Back in the good old days

"The Swedish Bandit" (swedishbandit)
03/11/2014 at 15:03 • Filed to: 70's street machines

Remember when cars where fun and affordable? When big tires, lumpy cams and something protruding from the hood was TUFF and not at all considered tacky? Before the days of over-restored, date coded, numbers matching, museum quality investment pieces that they are now? The boring, dust collections sitting in climate controlled, carpeted garages only to be handled ever so delicately with the white glove treatment? The most excitement we get is when they are PUSHED across the auction block and over and over every single one of these "RARE" cars is sold for 20 times its original asking price to someone we all know probably won't be laying black patches with it.

What about the days before complicated, computer controlled, high tech, massive wheels and rubber band tires on this trend known as the G Machine? What's this you want your '69 Camaro to handle like a 2012 Vette??? Go buy a new Vette then! Stop trying to make old cars new!

If you agree with these statements, you found the right !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on the internet!

Just s ome truly inspirational words taken from the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (25)

505Turbeaux > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:04

Kinja'd!!!

Dat roundie 2002

The Swedish Bandit > 505Turbeaux
03/11/2014 at 15:09

I get the feeling you're focusing on the wrong car in the picture...

505Turbeaux > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:11

lol actually that AMX front and center is my favorite one in the pic

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 505Turbeaux
03/11/2014 at 15:13

The first two comments on this thread were so perfect for both of you

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:13

70's street machines.

Awfully anti 60's street machines to have 60's cars in their pics....

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:15

I have a feeling the most diehard members of that particular tumblr are about due for the earlybird special at old country buffet.

The Swedish Bandit > 505Turbeaux
03/11/2014 at 15:15

Yeah it certainily "pops". The only thing sticking out more than it has to be the owner of that Cougar.

The Swedish Bandit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/11/2014 at 15:20

"Ahem", further quoting from the info page; I know the page is called 70’s Street Machines, but please don’t freak out if you see a Gasser from 1965 or a 1981 Z28. It’s all about the Street Machine ERA!

But I'm sure you were just kidding about that part anyways... RIGHT?!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:21

RIGHT!

And a little sad that my Montego was "left out"

As I have no intention of making mine perfect, despite having the original window sticker.

I already ripped off it's boring 2 barrel and stock single exhaust!

The Swedish Bandit > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/11/2014 at 15:21

I'm pretty sure most diehard members don't even own a computer in the first place.

The Swedish Bandit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/11/2014 at 15:25

HELL YEAH! Unleash your car's inner beast!

I'd suggest going ridiculously aggressive cam as the next step, making the car completely undriveable on the street.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:30

Hahaha, as for right now the cam will stay as is. But don't worry the Super 44's are loud and angry as hell.

Have I shared the video with you?

The Swedish Bandit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/11/2014 at 15:36

I remember seeing something of your car running a while back but I can't remember exactly what it was showing :P

Feel free to link the video again to refresh my memory, I could use some V8 sounds to cheer me up on my b-day anyways.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:49

Well in that case, Happy Birthday!

And let this V8 ROAR FOR YOU!

)

The Swedish Bandit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/11/2014 at 15:56

Thanks!

And it sounds fucking amazing! I mean I can't even believe how amazing that sounds with just an exhaust change!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 15:58

Thanks! And that is absolutely the only thing different from first to second.

I didn't even have an oil change between those 2 videos.

That's also why I'm not messing with a cam right now. It sounds SO good. I just want to drive it all summer. I think the only thing I'll do this summer is get the floor pans patched up (small holes, not a full pan replacement ——hopefully).

The Swedish Bandit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/11/2014 at 16:04

And I completely see why you don't want to change anymore atm. And patching the floor pans should pretty easy enough. Just weld in some new metal in it's place and throw a bit of rust protection on it. The most annoying thing will probably be ripping out the carpet and all that.

1337HPMustang > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 16:11

You're right, they send in polaroids by writing the email address on the front of a letter and somehow it makes its way onto the tumblr.

jlmounce > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 16:16

I agree with part of your post. I don't agree with it at all. The G Machine, Pro-Touring, Restomod trend is actually helping to do exactly what the article's writer wants.

He/She is tired of seeing cars become heirlooms that sit in hermtically sealed bubbles. A car that isn't driven, is no car. That, I think many of us would agree on. I certainly agree.

It's why I do spare expenses on my 1969 Firebird. I didn't want something so nice and over restored, that I wouldn't ever want to drive it.

That's where pro-touring and restomodding comes in to play. Lets face it, cars of the 60's and 70's don't exactly drive the greatest. They have a mystique about them, that's true. But for daily enjoyment and getting around town, they can be quite the bear. Nobody wants to muscle around a 3800 lb car with manual drum brakes and manual steering. It's tiring to say the least. Find yourself in a cramped parking lot looking for a non-fat, double mocha chai latte with out foam? Yeah, that's gonna suck.

That's where technology comes in to play. We get new upgraded disc brakes with bower boosters, hydraulic steering etc. Ride quality goes up, handling and overall safety is increased.

While the style may not be to everybody's liking, the technology behind it, is letting cars 35-40-45 years old lead new lives on a more than "occasional" basis.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 16:17

what carpet?

and I don't have a welder nor do I know how to use one.

I've been quoted about 200 bucks.

The Swedish Bandit > 1337HPMustang
03/11/2014 at 16:17

Just one of the many wonder of the 21st century. "People, we are living in the future"

The Swedish Bandit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/11/2014 at 16:23

All the easier then! Can't you borrow or rent one from someone you know? Can't be too hard as I (with hardly any welding experience at all) manged to stitch up an entire custom trunk floor for my Firebird fairly decently. You get the hang of it pretty quickly.

On the other hand; 200 bucks is pretty decent also... If you're feeling lazy :P

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 16:32

Haha, well I'd have to buy my own materials, learn how to weld, hopefully not destroy my car, find a welder to borrow/rent.

I think the body shop is the best answer.

The Swedish Bandit > jlmounce
03/11/2014 at 16:39

Well while it's nothing really wrong with the pro-touring scene, what I think both the author (and me) are aiming at is that building a Corvette-slaying 69' Camaro is going to be very expensive, no matter how you look at it. If you're just looking for a real fun car a stock handling old muscle car will do the job just fine. You know?, unsafe at any speed, always an exiting experience.

Also I don't see why you can't drive a stock handling 40 old car more than on an occasional basis? I DD my stock handling 76 Firebird during the spring-summer-autumn period of the year, and it works just wonderful for that. However I have yet to see a pro touring car being DD, but I'm sure they're out there.

jlmounce > The Swedish Bandit
03/11/2014 at 16:52

Yeah, I can see your point. Some of those builds go a little far. The actual users of the group call those guys "show-touring." In reality, that set of people were around even back in the 60's and 70's.

You certainly can drive around on the stock suspension and still have a good time. But if you're building a car and not making it 100% stock to retain that type of feel, why not spend the money on some parts that will make it more comfortable and safer at the same time?

That doesn't necessarily mean lowered with a stiff, trick suspension on super large wheels and super low profile tires. That may simply mean going to a modern leaf and spring package with modern shocks and tires. That combination will be more stable and provide a better ride.