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Re: Things that make you feel old
I've ridden in one of them, many years ago, but I guess those of us who had owned VW Beetles were pretty much immune from the charms of the Deux Chevaux! My second car (in 1961) was a 1959 Beetle - rare enough in Australia in those days that we beeped each other when we passed in the road. Then in Toronto in '64 my girlfriend's sister had one too - also a '59 model, I think. Wonderfully warm in the cold Canadian winter!
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Re: Things that make you feel old
I couldnt abide the original beetle, even with a bag of cement in the spare engine compartment, the front boot. Far too light at the front. My lady at the time was easily seduced intonan early golf. During my ‘affluent years’ i had the rich mans beetle, a porsche 3.3, same issue, just a lit quicker to get into trouble. Citroens are great fun, proof that the french can be just as eccentric as the british. Great ideas marred by the same manufacturing / union issues as leyland. My sisters 2cv - Bits falling off with great regularity littered the cars cubby holes, never did find out what some of the bits were that fell out of the dashboard, want to adjust the backrest - lean on it till it bends... |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Well, I guess that one of the things that makes us feel old is arguing about the respective merits of obsolete cars! The 2cv and the Beetle had this in common, that they were favoured by several law enforcement agencies - the one in France and the other in Germany. In 1964 I hitched from London to Hamburg and bought a second-hand Beetle that had formerly been owned by the Hamburg Police Dept. (It still had the Police colours - green and white, if I remember - but the salesman wouldn't let me keep them. It had to be painted all white before I could take it outside the lot.) It had a crash-gearbox - so what model-year might that have been? I'd never driven one before, and damn near dropped the transmission on the autobahn while learning!
I drove that thing on crappy back-roads (mainly) down to Ankara, parked it in the Customs shed for three months, then back to London via Moscow. When the transmission bearings (or whatever...!) cracked up behind what was then the Iron Curtain, a mechanic replaced them with a Fiat unit. A fabulous machine, in every way! |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Its not reasly argument - more reminiscing the good times - Arent cars soooo good these days generally Gorden. So long as one avoids the more obvious dogs, japanese saloons go forever, even with electronics... Some great official mashups exist, eg one loves italian design and even engineering of things like motorbikes, then one of the italian firms decides to abrogate electrics to suzuki - as laverda did, or honda - which mv augusta do now. Result happiness... What is a lambourghini but a pretty italian dress on an audi fraulein. My most extreme - i had a daihatsu charade gtti, special japan only edition, a 1 litre 3 cylinder 175 bhp pocket rocket that had 2 tanks, petrol and water. The turbo ran HOT so used water injection that = steam = more power and cooler running - for about 30k miles when you bought a new engine for about 1000 pounds. An audi rs4 was boringly reliable and not as quick subjectively and cost a fortune to feed and water. |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by caretaker
(Post 12495151)
I didn't know that, I remember the DS was supposed to be almost impossible to roll. The DS steering wheel impressed me when I was young, as well. In the days before safety belts they eliminated the steering column that would go through your chest in case of a head-on.
But despite that I would love the opportunity to drive one again. Just not all the way back from Arizona!!! |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by DandNHill
(Post 12495269)
I learnt to drive on a 2CV. No power steering...those were the days. I drove 300km a few days after I got my license and by the time we got to Reims my boyfriend had to help me turn corners I was so exhausted! But despite that I would love the opportunity to drive one again. Just not all the way back from Arizona!!! |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by DandNHill
(Post 12495269)
I learnt to drive on a 2CV. No power steering...those were the days.
