Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22837
Location: UK
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 Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 6:32 pm Post subject: So, it's 1960 ..... |
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.... and you are in the market for a new car, and have the same needs from a new motor as you do now.
Which car manufacturer's agency, or agencies, would you be frequenting and collecting brochures from?
Might you take a test drive in a number of models before making up your mind? Or does one car in particular already leap out as being the obvious choice?
Would you only consider the cars from one marque, or would you have no particular loyalty to any one make?
Perhaps something up-market, or sporty, would be on your shortlist?
Maybe you'd need a family car, with seating for 4 and a large boot?
Would economy be important?
Or would a light commercial be more appropriate?
To keep things realistic, assume you'd have the same relative buying power as you do now, or did when last in full-time employment.
RJ
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47Jag
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 1480
Location: Bothwell, Scotland
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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Rick,
Are we the same age as now with the same income? There's nothing specific from 1960 that really turns me on. I always wanted a Jaguar and am now on my third so a Mark 2 is my choice.
Art |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7219
Location: Edinburgh
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:29 am Post subject: Re: So, it's 1960 ..... |
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| Rick wrote: | .... and you are in the market for a new car, and have the same needs from a new motor as you do now.
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That's very tricky! I want: good performance, handling, carrying capacity, comfort, fuel economy and cheap to buy. This is reasonably possible in one vehicle today but in 1960 these qualities were much more mutually exclusive forcing me to prioritise them.
I really don't know how to prioritise.
OK, I'll give up carrying capacity. Hmm! Still can't think what the car would be.
OK, I'll give up fuel economy, Hmm! Still can't think what the car would be.
OK, I'll give up cheap to buy. Ah! That's easier. But I still can't decide.
Peter
p.s. Cheating after looking at Lowdrag's list and my money's no object I'll have an Aston Martin DB4GT.
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
Last edited by peter scott on Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4287
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:20 am Post subject: Re: So, it's 1960 ..... |
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| Rick wrote: | | .... and you are in the market for a new car, and have the same needs from a new motor as you do now.RJ |
Hmm difficult one as I'm sure my needs and expectations now of an everyday car would have been very different in 1960 than they are to day. I'll have a go at a spec perhaps someone could suggest a vehicle? having just changed my modern its all quite fresh!
So the main features I require that would possibly have been available in 1960 are:
It must seat 5 adults in comfort, have a large boot (new modern is an estate) automatic, 0-60 around 7.5 seconds and the ability to return 55mpg (i'll accept just one of these  ) will be used for towing.... unlimited milage warranty for first 3 years? thats probably pushing it!! as would annual main dealer servicing costs to average less than 1% of the purchase price..but you never know?
Any suggestions?
Dave |
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mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1815
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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If I was in the market for a new car today - which thankfully I'm not, since there's nothing on today's market which fits my requirements! - then I would be looking for something a bit sporty, but not overtly a sports car, two seats with plenty of luggage accommodation, something attractive to look at and comfortable to ride in, not too big... so, back in 1960, I would probably be looking quite keenly at a Triumph Herald coupe, although I would not be so keen on the new roof style with ribbed sides, so perhaps I would be happy with a low mileage, one year old with the plain roof!
But then we're opening up the game to the second-hand market, so perhaps I would look at a Sunbeam Rapier instead...  |
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Riley Blue
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1751
Location: Derbyshire
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Funnily enough I bought a car yesterday which, though not from the 60s, answers the topic requirements - a '95 Mercedes CE320 Coupe.
Take its specification back 30 years: two seater, straight size, automatic and what is there...? |
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lowdrag
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1600
Location: Le Mans
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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The same buying power as when I was last in employment? Then the world was my oyster, although it isn't now. Just have a look at the prices in June 1960:-
I started work in 1962 and my salary was £330 p.a., so based on that I was in no position to afford even a Goggomobil new (£467). However, based on my last income and buying power I'll have a Rolls Silver Cloud (£6,093) for the holiday in the South of France and a BMW 507 (£4,393) for the weekend, plus a Jaguar 3.4 Mk 2 (£1,579) for everyday use. |
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V8 Nutter
Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 605
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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| In 1960 working for a company that paid their apprentices very well I was earning just over £5 a week plus bonus and overtime. In 1961 I had big rise to 6 guineas and I wanted a Cadillac |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4287
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:56 am Post subject: |
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| V8 Nutter wrote: | | In 1960 working for a company that paid their apprentices very well I was earning just over £5 a week plus bonus and overtime. In 1961 I had big rise to 6 guineas and I wanted a Cadillac |
That's interesting; my mate pays his apprentices a basic of £192.15 a week, looking at the prices above, it would take around 100 weeks of an apprentices basic pay to buy a basic Mini in 1960, but only 68 weeks of 2014 pay to buy for example a new Astra. If the same comparison was done but using vehicle specifications, a Dacia Sandero could be yours for around 33 weeks pay 
Ignoring whether you like any of the cars in the comparison ; vehicles are much more affordable these days.
Dave |
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Ashley
Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 1426
Location: Near Stroud, Glos
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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| riley541 wrote: | Funnily enough I bought a car yesterday which, though not from the 60s, answers the topic requirements - a '95 Mercedes CE320 Coupe.
Take its specification back 30 years: two seater, straight size, automatic and what is there...? |
A 3 Litre Vanden Plas, an XK150 or an Aston Martin DB4 new. The 180 Merc of that time was a very nice car. |
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gillberry
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 702
Location: Norwich
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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Can it not be 1962 ?
