Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Varche on 05 November 2015, 11:51:45
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We were talking about this in the boozer last night. We concluded that it was (for us as we are all a similar age) the 70's.
Powerful cars(but not a patch on todays cars for speed, handling, gadgets), cheap fuel, nothing on the roads and not much in the way of speed cameras and regulation. I could do Leicester to Scarborough in 2 hours 20 as opposed to 3.30 yesterday. Everywhere is limited speed wise and lorries doing 56 overtaking lorries that are doing 50.
When was /is your golden age of motoring.?
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The common one is considered the 30s, though I've always thought that's a bit rose-tinted, perhaps, as the Bentleys, Bugattis, Delages, Talbot-Lagos, Lagondas and Rollers isn't really the fair cross-section of the working man's motoring life, which was a motorbike and sidecar, if that. Golden age for those that could afford it, perhaps, but that applies then, to anything. 'Golden age of Britain'-the early Victorian era - not if you're a slave or a chimneysweep. 'Golden age of France' - pre-revolutionary/republic France - not if you're someone starving to death and cholera-ridden while Versailles are vomiting with the vast amounts of food they're gorging themselves on etc etc...
I like your thoughs, with the 70s. Personally I like the 50s as an era, as a whole. Not only were the car designs fresh, but new, bold, American-influenced designs (as they were in the 70s of course) but The RAF was like a brand new Force with Jets, we had the finest car industry, aero industry, brand new nuclear powerplants, off the ration, fresh new art, colours, architectural styles, the NHS was fresh, exciting, and new, the brown of WW2 was being painted over with what must have felt like the future to every home.
Imagine seeing a PA Cresta, a Vulcan bomber, a High-rise block of flats, TV, technicolor Films for the first time... and then going to the doctors, and being treat using brand new equipment, for free, when the likelihood was your grandparents died because they couldnt afford the medicine. Must have felt incredible.
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It's clearly an weighted question ::) to which the only answer is the year you passed your test/got your first car...
Halcyon days ne'er to be repeated :'(
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Imagine seeing a PA Cresta, a Vulcan bomber, a High-rise block of flats, TV, technicolor Films for the first time... and then going to the doctors, and being treat using brand new equipment, for free, when the likelihood was your grandparents died because they couldnt afford the medicine. Must have felt incredible.
Yes, and when we needed a new jet aircraft/nuclear power station/noteveninventedyet we just got on a built it, instead of trying to bribe Chinese / Indians / French companies to come and do it for us. >:(
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Harris is of course correct. It will be influenced by when you started driving. Young, carefree, the freedom of getting in your car to go where you want when you want etc.
So for me it was the 70,s. There are the added factors mentioned by Varche - petrol at 70p per gallon, very light traffic by todays standards, lack of speed cameras etc. Cars weren't as quick as they are now, but plenty quick enough to have fun in. It wasnt difficult to have a car weighing less than a ton, with over 100bhp and rear wheel drive and skinny plastic tyres. That's where all us old geezers learnt to drive cars sideways and steer them on the throttle.
A modern 170bhp 1400kg hatchback with all kinds of "safety" systems just isn't the same, even if you could use its performance without being detected by big brother.
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1950' - 60's for me, just so many cars from that time that I love and designs I think today's modern cars just cant come close to.
- Mk2 Jag
- E-type
- 250 GTO
- Original fiat 500
- Original Mini
- AC Cobra & Daytona
This is despite passing my test in 2001 I hasten to add ;).
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80's for me :D Cheap petrol and 2 stroke 250/350's ;D
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I'm thinking back seat activity, rather than anything to do with motoring. Hence the 80s.
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Every era, had a special meaning, 1960's would be the mini, 1970's dtv cars, works escorts, then came the 80's grbB wtc, these extended into the 90's again wrc, and wtc then gtc cars, and some mad road cars lotus Carlton for a start. That's just cars.
most of us as previously have said we will pick the era when we were about 18-25, single pocket full of cash etc. :)
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1960's and 70's, possibly 80's. When the average lad could have a good go at 'fixing' cars. Just an engine, with plugs and points, and various bits that bolted on. You could even fiddle with the carburettor jets and it still ran, if somewhat rough. ;D
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Mid fifties to mid sixties because of riding round with my dad in the family Super Snipe-new one every couple of years to '67 when they stopped making them.
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1960's and 70's, possibly 80's. When the average lad could have a good go at 'fixing' cars. Just an engine, with plugs and points, and various bits that bolted on. You could even fiddle with the carburettor jets and it still ran, if somewhat rough. ;D
Never had a Solex fuelled V6 Ford with autochoke then... ::)
Quickest way to sort it out was to pull another one from a running car ;D
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1960's and 70's, possibly 80's. When the average lad could have a good go at 'fixing' cars. Just an engine, with plugs and points, and various bits that bolted on. You could even fiddle with the carburettor jets and it still ran, if somewhat rough. ;D
Never had a Solex fuelled V6 Ford with autochoke then... ::)
Quickest way to sort it out was to pull another one from a running car ;D
Or a 1.6 Pinto inflicted with a VV carb. Which you removed complete with the manifold and replaced with 32/36DGAV off a 2.0l.
