# Things I miss (and some I don't) **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [March 29, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026 "2020-03-29T01:02:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/1 "2020-03-29T01:02:22Z")
Things I miss: Big block V8 engines Conventional automatic transmissions ( torque converter backed by 3 or 4 speed planetary gearbox) Accessory belt driven fan, also driving the water pump Key operated engine starting with the ignition switch on the dashboard Column mounted transmission range selector 126" wheelbases for passenger cars. The Chrysler reduction gear starter and its sound Oldsmobile 4 door hardtops Opera lamps Velour upholstery Transmission dipsticks Mechanical fuel pumps mounted on the engine block. Sealed beam headlamps Things I don’t miss: Carburetors Drum brakes Points and condenser ignition Leaded gas Heat riser valves Road draft tubes Agree? Disagree? What did I miss? ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/2 "2020-03-29T01:30:35Z")
Well, mechanical fuel pumps are making a comeback anyway. I miss Oldsmobiles too. My first car was a 77 Cutlass and I have owned several from the 60’s. I think my 64 was the best looking. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/3 "2020-03-29T01:45:21Z")
Studebaker coupes 1953-1961, I included the Hawks, all essentially the same car. I do like 4 door hard tops, my dad always like 6 cylinder 4 door sedans, but I finally got him into a 66 Catalina hardtop, I loved that car. I only had one 4 door in my life and that was a 72 Electra 225 hardtop. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/4 "2020-03-29T02:06:14Z")
Studebakers, Hudsons, Nashes, Desotos and Plymouths, 6 passenger sedans and 9 passanger wagons, Chrysler minivans with chair hight seats for all the seating positions. The fold into the floor seats are handy for hauling things but are very uncomfortable for adults. Every thing I like, they quit making,Just a sign of old age I guess. I have never understood why they make front drive cars without flat floors and bench seats available. Does anyone need bucket seats and console shifters to drive on public highways? Why does a center console and shifter have to take up a seating position or stop a pretty girl from sitting next to you? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/5 "2020-03-29T02:14:07Z")
> [@oldtimer-11](#): > > I have never understood why they make front drive cars without flat floors and bench seats available. Does anyone need bucket seats and console shifters to drive on Reason - 3 point seat belts and air bags are not practical . for the front seat third passenger . Bench front seat , no way I would ever want one. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/6 "2020-03-29T02:22:07Z")
Plus it’s easier to achieve those side impact safety ratings with a well-bolstered bucket than it is with a no-bolstered bench. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/7 "2020-03-29T03:08:35Z")
As long as someone is wearing a lap & shoulder belt, wouldn’t that do even better than a well bolstered bucket? ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/8 "2020-03-29T03:21:42Z")
Vent window’s single switch’s for light’s wiper’s dimmer switch instead of all being on the same multifunctional switch manual transmission and rear wheel drive. That is why I will keep my two older truck’s as long as I can. ---
**Author:** ![vipergg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@vipergg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vipergg)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/9 "2020-03-29T03:22:41Z")
Having had a straight inline 6 cylinder in my Izuzu Ascender I wish more makers would use those again . Rumor has it that FCA is working on a turbo straight 6 . ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/10 "2020-03-29T03:25:37Z")
I thought about rear drive, but then I remembered the times I got stuck in snow. That doesn’t happen much with fwd. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/11 "2020-03-29T03:27:04Z")
Plus most of the thing’s old\_mopar\_guy has on his list’ ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/12 "2020-03-29T03:29:48Z")
I agree, car interiors were plusher, fabrics were much better quality, seats were way more comfortable back in the 1980s (and maybe before, never rode in anything older than 1981 model year). Column-mounted shifters and front bench seats are great, but I don’t recall anything offering this configuration after the mid-1990s. I remember the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim offered this configuration, together with all the other great features I like. I should have bought one when I had the chance; now they’re super-rare. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/13 "2020-03-29T03:33:48Z")
I have driven very few car’s with front wheel drive and do not care for them plus I have very little snow to deal with. I actually got stuck in the mud with a front wheel drive one of the first time’s I drove one trying to do a turn around on a dirt road by thinking backward’s and keeping the rear wheel’s on the hard surface. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/14 "2020-03-29T03:41:19Z")
One other thing I would miss from what I see on most car’s nowaday’s is not having to stand on your head to wash the inside of the windshield. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/15 "2020-03-29T03:43:54Z")
Good point. Some time ago, @marnet started a great thread about that. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/16 "2020-03-29T06:27:04Z")
They make 9 passenger VW buses in Europe with three point seat belts and 3 air bags in the front seat. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 9:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/17 "2020-03-29T09:37:39Z")
I only miss vent windows and straight 6 engines. Straight 6s are making a bit of a comeback and that is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/18 "2020-03-29T12:51:38Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > As long as someone is wearing a lap & shoulder belt, wouldn’t that do even better than a well bolstered bucket? Not unless it’s a 5 point racing harness. The shoulder belt is really only good for holding your upper body against the seat in a front-end collision. It doesn’t do much for you in a side-impact - that’s where the seat bolsters come in. They help support your upper body and keep it from flailing. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 12:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/19 "2020-03-29T12:58:23Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > The Chrysler reduction gear starter and its sound When Chrysler first introduced that starter, they referred to it as the “silent starter”. While it sounded different from all of the other car companies’ starters, it was anything BUT silent. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026/20 "2020-03-29T13:00:09Z")
I miss six passenger convertibles. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/things-i-miss-and-some-i-dont/162026.md?page=2)