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Never meet your heroes!

Reaper

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There is an old saying - Never meet your heroes.... And from personal experience it's largely true. Along with this, as a kid growing up in the 80's 2 of the hottest cars one could aspire to were KITT and Face man from the A-Team's Corvette. On the screen to a 10yo in the early 80's the white Corvette was sleek, modern and just awesome.

Sadly, roughly a decade later I actually managed to drive one, even considered buying it. All I can say was what a disappointment! Handling was so-so, performance was ok although somewhat asthmatic and interior space and ergonomics was akin to sitting in a coffin.

Of course this is not across the board - the iconic Porsche 911 of the era, although quirky and with it's own handling idiosyncrasies due to the rear motor and trans-axle but wow, what an experience. However, as a person who is an unabashed fan of most cars in the golden muscle car era of the 60's and early 70's, having owned several and driven many, I have to say that most of these cars are very much better being looked at or taken out for a nice cruise up beach road on a sunny Sunday afternoon rather than any sort of performance driving.

The one thing cars of this era have have is their own unmistakable character which is something that nearly all modern cars are lacking. When it's all said and done - for a car to drive, I'll take the new car every time. For something to appreciate int he garage I'd be perfectly happy with my old LX Hatch thrash machine back any day.
 
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Tonner Matt

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We must be of around the same vintage Reaper.
I too remember growing up watching Kitt, Face's Corvette and my other favourites were The General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard and The Bandits Trans Am.
My first car was actually a Barbados Green 74' LH 4 Door, had so much fun in that thing when I owned it, and man did it cop an absolute hiding every time I drove it. Wish I still had it today too.
I agree with your description of the corvette too, I looked at buying one a few years back now and I wasn't at all excited about the interior styling or space. Definitely a good looker from the outside though.
I had the opportunity to drive a Bandit Trans Am in the early 90's. Not the quickest thing that I have driven but would definitely make room for one in the garage. Would be a great weekend cruise car.

Another one that I just remembered was the Coyote X from a TV show called Hardcastle & McCormack. If you have never seen or heard of the show, Google it as there is plenty of information on the car and the show out there. There is even a Wikipedia page about it.
 
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R

Risky

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Lol yeah I was the same kid who grew up on these shows. The car I really wanted from TV/Movies was the Lotus Esprit S1 from the Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. Who wouldn't want a car that can go underwater?

Corvettes? I would never own one in a million years. Too problematic. If we lived in the US I'm sure parts & specialists are available but here people are scratching their heads. The guy who services my cars owns a Chevrolet Corvette C4 & it's been a running project of his for years. Sure it looks nice but GM at that time used half assed engineering & design on it. His red C4 has badly faded paint, the body rattles & squeaks, handling is woeful from the rear leaf spring that replaced the coil springs & body roll. The paint used on them is woeful but worst of all was the anti pollution system that robbed the 350 of it's performance. 170kW is crappy at best but you could see that the fat boys from Kentucky were just interested in their pay cheques from the way it was put together. It had no heart or soul. The US built some crap cars in the 80's & i'm glad we never had them here.

To me, a car that can give you excitement & puts a smile on your face every time you drive it, is the one you own. Cars have a personality. These new cheap & woeful buzzboxes that you see on the roads with bland styling, bland interior & bland engine is like ordering from a fast food chain that has no taste in it's food.
 

Trennaa

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I genuinely don't care what anyone says - if there was a DMC DeLorean up my driveway - even just to show me, not to own.

i would be so happy in the pants region.
 

commodore665

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Common thread is early 80's and American and that = crap & built by idiots . I'd go for the Magnum PI , Ferrari 308 GT .
 

Not_An_Abba_Fan

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Perspective is everything. I grew up in the 70's and owned and drove a few different "muscle" cars over the years. When you are in the 80's and you are driving an 80's car, that's how they handle. That's how the look and feel. Back then, these cars WERE new and that's all you had. Comparing ride, handling and ergonomics of that era to todays standards is not a fair comparison. If you jumped in one of those cars back then when it was new, it would have been a different experience. Just like today. In 20 years time, what we have today will be outdated and prehistoric. Compare todays cars to those in 20 years time and you will most likely come away with the same attitude, they would definitely be lacking.
 

Trennaa

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Not_An_Abba_Fan

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Who knows? I doubt we will have hover vehicles any time soon. Although the drone technology is getting better.
 

VS 5.0

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