We're getting way off topic, but the concept of being "more willing to do their own management of life's risks" is just as important here as it was (is) for risks associated with driving.
Followed by a one syllable word begging with the letter F when you look out of your cracked windshield and see nothing but blue, which used to be your hood. Not that I speak from experience or anything...Solid steel dashboards, non-collapsible steering columns, a thud and either moaning or dead silence after a wreck were the definition of airbags back then...
I also have a 68 coupe and this opinion is right on the nose. You have to be a much more "active" and cautious driver when operating that vehicle. The car itself is not safe by modern standards, so if you get hit, it's going to cause some serious damage to you. The brakes suck so you cannot stop on a dime and the steering box, even when new, will have a lot of play in it so it kind of 'wanders' around as you go down the road.
I just wish that everyone else would recognize that my 40+ year old car or truck does not handle/stop as well as their new honda. Got cut off this morning, luckily it didn't amount to anything, but dude, if you cut me off like that when I'm in a 34 year old bronco and the person in front of you has to hit their brakes, I'm coming through your back window, doesn't matter. And at least that has power brakes and disc fronts. there's still no anti-lock feature, it will lock up in a heartbeat and slide.I also have a 68 coupe and this opinion is right on the nose. You have to be a much more "active" and cautious driver when operating that vehicle. The car itself is not safe by modern standards, so if you get hit, it's going to cause some serious damage to you. The brakes suck so you cannot stop on a dime and the steering box, even when new, will have a lot of play in it so it kind of 'wanders' around as you go down the road.
A resto mod, i'm sure is on another level, but as they sit from the factory like mine is, there is a night and day difference between a modern car and a 60's muscle car.
The smells and sounds though more than make up for it.
Yeah, I very rarely drive the 68, and when I do it's short distances. I never pull out in front of anyone or ride anyone's ass. Makes me wonder how people drove back when the car was new. Were they as aggressive?
Even from my memories of driving 20 years ago, people where not near as aggressive, because handling and braking were not nearly as forgiving. except for sports cars. guys in camaros, mustangs, firebirds drove like everyone does today, tailgating, cutting through traffic, etc. but the minivans and trucks always gave decent room and a wide birth. I'd imagine that decades before that people gave a bit more room to each other as cars got progressively worse the further back you go.
Now that you mention it, I do miss being able to put my left arm up on the top of the door.
One of my favorite things about old cars.
