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Do classic cars shrink with age ?

letthegoodtimesrollletthegoodtimesroll
in Not Sports Related
Out earlier and when sitting in traffic I saw a morris minor shooting brake. The thing looked immaculate, if not on the small side and that reminded me about the ford escort Mexico I saw two days ago and thinking how tiny it was yet when it was originally out it was a normal, good sized family car in its non souped up version. These days even the super minis seem to be bigger than the family cars of years ago.
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    MuttleyCAFCMuttleyCAFC
    They ought to grow as we shrink with age!
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    TelMc32TelMc32
    MuttleyCAFC said:

    They ought to grow as we shrink with age!

    I haven't!! :-(
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    letthegoodtimesrollletthegoodtimesroll
    TelMc32 said:

    MuttleyCAFC said:

    They ought to grow as we shrink with age!

    I haven't!! :-(
    I think he wasn't talking about vertical shrinkage that occurs with age, not horizontal growth...
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    guinnessaddickguinnessaddick
    TelMc32 said:

    MuttleyCAFC said:

    They ought to grow as we shrink with age!

    I haven't!! :-(
    You're still a youngster, for a few months anyway.
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    man_at_millettsman_at_milletts
    letthegoodtimesroll said:

    Out earlier and when sitting in traffic I saw a morris minor shooting brake. The thing looked immaculate, if not on the small side and that reminded me about the ford escort Mexico I saw two days ago and thinking how tiny it was yet when it was originally out it was a normal, good sized family car in its non souped up version. These days even the super minis seem to be bigger than the family cars of years ago.

    Not sure how they class that as a mini, it's far too big. Inappropriately named IMO.

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    TelMc32TelMc32
    guinnessaddick said:

    TelMc32 said:

    MuttleyCAFC said:

    They ought to grow as we shrink with age!

    I haven't!! :-(
    You're still a youngster, for a few months anyway.
    Wash your mouth out old fella!! :wink:
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    randy andyrandy andy
    edited May 2016
    To do with safety features. For example the Focus probably doesn't have a massive amount more interior space than that Escort, but all the pillars a thicker, door panels the same, dash is a lot deeper, seats are bulkier etc. Crumple zones make the front longer for the same given engine bay size. It all adds up.

    Agree with the earlier poster though, the mini is completely misnamed, and that's not a safety issue causing the size, the are plenty of cars available smaller than the mini.
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    randy andyrandy andy
    "Step into the original 500 and you can’t believe how much space there is inside. It’s essentially just as roomy as the modern variant, despite being all the size of a shelled peanut."

    http://driving.ca/fiat/500/reviews/comparison/1972-fiat-500l-vs-2016-fiat-500-1957-edition
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    cafcfancafcfan
    randy andy said:

    "Step into the original 500 and you can’t believe how much space there is inside. It’s essentially just as roomy as the modern variant, despite being all the size of a shelled peanut."

    http://driving.ca/fiat/500/reviews/comparison/1972-fiat-500l-vs-2016-fiat-500-1957-edition

    I have driven one (and a Seat 600 variant): a very scary experience.

    All the weight is at the back with rear-wheel drive. In the wet those skinny little tyres have no weight over them and just do not go in the direction you point them. Add in the drum brakes that are put to shame by throwing a brick on a string out the window and you have the worst driving experience....

    ..except, except, it's actually kind of fun getting those 17bhp skittling along the road (yes, my ride was the more powerful one!) and as long as the Fiamm air horns are working, what more do you need?
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    AFKABartramAFKABartram
    Like chocolate bars and bags of crisps
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    HastingsaddickHastingsaddick
    Walked past a new (2015) VW Bug convertible yesterday.....looked huge.
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    bobmunrobobmunro
    Look at the E-Type against the F-Type, it's natural successor.
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    T_C_ET_C_E
    Saw this in Sydney, a ferrari stopped at the lights.
    A bus pulled along side, the driver of the Ferrari gave it a little rev so the bus driver did the same and a little reving competition took place. Both smiling drivers braced on the steering wheels waiting for the lights to change much to the amusement of bystanders. Needless to say this was the best shot I got of the race......
    ...........The bus was long gone ;)image
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    DaveMehmetDaveMehmet
    randy andy said:

    To do with safety features. For example the Focus probably doesn't have a massive amount more interior space than that Escort, but all the pillars a thicker, door panels the same, dash is a lot deeper, seats are bulkier etc. Crumple zones make the front longer for the same given engine bay size. It all adds up.

