Golden Days Of Motoring
Discussion
After reading with some fasination about Mr. Mcnabs C type Jag i have a question "When were the golden days of motoring , cars today offer performance that was the reserve of the very wealthy only a little time ago , but the authorities are strangling the enthusiastic driver out of exsistance.
So when was the time with the perfect balance between great cars and and the freedom to use them ?
So when was the time with the perfect balance between great cars and and the freedom to use them ?
Marki, that's such a difficult question to answer that it might be easier to look at it backwards. In other words when was definitely not the golden age of motoring?
I would rule out the twenties and thirties because very few people could afford a car, and I would probably rule out the fifties as well for the same reason.
Although more people have more cars, and very good cars they are too, the present era is ruined by restrictions and regulations, and perhaps most of all by congested roads.
The arrival of the speed camera was a turning point in British motoring history, and led to driving misery. I don't know if you're still with us Maurice Gatsonides, but you've probably made a fortune out of your Secret Snooper, and as one of the world's leading rally drivers in your time, you should be utterly ashamed of yourself. You took money for driving fast and well, and then took money for preventing the rest of us from driving fast and well. Despicable hypocrisy.
Rant over. Sorry. So this leaves us with 1960 - 1990, and I would choose roughly five years on either side of the 'open road' speed limits (they weren't too rigorously enforced for the first few years).
My answer: 1960 - 1970.
I would rule out the twenties and thirties because very few people could afford a car, and I would probably rule out the fifties as well for the same reason.
Although more people have more cars, and very good cars they are too, the present era is ruined by restrictions and regulations, and perhaps most of all by congested roads.
The arrival of the speed camera was a turning point in British motoring history, and led to driving misery. I don't know if you're still with us Maurice Gatsonides, but you've probably made a fortune out of your Secret Snooper, and as one of the world's leading rally drivers in your time, you should be utterly ashamed of yourself. You took money for driving fast and well, and then took money for preventing the rest of us from driving fast and well. Despicable hypocrisy.
Rant over. Sorry. So this leaves us with 1960 - 1990, and I would choose roughly five years on either side of the 'open road' speed limits (they weren't too rigorously enforced for the first few years).
My answer: 1960 - 1970.
i had kind of figured it would be the 60`s , growing car ownership - afluence ,relative lack of traffic , and some giant leaps in car design during the era.
Thanks for confirming this for me , now i just feel sorry that i did not get to drive during that time.
On my Christmas trip back to England 3,000km half of which was in snow phhh, it was my first trip home for a while i can certainly see what you guys are talking about re speed bumps gatsos and other
"traffic calming mesures" and whats all the red paint they seem to be painting the roads with.......
Edited by marki on Monday 7th January 13:11
Thanks for confirming this for me , now i just feel sorry that i did not get to drive during that time.
On my Christmas trip back to England 3,000km half of which was in snow phhh, it was my first trip home for a while i can certainly see what you guys are talking about re speed bumps gatsos and other
"traffic calming mesures" and whats all the red paint they seem to be painting the roads with.......
Edited by marki on Monday 7th January 13:11
In the late sixties and early seventies I was young(ish) free and single and you could buy staggering cars for very little money. Whilst, for me, it was a golden age many people didn't own a car and the cars owned by those families who could afford one were utterly horrible. In terms of driving the roads today are far worse, but the cars everyone can enjoy are so much better. Even the most basic car will provide a good, reliable form of transport-people, classic car fans in particular, often forget this wasn't always the case.
Yours, Jon Dokic
Yours, Jon Dokic
Have to say, Jon, your answer highlights a fact that crosses my mind almost every week, when we read about the latest offerings from the manufacturers.
Despite all the carping and criticism of other people's cars we indulge in so often, we have never before had such a choice of marvellous machinery. This applies in every price bracket too, so perhaps I should moderate my resentment of speed limits!!
Despite all the carping and criticism of other people's cars we indulge in so often, we have never before had such a choice of marvellous machinery. This applies in every price bracket too, so perhaps I should moderate my resentment of speed limits!!
!Maurice Gatsonides is no longer with us, he passed away in December 2000.
"You took money for driving fast and well, and then took money for preventing the rest of us from driving fast and well. Despicable hypocrisy."
Well said McNab. To be fair to Gatso, he invented the traffic light camera after a friend was incorrectly accused of jumping a red light and, in my view, these are a legitimate enforcement device.
You have, at least, had the experience of finishing ahead of Gatso (LM '53)- more than the rest of us will ever manage !
Yours, Jon Dokic
"You took money for driving fast and well, and then took money for preventing the rest of us from driving fast and well. Despicable hypocrisy."
Well said McNab. To be fair to Gatso, he invented the traffic light camera after a friend was incorrectly accused of jumping a red light and, in my view, these are a legitimate enforcement device.
You have, at least, had the experience of finishing ahead of Gatso (LM '53)- more than the rest of us will ever manage !
Yours, Jon Dokic
here and now!
I would say the sixties but I wasnt there so the golden age of motoring is the period of tmie when I am driving! Its always a sobering thought when I look through some issues of Motor Sport from the sixties and see Ferrari 275GTB's for 4k!
"If I'm not looking out of the rear window, I think I can save it"
I would say the sixties but I wasnt there so the golden age of motoring is the period of tmie when I am driving! Its always a sobering thought when I look through some issues of Motor Sport from the sixties and see Ferrari 275GTB's for 4k!
"If I'm not looking out of the rear window, I think I can save it"
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff