Does the Passage of Time Alter Our Perceptions ?

[WileE]

When I look at either cars or photos such as this, I think of what my perception was then, and now. Whether it's a Mopar, or other, when cars like this were introduced they were perceived as ugly garbage, as compared to the earlier models. With governmental mandates, such as emissions and bumpers, the cars suffered in style and substance compared to the previous models. Chrysler did the best on all measures, compared to GM and Ford, and the imports were nothing more than rusted junk. Now, I see these cars in a different light. No, not on the performance end. But, at least on the style that sculpted the lines of many of these cars, not only on the Mopars but the other makes as well. I wonder, is it the lack of any style in modern cars, or is it just the sentimental bond of having lived and worked on these cars during their time ?

 

[64BEL]

I think things that we didn't like 40 or 50 years ago soften in our memories over time because they remind us of our previous lives when life may have been simpler for us. When you're single with no real attachments or responsibilities and all you thought about is getting together with your pals and going to a bar or cruising the gut in your muscle cars, things just seemed less complicated. Back when we thought if we could ever just bring home $100. a week we'd have it made! We usually don't realize when the good old days are while they're happening. Now, that's not to say everything was better then. Far from it! But we do tend to think back to decades past and think about the good times more than the bad. And old things can help bring back those memories. For me, some music from the '80s that I didn't like then I do like now. And even a Gremlin is a fond sight these days just for the memories it sparks from all those years ago.

By the way, to me, that Pontiac is still ugly, but it is fun to see.

 

[Photon440]

View attachment 1205607When I look at either cars or photos such as this, I think of what my perception was then, and now. Whether it's a Mopar, or other, when cars like this were introduced they were perceived as ugly garbage, as compared to the earlier models. With governmental mandates, such as emissions and bumpers, the cars suffered in style and substance compared to the previous models. Chrysler did the best on all measures, compared to GM and Ford, and the imports were nothing more than rusted junk. Now, I see these cars in a different light. No, not on the performance end. But, at least on the style that sculpted the lines of many of these cars, not only on the Mopars but the other makes as well. I wonder, is it the lack of any style in modern cars, or is it just the sentimental bond of having lived and worked on these cars during their time ?

I actually liked that Grand Prix when brand new, I thought it was much better than the previous versions using a single 7" headlamp.

I know what you mean though. I did not like the 1975 road runner when new, but now I think it looks pretty good.

 

[1967coronet]

Alter ? Give us a different view ?
Sure , to me it has I for sure see things in a different light than 40 yrs ago.
Cars , jobs , just life in general , things cycle and time moves on.
Those big old 60 - 70s boats from the big 3 look pretty cool to me now. When I was 20 I would not have bought one. Lol.

 

[Kern Dog]

I often think that I live my life looking in the rear view mirror.
Maybe that is because I fondly recall the time I spent growing up. Nostalgia has a way of making the bad times fade out of memory while putting a much more positive glow on the good times.
We didn't have the internet, cell phones, web forums, Viagra, cordless tools, modern veterinary medicine, 20 mpg trucks, air fryer ovens, affordable stroker crankshafts, Propecia, Dyson vacuum cleaners, laser eye surgery and numerous other things but we didn't even know what those things were.
We did grow up in much simpler times. Car parts took a bigger chunk of my income due to lower wages and almost no aftermarket suppliers. Tools cost more since they were American made. If you missed a few minutes of a TV show, forget about rewinding to the beginning.
Growing up in the 70s, I saw the new cars coming out because my Dad was a car salesman. New Fords, Chevys, Dodge and Plymouths...
Dad was able to take almost any car from the lot to use as his personal car. I used to beg him to bring home car brochures for the cars he was selling. I loved thumbing through them. I rattled off the stats to anyone that would listen.
Nowadays, seeing a car on the road from the 60s-70s and even the 80s is a welcome sight, even cars that I didn't like as a kid. The only Pontiacs I liked were the Firebirds and GTOs but today, I'd glom onto that one in the first post here.

 

[Darter6]

When the 1975 Charger came out,I thought "What were they thinking ? "
I thought it was awful. Then years later I owned 2 of them.
Everything changes with time.

 

[Budnicks]

I still don't like much from after 1972,
except maybe Trucks/Pick-ups

I owned a bunch of GM stuff
71 Z28
76 RS Camaro, dealer owner's demo
78 Z28 new off the lot,
76 Cheyenne step-side,
79 Silverado 3500 crewcab (tow rig)
quite a few 70's era Trans Ams,
70, 73 & 74, were my favorites
I didn't like the Trans Ams after 77, too bulbous in the front
about the only Pontiac of that era, I actually liked

a few Buicks I liked
I had a cool 73 Vista Cruiser
most the big cars full bodied cars sucked as
underpowered boats

not many Fords of that era, except 1978 F250 4x4

not many MoPars of that era either, except trucks/PowerWagons

a few wagons from that era I liked too (it's a sickness)

I was more of a Truck guy,
for the new stuff in that era 71-79
I thought most all the cars were hideous, MoPars included
especially after 1972

I still think that way

 

[Kern Dog]

When the 1975 Charger came out,I thought "What were they thinking ? "
I thought it was awful. Then years later I owned 2 of them.
Everything changes with time.

How about this.....
As a guy in his 20s and 30s....did you ever look at a woman in her 50s and get excited?
Now that most of us are 50 and older, do we look at women our age with the same distaste as we did before?
I never thought I'd find "seasoned" women attractive but there are some out there that do still look good.

 

[Richard Cranium]

By the way, to me, that Pontiac is still ugly, but it is fun to see.

Pretty much sums up how I feel.

 

[Sahara]

In the very early eighties I had a ‘69 Mustang, buddy had a ‘79 Z28. I used to hammer him relentlessly about that generation of GM body being so common. One time we were in his car and pulled up to a four way stop. All four vehicles at the stop were those.
Now there are none and I wish I had one. Black or dark blue, T tops, four speed, 400 or 455.
Another buddy had a rare Pontiac Can Am. I think it was a ‘76, with a four speed. I’ll never see another one. Wish I had bought one and kept it.
AMC Gremlin? Hell yeah.
Didn’t like second generation Javelins but now they look great. Same with the last generation of Road Runners.
I always liked older, well maintained women.

 

[Kern Dog]

In the very early eighties I had a ‘69 Mustang, buddy had a ‘79 Z28. I used to hammer him relentlessly about that generation of GM body being so common. One time we were in his car and pulled up to a four way stop. All four vehicles at the stop were those.
Now there are none and I wish I had one. Black or dark blue, T tops, four speed, 400 or 455.
Another buddy had a rare Pontiac Can Am. I think it was a ‘76, with a four speed. I’ll never see another one. Wish I had bought one and kept it.
AMC Gremlin? Hell yeah.
Didn’t like second generation Javelins but now they look great. Same with the last generation of Road Runners.
I always liked older, well maintained women.

I saw THIS one about a year ago....

 

[Hey-O]

How about this.....
As a guy in his 20s and 30s....did you ever look at a woman in her 50s and get excited?
Now that most of us are 50 and older, do we look at women our age with the same distaste as we did before?
I never thought I'd find "seasoned" women attractive but there are some out there that do still look good.

I've been waiting for you to come to terms with your age and realize that if you live long enough, birds of a feather flock together. Older Seasoned women have a ton of experience to share. Good for you!!

 

[Kern Dog]

Uhhh...I still would be chasing 30 year old women if I was single.

Whether I could catch them or hold them is up to debate though!

 

[gkent]

I always like the Pontiac GrandAm and the Chevy Laguna. Also the Dodge Magnum and the Mirada. I also liked the look of the AMC Hornet.

 

[Sahara]

The Can Am that my buddy had was a ‘76, I think, but again, time alters our perceptions. His had the red on white paint with the Olympic emblem on the front fenders to commemorate Canada hosting the ‘76 Olympics. I’m 99 per cent sure his had the 455, and it was a standard transmission. Would be a nice car today but under appreciated back then.

 

[gkent]

Can Am

Can Am ???

 

[Sahara]

Yeah, Pontiac made the Can Am. Not sure if it was a trim package or a specific model. I googled it to make sure I was recalling correctly.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I do like the Can-Am

 

[Sahara]

The internet says they were only available with an automatic but the one buddy had was definitely a standard transmission. That was what made it so cool.

 

[WileE]

Can Am ???

Yes, indeed. It was supposed to take the place of the GTO in the Pontiac A body line up. Again... the perception of time, as mentioned here. Back then I thought it was ugly, and I blew the doors off one with my road runner of course. But now, I look at it, and it seems nostalgically attractive ! I think it has to do with all the similar-styled garbage that is produced nowadays. Back then you could see style, whether you liked it or not. Now, everything looks the same, and it's all white,black,or silver. No colors.