New cars have certainly become safer and more technologically advanced. They have multiple airbag zones, proximity warning systems, and other high-tech assistants that can save lives. However, car dealers increasingly hear complaints that modern vehicles are becoming more and more similar. Perhaps this is why car enthusiasts especially value retro cars and OBS trucks. They are not just a means of transportation but a way of expressing the character and individuality of their owner. The Indy Auto Man used car dealer shared reasons why their customers prefer good old classics.
Better design
Old cars come in a variety of designs, often evoking shapes that wouldn’t be attempted today. They were built at a time when designers had more freedom and less control from managers. Yes, companies cared about profits, but they also tried to experiment to find the very niche where their design would work. It was similar to early mobile phones, which were very different from each other, and the only thing they had in common was the presence of a microphone and speaker. In those distant times, strict requirements for safety and emissions did not limit designers, and they created cars for the best.
Easier to repair
To repair most OBS trucks or retro cars, one needs at least superficial knowledge and primitive tools. You can fix them in the garage and move on. Modern vehicles are filled with various electronics, and their engines look more like a spaceship collection of wires and protruding parts than classic engines. To fix any problem, the owner has to go to a service station and wait until the technician disassembles almost the entire engine to replace the spark plugs.
More durable
Old cars were built back in the days, when managers did not make it the norm to produce disposable things for a constant profit flow. Vintage vehicles can easily last hundreds of thousands of miles if properly cared for. In some models, engines and transmissions are almost impossible to disassemble. If a timing belt has fallen off and the valves are bent, the owner will have to purchase a new engine. Manufacturers realized that the car would become obsolete morally rather than physically, and the driver would prefer to replace it before it failed. As for the internal structure, older cars outperform newer ones as well, because the simpler the mechanism, the lower the likelihood of its failure and, therefore, the higher the durability.
There is nothing wrong with mass production. On the contrary, this made it possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the machine. But for all its accuracy, the robot does not have the creativity and meticulousness that distinguishes a person. Just look at modern premium cars – most of them are made entirely by hand, which makes them more reliable.
Availability of spare parts
Modern automakers adhere to the principle popularized by Apple. Its essence is that the product should be as unrepairable as possible, at least for DIY enthusiasts. Any breakdown must be repaired at an authorized service center. On the one hand, this works as a protection against unqualified servicemen, preventing people who know nothing about technology from ruining the vehicle. On the other hand, this significantly limits the rights of users and the ability to repair and improve their autos independently. Such a philosophy was only in its infancy at the time of retro cars, and managers had not yet been allowed to optimize the production process. In addition, manufacturers made good money on spare parts and, therefore, were happy to release both stock and improved versions of parts onto the market.
Better training in driving skills
Modern cars are crammed with safety and driver assistance systems. Even budget models have ABS and other technologies that help cope with skidding and prevent sudden braking. Older models don’t have this kind of technology. The old car driver relies only on his knowledge and experience and constantly puts them into practice. Without these technologies, the motorist becomes experienced faster and can better operate the steering wheel during a skid or avoid getting into an accident in icy conditions.
Despite the popularity, OBS trucks and retro cars are rare guests on the Indiana secondary market. Fortunately, many brands remain faithful to the good old days, and this is especially true for pickup models. The enthusiasts can enjoy the retro style and benefit from modern safety and comfort features.
