[vtirocz]

Originally Posted by chris227

Stock 69 zl1 was low 13s. A few mods got it to 11.?

Exactly! I recall an article from Car and Driver back in 1999, where they tested both a '69 ZL1 and '99 Z28 in the same issue. The acceleration times were nearly identical through the quarter mile before the z28 took off all the way to ~158mph.

I'm not buying that the stock '69 ZL1 was an 11 sec car.

[AZCamaroFan]

i could have understood it in the late 70s -early 80s when horsepower was down, but i've had younger people say that kind of thing and i really don't get it. the notion that cars pre-1970 were built better or that they were all 450HP fire breathing monsters is hard to figure.

[Emoto]

I kind of doubt that people who say that realize that it can feel like a dig to those of us who own the new ones. I doubt they even have it formed as a coherent thought - next time someone says that to you, ask them what they mean as though you are sincerely interested. I predict all you'll get is some kind of stuttering non-response that indicates they really have no idea what they were trying to say.

[Jim50thSS]

I think the electronics working 20-30 years down the road is an issue, but I can't imagine having this car for that long. I didn't buy the car for it's electronics and "nanny" features but I love them. The android auto is awesome, especially after the update. Backing the car into parking spaces is a lot easier with the camera and sensors. The touch button convertible is a lot easier and better than T-tops or having to get out to push the top down to get it to latch.

[All2Easy]

I think a lot has to do with many folks seeing nice examples of older cars on auction shows such as Barrett-Jackson. Some absolute beautiful cars that have been restored to the point of not even being close to what they looked like coming off of the assembly line.

I will say there was a great deal of style and originality, but engineering has advanced significantly....as in most things available to today's consumer. In the same token, cars have moved to block packaging that has taken the ability of individual customization away from the order that you can place with your dealership. This excludes the ultra-brands such as Ferrari, Rolls Royce, etc.

[Jim50thSS]

Originally Posted by Emoto

I kind of doubt that people who say that realize that it can feel like a dig to those of us who own the new ones. I doubt they even have it formed as a coherent thought - next time someone says that to you, ask them what they mean as though you are sincerely interested. I predict all you'll get is some kind of stuttering non-response that indicates they really have no idea what they were trying to say.

I think in most cases that is probably the correct assessment. I should ask, think I'm always caught off guard, because I struggle to think of a car with half the HP as being superior.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by Emoto

I kind of doubt that people who say that realize that it can feel like a dig to those of us who own the new ones. I doubt they even have it formed as a coherent thought - next time someone says that to you, ask them what they mean as though you are sincerely interested. I predict all you'll get is some kind of stuttering non-response that indicates they really have no idea what they were trying to say.

THIS!!!

It's a common catch phrase type of thing, kind of like the modern day LOL, people say it (or type it in this case) just to say it with no intent or thought into it.

To the OP , you are taking this way too serious. The dude was complimenting your car, say thank you.

[rshelar]

SS and ZL1 owners can run those cars on the street, highway, or track on any day with no prob. Try that with a 55 Chevy. You better have AAA!
I go to quite a few car shows here in CA and I like the classic cars but the really good ones are getting expensive. And if it's not a complete resto mod, it's still going to be problematic. These TV shows that we all watch, where all that they keep is the body, are great but they rarely mention the cost. Their clients have to have money to burn because they're looking at $50-100k. NO THANKS!
Some of the classic car clubs around here are having trouble because the older cars are owned by older people and they are dying off. Baby boomers like me who have some coin are buying high-end Camaros, Challengers, Vettes, and Mustangs. We want to go 0-60 in 4 secs or less, not 14.

[orange devil]

A lot of the old cars were built to last( because of the materials they used) and they do have a lot of character, so many different variants through each year that had changes made them very unique.. it seems most new vehicles get a bad reputation . people refer to them as throw away cars. Even though the technology in creature comforts, performance are so much better.

[Paintslinger16]

I just bought my 18, I was originally thinking I was going to purchase a 67 Camaro or 66 Chevelle. With 40k budget I quickly decided to go the new route, i will always love the 60’s Chevys but having had 66 SS 396 for years, I told my wife you know what, when we go back in time on this purchase, it means we go back on everything, roll up windows, no AC, my SS didn’t even have power steering, with the normal upgrade of headers, alum intake and Holly 750 it was a 15.10 second car

All the everyday 60’s cars were in the 14/15 second range, made lots of sweet SBC or BBC exhaust notes but they really weren’t that quick compared to my 12.57 I just ran with no technique but mash and paddle shift.

The two biggest reason I chose new, I really wanted to drive it and not feel bad or worry about anything, my first month was 4000 miles in the Camaro. And two You just can’t find a driver quality muscle or pony car in the North that often.

[Mighty Mouce]

Originally Posted by Jim50thSS

I got a compliment followed by a story of owning 69' Camaro, then ending in the "they sure don't build them like they use to" line. No disrespect to a classic car or classic car owner, but the idea that a car built 50 years ago is somehow more superior than todays car is strange or delusional to me. I remember my brother in law saying something similar when I first bought my car. To me its just a dig, that they're just jealous. I'm sure this happens to others, but I'm wondering if or how you would respond.

Its actually true. They don't build them like they used to. Sure todays cars are safer, have more tech, ride better etc. But sill few cars made today are as cool as car from the 50s 60 and early 70s... or go back further because I can think of some cool 30s and 40s cars too. Very few cars cars today fall into the cool category as the majority being just cookie cutter look alike pods.

[Mighty Mouce]

Originally Posted by All2Easy

I reply with "thank God they don't....my modern car is faster, handles far better, far safer, and won't require an engine rebuild at 60K miles."

Few cars from the 60s required and Eng. rebuild at 60k miles unless just not taken car of. I have own 60s cars and have never had an engine failure and ran them between 130 and 150k miles before selling in decent running condition. Now they would begin to seep oil at gaskets at that mileage. My 69 383 Road Runner had over 130k miles on it and could still lay down 15 feet of rubber.

[Mighty Mouce]

Originally Posted by Jim50thSS

Just out of curiosity, how does a 1st gen compare to a 6th in 1/4 mile or any lap racing?

No comparison stock. Let say you have a 396 or 427 1st gen. Add a modern transmission. Rejet your carb add simple bolt on goodies and modern tires then yeh it will be a good comparison in the 1/4 mile. The engines in those cars were no slouches. The issue was getting the power to the pavement efficiently.

[MackSteelPrivateEye]

Originally Posted by Vtor_ZL1

1st gen is slower than garden variety honda civic. We've come looong way.


Reliable, safer, durable.


If you crash, likely to walk away - just avoid rabbits or other mammals.

No not really. You don't take into account that all those old 1/4 mile times are limited by wheel spin, transmission technology back then. If you are saying your garden variety Civic has more oomph than a 1st gen v8 Camaro you are very wrong.