable.

Exactly. That was the point of my original post, replying to Bills post where he mentioned that all the power "things" on today's vehicles are not needed.  We're all just having fun here.

[Tabbysdaddy]

3 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

Quite the common sight here -- has been for decades. Can't see over the tiller without pulling the seat almost to the windscreen ! Even more better is when their drunk-before-noon husband/baby daddy/boyfriend is sitting in the front passenger seat, completely incapable of doing anything more than loading up said SUV with cases of cheap beer.

When my wife and I go places I almost always drive. I tell her I don't want people thinking I'm some unlicensed loser that needs his girlfriend to drive him around, which is what I think when I see a man on the passenger side.

[1972coronet]

5 minutes ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

When my wife and I go places I almost always drive. I tell her I don't want people thinking I'm some unlicensed loser that needs his girlfriend to drive him around, which is what I think when I see a man on the passenger side.

More worserer is when the same unlicenced loser sits back whilst his wife/baby momma/girlfriend pumps fuel into the vehicle, energy drink in hand, hat on backwards, seatback reclined, yawning. 

Edited July 4, 2023 by 1972coronet
*TYPO*

[Ace-Garageguy]

15 hours ago, peteski said:

That was the point of my original post, replying to Bills post where he mentioned that all the power "things" on today's vehicles are not needed.  

Not what I said at all. I said my Porsche 911, one of the most responsive cars of the era, had no need for assisted brakes and steering. Neither, of course, did drum-braked 356 Porsches, VW Beetles, etc.

I also said pre-wimpified normal people, including diminutive women, could drive normal production cars with no power assisted brakes and steering.

The reasons were several, but two big ones were: 1) though American cars were heavy, they weren't 6000 pound road crushers like people seem to think they need for "safety" today, and 2) huge steering wheels, skinny tires, high-ratio steering gearboxes, and "self-servoing" drum brakes with long pedal arms lessened the effort required. 

Of course, big heavy American cars weren't noted for being particularly responsive or sweet-handling.

But as vehicle systems progressed technically, power-assist on basic controls became more of a requirement. 3) Rack-and-pinion steering is by-design higher effort than earlier systems, and on a heavy front-engined car with rack-and-pinion, power-assist is almost a necessity.

4) Likewise, disc brakes usually require more effort due to their nature, and again, power-assist is usually necessary for heavier vehicles equipped with discs.

Times change...but when I see a grown "man" who can't deal with non-power-everything, I just have to laugh. 

And I'm so glad I'm not one of 'em.  

EDIT: One thing that "fashion" mandates today (that's stupidly counter-functional) is huge heavy rims and tires. The really big ones just aren't required for exceptional stopping, handling, or traction. All you need to do to prove it to yourself is look at road-race cars that usually run 18 inchers, max, with very light tires.

Huge, heavy rims and tires, part of undesirable "unsprung weight", actually make a car ride harder, accelerate slower, use more gas, and interfere with good roadholding. And the bigger ones on 4X4 mall-crawlers are totally unnecessary.

But nobody in "look at me" mode (and those who market to 'em) seems to know, or care.

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy
TYPO

[Calb56]

Station wagons, as well as Oldsmobile...though you can find a wagon or two.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/vista-cruiser/

[GT350]

Carburetors. Vapor lock. Draft tubes. That oily strip up the middle of the roadway.

The ability to order a car with an interior color other than gray, tan or black. You used to be able to order cars with interiors in white, saddle, red, green, light, medium and dark blue as well as black.

You also used to be able to order a cheap stripper car with the biggest engine you could. Now if you want the big engine you have to buy the entire package or trim level.