{"id":84721,"date":"2021-05-22T10:02:56","date_gmt":"2021-05-22T14:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=84721"},"modified":"2021-05-22T10:02:56","modified_gmt":"2021-05-22T14:02:56","slug":"collector-car-corner-comparing-cars-from-the-1950s-and-1960s-to-todays-computerized-marvels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2021\/05\/22\/collector-car-corner-comparing-cars-from-the-1950s-and-1960s-to-todays-computerized-marvels\/","title":{"rendered":"Collector Car Corner – Comparing cars from the 1950s and 1960s to today\u2019s computerized marvels"},"content":{"rendered":"

Q: Greg I enjoyed all of your articles in the recent Boston Herald insert on cars and it was a very enjoyable read. I\u2019d love to hear your opinion on how things were back in the \u201850s and \u201860s versus today\u2019s modern cars. What are your memories on yesteryear cars versus today\u2019s highly computerized vehicles? Back in the 1950s you were lucky if your car had air conditioning, power steering, and an automatic transmission. Thanks, Jim L., Boston, Mass.<\/p>\n

Q: Jim – thanks for the kind words, and I actually love this question as my friends and I always compare the cars we drive now to the cars of yesteryear. <\/p>\n

As you note, it\u2019s clear that the modern cars of today, some of which can actually drive themselves, are way better and much safer than the cars we grew up with seven decades ago. <\/p>\n

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, and when the new car introductions took place starting in late October, I always felt they were exterior \u201cbeauty\u2019s only skin deep\u201d upgrades more so than notable technical and suspension improvements. Clearly when it came to the actual new car season announcements, the words \u201cmechanical advancements\u201d weren\u2019t in the new car formulas. <\/p>\n

Further, many of the engines used in the 1950s were from the pre-WWII era. Flathead six- and eight-cylinder engines were the norm until the new overhead valve V8s appeared in 1949 by Olds and Cadillac and 1951 by Studebaker and Chrysler. <\/p>\n

Matter of fact, the inline-6 flathead in my dad\u2019s 1955 Plymouth Savoy was the same basic engine that powered Chrysler vehicles beginning in 1924. Although it had grown to 230 cu. in. from its 170-inch 1924 debut, it was the same engine in theory. This engine lasted until late 1959 when Chrysler released its all new inline Slant-6 overhead valve engine that proved to be one of its best engines both for durability and longevity and lasted until 1987 in the Dodge truck line. <\/p>\n

To answer your question (sorry about my Flathead-6 and Slant-6 ramblings), let\u2019s use 1957-58-59 as examples of \u201cnew cars\u201d that didn\u2019t necessarily mean new cars. Chrysler led the way with design changes that featured its exterior “forward look” cars. These three years also found the other manufacturers producing cars that looked nothing like the prior years, yet were still the same underneath. Chevy is another good example in 57-58-59, as is Buick. I really love the \u201858 and \u201859 Buicks, and the \u201860 model that was somewhat similar to the \u201959, but with smaller fins.<\/p>\n

Chrysler also made huge exterior design changes from \u201954 through \u201857, while over at Ford the big change years came in 1957 to \u201959, in my opinion. Still, these cars were mechanically the same with just a bit of progress to steering, brake, suspension, and interior upgrades.<\/p>\n

Studebaker is perhaps the best example of the \u201cbeauty\u2019s only skin deep\u201d viewpoint. (Okay, I\u2019ll give a tip of the hat here to The Temptations, one of my all-time favorite Motown groups.) Studebaker\u2019s poor sales and somewhat homely 1958 model was completely re-skinned for \u201959 with a new, good looking and smaller Lark body. <\/p>\n

The result? <\/p>\n

\"Collector<\/a>

The 1959 Studebaker Lark was basically a re-skinned version of its 1958 Studebaker. A bit smaller in wheelbase and length, this \u201cnew\u201d midsize Lark saved the company from bankruptcy while utilizing the exact same mechanicals from the full-size Studebaker that debuted in 1953. (Former Studebaker Company)<\/p><\/div>\n

The \u201cnew\u201d \u201959 Studebaker Lark sold so well it saved the company from bankruptcy. Even though there were no major mechanical differences other than being a bit smaller in wheelbase between the \u201858 Studebaker and \u201859 Lark, the Lark was a huge success. Other cars I really liked from that era were the \u201951 to \u201854 Hudson Hornets and Wasps, \u201853 Kaiser Manhattan, \u201853 to \u201956 Packards,\u201956 multi-colored Dodges, and the \u201855 and \u201856 Mercury\u2019s. Luxury favorites include the big Chrysler Imperials and just about any Cadillac, while the Lincoln Continental was not a favorite as it grew to massive proportions in \u201958 and \u201959.  <\/p>\n

The Sixties were similar, too, so we won\u2019t delve too much into this decade, style wise. Yet when it comes to performance, engine advancements and muscle, this was the decade of note. Everything from 409 Chevy Biscaynes, 406 Ford Galaxies and 413 Dodge Darts were everywhere, joined later by the midsize \u201cPony Car\u201d craze where Mustang Cobra Jets, Hemi Cudas, and Camaro Z28s roamed the nation\u2019s boulevards. Even AMC got into the game, as its 390 SC\/Rambler American could run as quickly as most of the other competition. Ditto for Buick with its Gran Sport and Olds with the 442.<\/p>\n

And the GTO? Thanks to Jim Wangers and John DeLorean, Pontiac started the midsize muscle craze back in 1964. Ronnie and the Daytona\u2019s took care of the radio airwaves with its hit single \u201cLittle GTO,\u201d pre-dated by the Beach Boys \u201cShe\u2019s real fine my 409\u201d in 1962 and Jan and Dean\u2019s \u201cLittle Old Lady From Pasadena\u201d honor of the 426 Super Stock Dodge in 1964. Again, what a great decade to experience.   <\/p>\n

\"Collector<\/a>

The 1960s became the decade of muscle cars and performance, starting with the full size performance cars of the early 1960s. This Dodge Ramcharger 413-V8 article featured in Motor Trend magazine in 1962 explained everything about the new engine. (Motor Trend Magazine)<\/p><\/div>\n

I\u2019ll admit the 1960s were very important as for muscle cars, but the family sedan with the Slant-6 under the hood didn\u2019t change much. If you had a \u201967 Dodge R\/T with no power steering, no air conditioning and no power whatever that would rob even one horsepower or add weight, that\u2019s just what those performance buffs wanted. However, this \u201967 Dodge R\/T came with four-wheel drum brakes, so one option you did want was front disc brakes as trying to stop the R\/T after a quarter-mile run and a short shutdown area was a tough task.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s end with the modern day comparison. All of today\u2019s cars come standard with computer controlled everything, electric hybrid options, tremendous safety innovations, airbags, and accident impact enhancements to reduce driver and passenger injuries. There may be too many computer-aided features, as an engineer friend always points to very high repair costs when these computers and \/ or electric batteries fail. Still, we agree the cars of today are awesome. <\/p>\n

In summary, the antiquated 1950 and 1960 decade vehicles we drove back then (you know, the ones that now bring five, six and seven figures at the Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auctions) can\u2019t compare in any manner to 2021 model cars.<\/p>\n

Yet \u201cskin deep\u201d or not, we still love them.   <\/p>\n

(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist. He welcomes reader questions and comments on collector cars, auto nostalgia and motorsports at greg@gregzyla.com<\/a>.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Q: Greg I enjoyed all of your articles in the recent Boston Herald insert on cars and it was a very enjoyable read. 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