Since you both were speakng about cars before, allow me to change the current subject a little, to the car arena.
Now, I know that both of you seem to be enthusiasts for old(as in pre-1980) cars, and I do NOT really like to DRIVE old cars. I like to look at them and ride in them, but I do not wish to OWN one, as a daily(or otherwise) driver. I am into hi-tech, and like cars with touch screens, computer control, Fuel injection, Distributorless ignitions, digital instruments, electronic(as in LCD) mirrors, etc. I owned an olds Trofeo previously, and two Rivieras, all of which had the computer screen. I loved all 3, the Olds in particular, was a great car. Quite fast, reliable, and a LOT of fun to drive.
That being said, it just seems to me, that ALL cars nowdays are becoming considerably more powerful,(from the factory) and some of them are ferociously fast!! take for example the Corvette Z06. Here we have an engine with over 500 HP STOCK, and the tranny, chassis and tires, to handle that power. 0-60 in 3.5 sec, 11 sec. quarters, STOCK!! I have kept up on the vette, over the years, and the ONLY thing that MIGHT had touched the current one was the ZL-1 aluminum vette,or maybe the L-88 BB, but the tires, chassis and tranny limited the available performance from that machine,(the ZL-1) and only 2 were built(officially, anyway), due to the extra-high cost of the engine. Not to be outdone, Ford now has the Gt, that has similar performance, at WAY higher cost, and a much-upgraded"retro look" Mustang. Cadillac now has optional engines with over 450 Hp, in supercharged form(as if the 275-320 hp. from the Northstar was not enough).Even lesser cars, such as the Impala, now have an available V-8, of over 300hp. Chrysler has revived the Charger, and it can have a 400hp+ Hemi engine.And modern v-6 cars are not "just plebeian transportation' nowdays. Nissan now has more than 250 HP, from its 6 in its cars, such as the Altima and Maxima. Lexus has a 300+ v-6 HP IS model.
Even 4 cylinder cars are no longer a laughing matter. I recall about 20 years or so ago, that a 4 banger was laughable, slow, and noisy. NOT today. Many of the 4 cylinder cars have respectable HP AND torque figures, allowing for good takeoff AND high-speed acceleration.
SO the bottom line is-- it appears that nearly ALL cars are getting a LOT more powerful nowdays, right off of the showroom floor. And around here, at least, drivers are taking advantage of this. I typically drive around 70 or so, on the Highways. EVERY time I get on the road, at this speed, a BUNCH of cars pass me at 80,90 and higher speeds. And these are NOT just Vettes,Porsches, 'stangs, and the like, but Minivans, SUV's, "family" cars, compact cars,and these are driven by Men and Women alike, young and old. About the ONLY exception to this, is the "older set" who still drives at 60 or less, in the "slow lane.
Have you noticed this trend, also?
Now, I know that both of you seem to be enthusiasts for old(as in pre-1980) cars, and I do NOT really like to DRIVE old cars. I like to look at them and ride in them, but I do not wish to OWN one, as a daily(or otherwise) driver. I am into hi-tech, and like cars with touch screens, computer control, Fuel injection, Distributorless ignitions, digital instruments, electronic(as in LCD) mirrors, etc. I owned an olds Trofeo previously, and two Rivieras, all of which had the computer screen. I loved all 3, the Olds in particular, was a great car. Quite fast, reliable, and a LOT of fun to drive.
I have a 1977 Mercury Cougar that I'd like to get back on the road sometime, that is if I keep going in my process of getting my "ducks in a row." We bought it new in 1977, well my mother did. I have a thing for old, lumbering "land yachts," I could probably launch F-4 Phantoms from my Cougar's hood. B-) It has a 302 engine, I could probably get 250 to 300 HP out of it if I disconnect the thermactor pump and put a 4 barrel carb onto it.
My dream cars, well, a 1965 Ford Galaxie would be cool:
Or a 1968 Buick Wildcat:
And for "craps and giggles," an AMC Gremlin, a 1977 Model shown here:
Oh, yes, a prototype 4x4 (1977) van based on the Gremlin but never made, cannot leave the SUV crowd in the dust. B-) Being 1977, I would choose something from "Star Wars" as the van art. B-)
I'm car happy, I could go on, but I've posted enough B-)
Have you noticed this trend, also? I have noticed that indeed newer cars are being listed as 'more powerful' in recent advertisements. However, I also remember laughing hysterically at a commercial advertisement for "The new, improved model with the INCREDIBLY powerful one hundred and twenty-five horsepower engine!!!"
I think you overlooked the part as well when I specified that what was under the hood in My auto was not by any stretch of the imagination a standard powerplant. Disregarding for the moment the electical changes I implemented in the vehicle as well due to the fact that they had little to do with the motor. I loved that car because no matter what happened I could always repair it, no matter what. I specifically modified the powerplant as a proof-of-concept platform, but those older cars I have a passion for because of their simplicity. They 'Just Work'. My preferred auto would be a customized Model T, incidentally.