My vote is very late 80s, as we spent many of our evenings racing around Maidstone's oneway system. Going down the bridge after the pub was the end of a good evening.
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To me the 1990's as cars were getting much more reliable with higher power-to-weight rations, much better engineering tolerances, so they lasted longer and the scourge of the anti-motorist taliban was in its infancy until 1997+. :y :y :y
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I reckon it's the present day. I pased my test in 1956, and cars were rubbish then. Now I can buy a car for a few hundred pounds that would knock any 1960 car into a cocked hat. I have cruised round Europe in the 130s in Senators and Omegas, and touched 160mph. Modern cars are fast, cheap and reliable. And they last so long! I have owned engines that had covered 200,000 miles, still going as good as new. The internet provides advice and camaraderie from owners of similar cars, and access to cheap spares and used parts.
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I passed my test in 1969 but fondest memories are of 50s cars. Nearly all black in colour - Ford Prefect, Popular, Rovers, Humber Hawk, Super Snipe, Standard Ensign, Vauxhall Wyvern etc
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I reckon it's the present day. I pased my test in 1956, and cars were rubbish then. Now I can buy a car for a few hundred pounds that would knock any 1960 car into a cocked hat. I have cruised round Europe in the 130s in Senators and Omegas, and touched 160mph. Modern cars are fast, cheap and reliable. And they last so long! I have owned engines that had covered 200,000 miles, still going as good as new. The internet provides advice and camaraderie from owners of similar cars, and access to cheap spares and used parts.
Stephen Fry was asked what era he'd most like to live in (presuming he'd answer the Cocktail party 30s or live like Lord Melchett in Blackadder with Elizabeth I or the medieval times etc.. ) he answered today, right now. Because this instant, right here is the very pinnacle of human acheivement, we can look back on everything, and see it, but we can still enjoy the best man has every done, too. So I see your point there, Terry :y.
Maybe in 30 years I'll be saying the same, 2015, as right now I still am living in the era of my first/second car which I repair daily, no kids, ok job, cheap flat, cheap food, but happy etc... maybe I'm imagining a decade different to how it was, as you say Terry, you lived it first hand. I'm just going by what the books paint the decade as. :)
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Gone for the 80's due to the fun we had on motorbikes and fond memories of my Capri 3.0S.
80's for me :D Cheap petrol and 2 stroke 250/350's ;D
I've still got one in my garage from early 90's. :y Fully restored, fully working and ready to ring ting ting ting. :y
Not road legal due to lack of reg, knobbly's and the fact it's a dirt bike. :)
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The year you became 17. :y
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Gone for the 80's due to the fun we had on motorbikes and fond memories of my Capri 3.0S.
80's for me :D Cheap petrol and 2 stroke 250/350's ;D
I've still got one in my garage from early 90's. :y Fully restored, fully working and ready to ring ting ting ting. :y
Not road legal due to lack of reg, knobbly's and the fact it's a dirt bike. :)
Would that be a KH750 or a Kettle , both of which i never owned . My mate had a KH500 way back then , talk about neck snapping acceleration :o I lusted after an RD500 but had to make do with the feeble 250 air cooled then the 350YPVS :)
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Mate of mine back in early 70's bought a new Kawasaki 250 triple[seem to remember it was called a Samurai]really fancied one of those,but had to stick with my Honda CD175 and then 1954 Ariel 600 VB instead.
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Gone for the 80's due to the fun we had on motorbikes and fond memories of my Capri 3.0S.
80's for me :D Cheap petrol and 2 stroke 250/350's ;D
I've still got one in my garage from early 90's. :y Fully restored, fully working and ready to ring ting ting ting. :y
Not road legal due to lack of reg, knobbly's and the fact it's a dirt bike. :)
Would that be a KH750 or a Kettle , both of which i never owned . My mate had a KH500 way back then , talk about neck snapping acceleration :o I lusted after an RD500 but had to make do with the feeble 250 air cooled then the 350YPVS :)
Ooh, nowhere near as exciting as that. :o :o Although I owned both the RD250DX and a 350LC, the one in the garage is a YZ250 two stroke moto x bike. I feel rather inadequate now. :-[ ;D
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My 1976 (P) RD250B was a bronze/orange colour.
It had the words 'torque induction' on the side panel.