In that year our choice would be the Volvo Amazon estate , good carrying capacity , seats 5 adults , good performance (compared to others of the era) overall fits the bill well .
I know we are biased owning one already but having wondered about owning a sports car on many occasions we have come to realise that we have a very practical car that will perform and handle like a sports car when you want .
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1968 Volvo Amazon estate (Gracie)
1967 Cheltenham Nyala caravan |
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Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 2154
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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I should think a Standard Vanguard Phase III would do everything I need from a car. As for most of the gentlemen who've responded so far, you're so decadent! You've been spoilt by air conditioning, electric windows, PAS, ABS and the ability to cruise at 80mph. But I suppose I am biased, having never owned a modern car before.
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V8 Nutter
Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 605
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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| ukdave2002 wrote: | | V8 Nutter wrote: | | In 1960 working for a company that paid their apprentices very well I was earning just over £5 a week plus bonus and overtime. In 1961 I had big rise to 6 guineas and I wanted a Cadillac |
That's interesting; my mate pays his apprentices a basic of £192.15 a week, looking at the prices above, it would take around 100 weeks of an apprentices basic pay to buy a basic Mini in 1960, but only 68 weeks of 2014 pay to buy for example a new Astra. If the same comparison was done but using vehicle specifications, a Dacia Sandero could be yours for around 33 weeks pay
Ignoring whether you like any of the cars in the comparison ; vehicles are much more affordable these days.
Vehicles are cheaper in real terms, but insurance for young people is a killer. When I was 17 I had a L.H.D. Chevrolet 3.5 litre, insurance cost about £20 third party fire and theft. When I was 18 I had a Ford Pilot slightly bigger but R.H.D. insurance went down to £15.
I must be very decadent the 1954 Oldsmobile I owned in the mid sixties, had automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes (they were still rubbish). Before the 70 m.p.h. speed limit it would cruise the length of the M50 with 100 m.p.h. on the clock. It didn't have air con, or electric windows, but they were options
Dave |
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petermeachem
Joined: 23 Sep 2013
Posts: 358
Location: Chichester Sussex
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Easy. Lotus 7. Pre that a Lotus 6 would do nicely, and post Lotus 7, I'll have a Caterham please.
I have always wanted a Lotus 7 |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012
Posts: 1763
Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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| Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 1:27 am Post subject: |
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| V8 Nutter wrote: | | ukdave2002 wrote: | | V8 Nutter wrote: | | In 1960 working for a company that paid their apprentices very well I was earning just over £5 a week plus bonus and overtime. In 1961 I had big rise to 6 guineas and I wanted a Cadillac |
That's interesting; my mate pays his apprentices a basic of £192.15 a week, looking at the prices above, it would take around 100 weeks of an apprentices basic pay to buy a basic Mini in 1960, but only 68 weeks of 2014 pay to buy for example a new Astra. If the same comparison was done but using vehicle specifications, a Dacia Sandero could be yours for around 33 weeks pay
Ignoring whether you like any of the cars in the comparison ; vehicles are much more affordable these days.
Vehicles are cheaper in real terms, but insurance for young people is a killer. When I was 17 I had a L.H.D. Chevrolet 3.5 litre, insurance cost about £20 third party fire and theft. When I was 18 I had a Ford Pilot slightly bigger but R.H.D. insurance went down to £15.
I must be very decadent the 1954 Oldsmobile I owned in the mid sixties, had automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes (they were still rubbish). Before the 70 m.p.h. speed limit it would cruise the length of the M50 with 100 m.p.h. on the clock. It didn't have air con, or electric windows, but they were options
Dave |
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It isn't only the insurance costs for young drivers but the ongoing costs for drivers of any age. Pretty much any car you might have bought in 1960 - exotica aside - was an essentially simple machine that any ordinary man with basic tools and a brain could service and repair at home. You can't say that about modern cars with their complex electronics, fuel injection, emission control, ABS and so on - no, for most punters it's off to the main stealers paying through the nose for servicing and repairing all the designed in faults. If jobs are DIYable the cost of the parts tends to make the Crown Jewels look like something you'd pick up at Argos, and you're far less likely to be able to find them on the cheap from a local scrapyard (remember those?) now than in 1960. Then there's the ongoing parts supply issue - several popular cars you might have bought in 1960 still have good spares backup 54 years later. Admittedly Joe Bloggs in 1960 probably wasn't thinking this far ahead, but how many popular cars of 2014 will still be on the road, with no major issues about parts, in the year 2068? I'm not likely to be around then but will hazard a guess at none of them. New cars in 2014 may be relatively cheaper to actually buy than in 1960, but I would suggest that when you look at the bigger picture they don't give good value in the longer term.
While typing this it also occurs to me that we could also look at the wider economic situation in 1960 vs 2014. In 1960 I believe that an average-paying apprenticeship was something many young people could aspire to; in 2014 not only is Dave's mate paying his apprentices surprisingly generously but those apprentices are damn lucky to have a paying job at all. Let's think of all the other youngsters out there for a minute: rotting on the dole being subjected to pointless, sadistic slave-labour punishment schemes, or racking up a huge debt at university in the quite possibly vain hope of a getting a decent job at the end of it all, or barely scraping by in some dead-end, minimum wage, zero hours excuse for a job and not feeling secure enough to splash the cash on even so much as a used bicycle.
I've depressed myself enough now, so think I'll away to bed  |
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