The Age-Old Debate: What Makes Classic Cars More Desirable?
They Just Don’t Make Them Like They Used To
We’ve all heard the cliché: classic cars are in some way, shape or form better than their modern counterparts. But what makes something older, less reliable and perhaps less practical, more desirable? To try and answer the question, I’ve put together 8 reasons why classic cars strike a chord with enthusiasts in a way modern cars don’t.
1. — They’re simple
Sure, you can’t boast to your mates about the five-setting traction control, or that you can change the mood lighting at the push of a button, but do you really need all that? Classics are simple: you get a steering wheel, a set of pedals and if you’re lucky, seatbelts. That’s it. There’s nothing insulating you from the driving experience, making it raw, undiluted.
Everything is connected to each other, physically. There’s no electric power steering and, in some cases, no power steering at all. The same applies to convertible tops, windows and trunk lids. If it moves, you’re the one powering it.
2. — They’re simple…again
Apart from being simple to drive, classics tend to be simple to work on. Without sophisticated computers or a barrage of sensors, even an amateur mechanic can keep a classic on the road.
The VW Beetle, Ford Mustang and MGB have all gained popularity because of how widespread and easy to work on they were.
Of course, there are exceptions; I can’t imagine working on something like a 1930s Duesenberg is easy, but stay away from the exotics and you won’t need a degree in engineering to change the oil and brakes.
3. They’re miniature, lighter versions of modern cars
Ask 1950s designers to re-create a classic car today, and I’m pretty sure they’d quit on the spot. Designing a car in 2020 is much harder. Things like crumple zones, minimum headlight heights and thick a-pillars have to be woven into the car’s design, without making it look awkward.
Couple that with things like air conditioning, ten speakers, and all the other luxuries we’ve come to expect, and it’s no surprise cars are getting bigger and heavier. The Mini, VW Polo and Porsche 911 are all examples of cars that have put on weight over time, and it shows.
4. Classics are stylish
Sure, a 2020 Jaguar F-Type gets plenty of attention, until you park a Series 1 E-Type next to it. Whether it’s the lashings of chrome or the fact that designers were allowed to create whatever they liked, classic cars tend to draw more attention. They’ve influenced tv, pop culture and music in a way modern cars don’t seem to.
5. They’re secretly plotting to kill you
Stability control? No. Traction control? Neither. Anti-lock brakes? Not a chance. Most classic cars do without the driving aids we take for granted. Couple that with skinny tyres, live rear axles and drum brakes, and you have a recipe for fun…or a big accident.
Controversial as it may be, part of the charm of owning a classic is that you have to be on your toes while driving it. There are no safety nets; a pinch too hard on the brakes will send you sliding off the road.
On the other hand, keeping things on the road, especially after a long, twisty drive, is far more satisfying. You feel like you’ve accomplished something when you make it back in one piece, and that’s because you have. Driving classics requires focus and involvement.
6. You need to know what you’re doing
Things like throttle control, pumping the brakes and double-clutching are all becoming lost arts. Drivers were forced to come up with techniques to keep their cars out of the hedges before computers did it for them. The fact that what they came up with also made them faster, was a bonus. Modern cars tend to cushion the driver, taking care of all the technical bits, so you can sit back and adjust the sat-nav safely.
Some cars, like the Subaru BRZ, will even blip the throttle for you on downshifts, making you sound like a racing driver. But from the driver’s seat? It’s just not the same.
7. Prices
Over their life span, most car prices tend to follow an inverted, u-shaped curve. They’re expensive when new, drop significantly after a few years, then re-appreciate in value once they reach cult-classic status.
If you look in the right place, at the right time, there are countless bargains to be had. A C3 Corvette for $15,000? How about a 1970s Rolls Royce for $10,000? Running costs won’t be cheap, but there’s no denying you’re getting a lot of car for your money. There’s also the potential for profit if you decide to sell it on further down the line. Count me in!
8. They assault the senses
Whether it’s the headache-inducing smell of petrol or the vanilla-scented leather conditioner, classic cars appeal to more senses than modern ones. You don’t get the ‘new car’ smell, but what you get instead is something much richer, that will linger for years to come.
They sound good too. From the squeal of rubber to the crackle of a carburetted exhaust note, there’s no denying classic cars have a tenancy to sound better than their modern rivals.
Conclusion?
To sum things up, old cars have a soul. They may not be practical, reliable or particularly safe, but they do have charm.
It’s an argument that’s been brought up countless times, but to this day, nothing seems to have changed. No matter how much technology manufacturers stuff into their latest offerings, it doesn’t seem to compensate for the passion that used to go into building a car, sometimes by hand.
Which would you pick, the endearing classic, that might leave you stranded, or the modern econobox that will always get you home? If you’re like me, you’ll have one of each stashed away in your garage.