Supposedly good for 100 MPH.........in ideal conditions. ::)
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1960's and 70's, possibly 80's. When the average lad could have a good go at 'fixing' cars. Just an engine, with plugs and points, and various bits that bolted on. You could even fiddle with the carburettor jets and it still ran, if somewhat rough. ;D
Cars are far more reliable today of course. However, the days of fixing them by the side of the road with a rudimentary tool kit have almost gone. :-\
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I fell off the air cooled RD250 quite a bit one winter when it snowed , my work was about 30 miles away in the sticks . Just followed the tyre tracks ::) going up hill was interesting on sheet ice ::) going downhill if it let go i just dropped it ;D think i invested in some crash/engine bars just for that reason :D
Had a brand new RD350ypvs out the crate , dropped it on a tight s bend "sheet ice" dented the tank slightly ::) Many a time after falling off in bad conditions sometimes with ripped jeans and blood pouring out of legs and arms , still made it to work ;D
You cant beat the smell of 2 stroke :)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3590/3509596741_487c6ea76c.jpg)
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I fell off the air cooled RD250 quite a bit one winter when it snowed , my work was about 30 miles away in the sticks . Just followed the tyre tracks ::) going up hill was interesting on sheet ice ::) going downhill if it let go i just dropped it ;D think i invested in some crash/engine bars just for that reason :D
Had a brand new RD350ypvs out the crate , dropped it on a tight s bend "sheet ice" dented the tank slightly ::) Many a time after falling off in bad conditions sometimes with ripped jeans and blood pouring out of legs and arms , still made it to work ;D
Just like 911's.......RD Yamaha were always best when air cooled. :y
They sounded better for a start. :'( :y
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The motorbikes weren't much good in the 1950s. Here am I in France in 1959 greasing my rear brake to stop it binding. Bike is a Cotton 250cc Villiers twin 2 stroke, made in Gloucester.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0)
Having survived that trip my father allowed me to buy a bigger bike, a Velocette Venom, 500cc single cylinder 4 stroke, made in Birmingham. At least the brakes both worked, but the single cylinder engine was a sod to kick start, inclined to kick back and sprain my ankle. Furthermore, it was bolted straight into the frame without the benefit of rubber mountings, and the vibration would rattles the fillings out of my teeth. I had it up to the ton once, which seemed fast in those days.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0)
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The motorbikes weren't much good in the 1950s. Here am I in France in 1959 greasing my rear brake to stop it binding. Bike is a Cotton 250cc Villiers twin 2 stroke, made in Gloucester.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0)
Having survived that trip my father allowed me to buy a bigger bike, a Velocette Venom, 500cc single cylinder 4 stroke, made in Birmingham. At least the brakes both worked, but the single cylinder engine was a sod to kick start, inclined to kick back and sprain my ankle. Furthermore, it was bolted straight into the frame without the benefit of rubber mountings, and the vibration would rattles the fillings out of my teeth. I had it up to the ton once, which seemed fast in those days.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0)
Love the fishtail exhaust. :y
Later used on the BSA Rocket 3, I believe.
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The motorbikes weren't much good in the 1950s. Here am I in France in 1959 greasing my rear brake to stop it binding. Bike is a Cotton 250cc Villiers twin 2 stroke, made in Gloucester.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0)
Having survived that trip my father allowed me to buy a bigger bike, a Velocette Venom, 500cc single cylinder 4 stroke, made in Birmingham. At least the brakes both worked, but the single cylinder engine was a sod to kick start, inclined to kick back and sprain my ankle. Furthermore, it was bolted straight into the frame without the benefit of rubber mountings, and the vibration would rattles the fillings out of my teeth. I had it up to the ton once, which seemed fast in those days.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0)
Love the fishtail exhaust. :y
Later used on the BSA Rocket 3, I believe.
In the early 1970s an army helicopter pilot friend lent me his BSA Road Rocket while he was posted to Borneo. It was a 650 parallel twin, not all that fast, and while in my custody it ran its big end bearings; not so good. My Velocette Venom( I had another one then) had ball bearing big ends, never known to fail, while the BSA twin had white metal bearings. That BSA had ordinary tubular silencers. The BSA B34 Gold Star was a sporting 500cc single, like the Venom, but the models I knew had tubular silencers. I think the Velocetts was the last big bike to sport the fishtail silencer. It did not do much silencing. Once on the way to work mine fell off, luckily I heard the clang as it hit the ground, because there was little change in exhaust note. There was nothing inside to deaden sound! It was a noisy bike, but as noise meters in those days measured average noise level it was OK, since the note was not continuous, just a serious of barks.
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The motorbikes weren't much good in the 1950s. Here am I in France in 1959 greasing my rear brake to stop it binding. Bike is a Cotton 250cc Villiers twin 2 stroke, made in Gloucester.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/q66r5rohreb1ckx/1959%20TP%20FRANC%20GREASING%20BRAKE.jpg?dl=0)
Having survived that trip my father allowed me to buy a bigger bike, a Velocette Venom, 500cc single cylinder 4 stroke, made in Birmingham. At least the brakes both worked, but the single cylinder engine was a sod to kick start, inclined to kick back and sprain my ankle. Furthermore, it was bolted straight into the frame without the benefit of rubber mountings, and the vibration would rattles the fillings out of my teeth. I had it up to the ton once, which seemed fast in those days.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w42uo4wqfby63f/VELOCETTE%20HR2.jpg?dl=0)
Looks a classic picture :) Like taken straight out of a 'Golden Motoring Memories' book, or an Autobiography of a retired racing driver etc :)
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For me it was the late 80's and early 90's
Chassis design had come on in leaps and bounds as had engine design but, the emission regs had not yet quite kicked in so you had great and very driveable engines with good economy and a drivetrain which was not covered in 'nannying' electronics.
Whats more vehicles were still reasonably light to, all adding to the package.