A colleague magazine recently published the video of a test with two classics on its website. A Alfa Romeo Giulia and a Triumph Dolomite were compared. Delightful sports sedans from the old days, who were pleased because of their sporty character, riding characteristics and striking lines. And those owners sometimes drove to despair because of their quirks, own will and technical imperfections. This combination of ingredients was the reason to watch the video.
The published reactions of the people, who had probably already viewed the item, aroused curiosity. The vast majority of the sjoechem consisted of adhesions and warm memories of the Seventies wannahaves. Not everyone turned out to be praised for these classics. For example, one commentator talked about "false nostalgia". He also mentioned "progress during the past forty years."
Voyage of peoples
In particular, the finding that the industry has made the necessary progress over the past 40 year was a trigger. Of course, the automotive industry has led to innovation. Add to this the fact that during the past decades the average lifespan of a car and the mileage have also increased and the conclusion seems justified that the car has pushed itself into the pace of peoples.
Man and machine
It is also nice that it is made as easy and comfortable as possible for the driver of a modern means of transport. But despite all the progress: it used to be an adventure to drive a Beetle to Austria. And in -for example, a Alfa Romeo Giulia or one Triumph Until today, drivers are allowed to work on the ideal interplay between man and mechanics. A covenant that is presented in creations dripping with the love of historically great designers. Today appealing and regularly impressive cars are being drawn, but more than desired the influence of marketing, sales and art directors is noticeable.
Helio Antico
Very large gentlemen such as Michelotti and Pininfarina used to be just called designer. Do you feel the difference? In historic cars, things like detailing, a razor-sharp pencil, chrome, helio antico upholstery, steering feel, work ethic and non-programmed engine sound were decisive for the experience. Nowadays, the number of buttons, sensors, systems, gadgets and the presence of an artificial ambilight ambiance are leading factors for imaging. Just to name a few examples. It is these modern delicacies that make everything just become dry bread. You get used to it. It also pushes the car - no matter how beautiful it is - in the dubious "piece of look" spectrum. Whether it costs ten or eighty mille.
Nostalgic driver experience
Certainly: the automobile industry made progress in terms of equipment options. That is good news for those who want to go from A to B with the imaginary calculator in mind. Yet they would do well to go out for an hour, part of a day or a day with a wonderful sixties, seventies or eighties car. Ten to one that the majority actually - again - feels what the drivers' experience of the past means. Or at least estimate the true old-fashioned driving experience. Will keep longing for it. At the same time there will be a realization that car happiness was not normal at all, but a privilege.
Awareness
Whoever gets into a Beetle, a Fiat 124 Spider, a Mercedes-Benz from the seventies, a Giulia, a BMW 2002, a Dolomite or one of the many other historic vehicles will experience a pleasant awareness. And that indicates that a firm step in the past leads to what is normally only assigned to future principles. Anyone who dares will realize that pure mechanics uncovers the qualities (and sometimes the imperfections) of the classic unfiltered. It is a nostalgic step forward anyway.
Say it
We return to the classic for a moment Alfa Romeo Julia. Exactly, that's the namesake of Alfacurrent middle class. It is also called "Giulia". That's not for nothing. And what about the retro hype, which is still current. We need only mention the Mini and the Fiat 500. Success numbers of today use the big name of the past. That's not for nothing. And look at a manufacturer like Peugeot. And ask yourself the question, in which era Sochaux real Peugeots built. And: do owners write off a classic? Or is the heritage generally worth more?
Progression. It is a relative term.