    True about the safety features taking up more room but classics are smaller in general.

    I went to Brands Hatch a couple of weeks ago with mates who have classics. Parked my MGB next to my mates mk1 MX5 and couldn't believe mine was smaller (the car)
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    Essex_RobinEssex_Robin
    Same with the size of a cow
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    letthegoodtimesrollletthegoodtimesroll
    AFKABartram said:

    Like chocolate bars and bags of crisps

    We're talking about cars and your first thoughts are chocolate bars and crisps ???...no wonder cars are bigger these days
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    MuttleyCAFCMuttleyCAFC
    cafcfan said:

    New vs Old:



    image

    Yes but if you have a crash in it - goodbye! Same with the mini!
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    DaveMehmetDaveMehmet
    One of my mums neighbours is storing an old Volvo Amazon in her garage for a while. Looks a wreck but actually drives and is fairly solid underneath. Am tempted to take it on but my wife would kill me.

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    cashncarrycashncarry
    DaveMehmet said:

    One of my mums neighbours is storing an old Volvo Amazon in her garage for a while. Looks a wreck but actually drives and is fairly solid underneath. Am tempted to take it on but my wife would kill me.

    Plenty of lube you should be ok
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    guinnessaddickguinnessaddick
    cashncarry said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    One of my mums neighbours is storing an old Volvo Amazon in her garage for a while. Looks a wreck but actually drives and is fairly solid underneath. Am tempted to take it on but my wife would kill me.

    Plenty of lube you should be ok
    Plus plenty of choke.
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    DaveMehmetDaveMehmet
    .
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    T_C_ET_C_E
    @DaveMehmet another Classic car show this year June 10th
    Sheppey Utd's ground. 
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    HastingsRedHastingsRed
    Back in the day my mate had a Mk3 Cortina, thought it was huge but saw one recently and it looked small.
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    StrikerFirmaniStrikerFirmani
    HastingsRed said:
    Back in the day my mate had a Mk3 Cortina, thought it was huge but saw one recently and it looked small.
    In its time it was bigger than most family saloons.  I had one and it felt big inside.  However cars have been getting larger over recent decades even sports cars.

    The new Lotus Emira is 1985mm (6'5") wide try getting that in a single garage and get out when parked.  
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    StrikerFirmaniStrikerFirmani
    Forgot to mention the Lotus was with mirrors folded so even wider.
     
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    HastingsRedHastingsRed
    StrikerFirmani said:
    HastingsRed said:
    Back in the day my mate had a Mk3 Cortina, thought it was huge but saw one recently and it looked small.
    In its time it was bigger than most family saloons.  I had one and it felt big inside.  However cars have been getting larger over recent decades even sports cars.

    The new Lotus Emira is 1985mm (6'5") wide try getting that in a single garage and get out when parked.  
    Yes single garages are pretty useless now handy for other things but no good for the modern car.
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    DaveMehmetDaveMehmet
    T_C_E said:
    @DaveMehmet another Classic car show this year June 10th
    Sheppey Utd's ground. 
    Cheers, haven’t seen that one. Am at a show on the 11th so may be able to make it
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    Pedro45Pedro45
    edited May 2023
    I went to the (1st) Chislehurst Car Show on Sunday, and some really nice cars there, including this Porsche 356 (think Kelly McGillis in Top Gun and you'll know which car it is...).

    Some other nice Ferrari's, Lambo's, pimped Chevvy's, plus some classic British cars like Morgan's, Mini's. Cortina's, E-types, etc.
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