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by DandNHill
(Post 12495269)
I learnt to drive on a 2CV. No power steering...those were the days. I drove 300km a few days after I got my license and by the time we got to Reims my boyfriend had to help me turn corners I was so exhausted! But despite that I would love the opportunity to drive one again. Just not all the way back from Arizona!!! Possibly the silliest thing I've done in a car was a driving challenge on one of those corporate team-building days, at Thruxton race circuit, I think. A bunch of cones set up in a field, which we were to navigate in a 2CV that had the steering connected in reverse, so you turn the wheel right to steer left. I spent the entire time I went round (I seem to recall I did pretty well) muttering under my breath "It's a boat; that's a tiller. It's a boat; that's a tiller..." I hate old Beetles. Not for any rational reason - more just a visceral reaction to the one a long-ago girlfriend owned. It took me much too long to realize that the only reason she condescended to be seen in public with me was because I could keep her wretched car on the road. I spent more time under the car than under... no, let's not go there ;) |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Oakvillian
(Post 12495582)
Both my dad and my sister owned 2CVs at one point. Great fun cars - the umbrella-handle gearstick issuing from the dashboard was one of many strokes of design genius.
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Re: Things that make you feel old
If you want a heavy car to drive try a Lada, we had one, no power steering so even heavier to turn the wheels, however it did get us down from the UK to the South of France with no problems, except that you needed to send a postcard in order to overtake as it was grossly underpowered. Interestingly one tip for driving in winter was to put the headlights on full for about 5 minutes before trying to start the car as it warmed the electrics up.!
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Re: Things that make you feel old
1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 12495587)
I think I’d stop short of calling it a stroke of genius. I recently drove a Mehari (sort of a 2CV in pyjamas) which had no handbrake. The umbrella shift has first and reverse in the same plane but backwards; one pulls to go forwards and pushes to go back. That’s hard to remember when under pressure so on steep slopes each start was a leap of faith; would I shoot forward up the hill or backward off the cliff? For me, a more conventional gear lever would not detract from the charm of the vehicle.
1972 CITROEN MÉHARI - Beach Car, Unique, Rare, Collectable, Super FUN Vehicle When I have my mid life crisis it will either be a DS21 or maybe one of these fiat 500L 1972 vintage |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Partially discharged
(Post 12495617)
Here's one for sale.
1972 CITROEN MÉHARI - Beach Car, Unique, Rare, Collectable, Super FUN Vehicle When I have my mid life crisis it will either be a DS21 or maybe one of these fiat 500L 1972 vintage https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1961-citroen-id19/ |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 12495625)
When I get to mid-life I'd like a Series 1 XJ6; one with all those rocker switches. This would be tempting though, if I'd reached that point:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1961-citroen-id19/ This looks like a fun road trip. https://citroenrendezvous.org/#home |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Partially discharged
(Post 12495678)
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Re: Things that make you feel old
For when you want to arrive by Citroen but the Mehari is too formal : https://bringatrailer.com/2018/05/07...r-in-maryland/
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 12495959)
For when you want to arrive by Citroen but the Mehari is too formal : https://bringatrailer.com/2018/05/07...r-in-maryland/
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by DandNHill
(Post 12496299)
Love it! Wonder what the suspension is like? https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-citroen-sm-15/ |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 12496320)
It's from the Ami and reported to be very much like that of the 2CV, Citroens are all the rage at the auction site lately, ID19, 2CV, the parachutable thing and now this:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-citroen-sm-15/ Here was a standard US car in that era..I'm sure with the rear seats facing the back window 1972 Chrysler Town and Country Wagon | MJC Classic Cars | Pristine Classic Cars For Sale - Locator Service |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Partially discharged
(Post 12496337)
That is a beautiful looking car...unfortunately it is 'automatique'..did they make it in 'manual'.
Here was a standard US car in that era..I'm sure with the rear seats facing the back window 1972 Chrysler Town and Country Wagon MJC Classic Cars Pristine Classic Cars For Sale - Locator Service I wouldn't say that's the most attractive giant piece of Americana I've seen but I expect it had one of those neat electric gate windows so you could lower it and let the exhaust fumes lull the kids in the back to sleep. |
Re: Things that make you feel old
It's not mid-life crisis material but I rather like this: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ruiser-fj60-4/ Didn't you have one of these dbd?
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
(Post 12496604)
It's not mid-life crisis material but I rather like this: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ruiser-fj60-4/ Didn't you have one of these dbd?
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Re: Things that make you feel old
"Things that make you feel old"
When nans start fancying you. :( |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 12496985)
"Things that make you feel old"
When nans start fancying you. :( |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 12496985)
"Things that make you feel old"
When nans start fancying you. :( |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Partially discharged
(Post 12497107)
Nannies or Nanas?
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Just been debating how old Marie Osmond is as she’s doing a commercial for Nutrisystem. She’s 58! We decided she looked young and that because we’re getting old(er) “old†people don’t look as old as they used to! |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by DandNHill
(Post 12497128)
Just been debating how old Marie Osmond is as she’s doing a commercial for Nutrisystem. She’s 58! We decided she looked young and that because we’re getting old(er) “old†people don’t look as old as they used to! |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Rich people usually look better than the hoi polloi when they get older, especially rich people in show business.
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by caretaker
(Post 12497172)
Rich people usually look better than the hoi polloi when they get older, especially rich people in show business.
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by bats
(Post 12497218)
that's because they lead blameless lives bestowing grace and favour condo the riffraff. Their faces are unblemished by common cares. |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 12496985)
"Things that make you feel old"
When nans start fancying you. :( Spoiler:
:p |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Stepson and stepdaughter (26 and 28) talking about new TV series "Lost In Space" being inspired by the movie and not knowing that movie was based on the original 1960s TV series. (I didn't tell them about the Swiss Family Robinson connection)
I had to tell them how annoying it was for me because it overlapped with Doctor Who on Saturdays and no VCRs in those days. |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 12606465)
Stepson and stepdaughter (26 and 28) talking about new TV series "Lost In Space" being inspired by the movie and not knowing that movie was based on the original 1960s TV series. (I didn't tell them about the Swiss Family Robinson connection)
I had to tell them how annoying it was for me because it overlapped with Doctor Who on Saturdays and no VCRs in those days. |
Re: Things that make you feel old
50 years ago Frank Sinatra first records My Way which was written by Paul Anka.
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Re: Things that make you feel old
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 12606551)
Sid's version? ;)
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Seeing that very old mad scientist on "Back to the Future" and thinking.... actually, he's not THAT old.
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Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 12606675)
Seeing that very old mad scientist on "Back to the Future" and thinking.... actually, he's not THAT old.
Just watching those movies now makes me feel old, I still like them, but now that the future has passed us it didn't turn out as cool...lol The actor in the movie for Doc Brown was only 47 in the first movie. I feel old anytime i talk about something from the 1990's at work, very few of those I work with were old enough in the 1990's to remember anything, most being born in the 1998 to 2000 time frame with a few 1995's, but other then a 3 supervisors, nobody else I work with was born before 1994. |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 12607007)
Just watching those movies now makes me feel old, I still like them, but now that the future has passed us it didn't turn out as cool...lol
I feel old anytime i talk about something from the 1990's at work, very few of those I work with were old enough in the 1990's to remember anything, most being born in the 1998 to 2000 time frame with a few 1995's, but other then a 3 supervisors, nobody else I work with was born before 1994. I hear you. I'm the oldest person in the company I work for - in nearly 400 people.. then when I think back to the 60's and 70's - and can remember all the words to most of the songs..and remember dancing to the majority of them.. that makes me feel old, lol. As did watching the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody" - cause I met Freddie and Brian and the boys back then. :D |
Re: Things that make you feel old
Originally Posted by Siouxie
(Post 12607011)
I hear you. I'm the oldest person in the company I work for - in nearly 400 people.. then when I think back to the 60's and 70's - and can remember all the words to most of the songs..and remember dancing to the majority of them.. that makes me feel old, lol. As did watching the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody" - cause I met Freddie and Brian and the boys back then.
:D The album is superb... |
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