What makes a car 'retro'? I think...

[MrT]

So here goes:

Think of one rule that decides whether or not a car is 'retro'. How old does it have to be to be a retro? Is it an age thing? Is it an appearance thing? Is it a price thing?

To me, retro means you can fix it yourself easily. So I'm gonna go for 'pre 1993' - the year after which it must have a catalytic converter. Pre '93 means no compulsary cat, no need for a lambda sensor, no need to pretend to care about the ozone layer

Therefore, for me, Retro is... pre '93

[JohnnySomersett]

retro is subjective

[MrT]

Yes I know it's subjective, but you must have an idea in your head as a rough guide to whether something is retro or not, before getting into the subjective side of things? Something like "can't be retro if it ain't got drum brakes", etc?

[scaryoldcortina]

one rule?

everything has potential

besides, my 68 cortina has a lambda sensor...

[ThePollitt]

For me, while age is of course a factor, I judge the notion of 'retro' upon the cars look.

Obviously a 2003 car isn't going to work, but in my eyes a 10 year old car, if treated to the right 'alterations' would fit in just as well as a car which is considered the norm for our group, such as an old J motor or the like (again, subjected to the alterations that the owner likes).

The problem is that the word itself; retro, has (thanks to this forum) evolved from it's definition as described by the people who word dictionaries. 'Retro' to us is a car which, while not new, has been subjected to a level of care, attention and alteration that it would not be subjected to ordinarily.

We take our cars to heart here, they are an extention of our personalities. An automotive identity if you will.

In my eyes, a 'retro' car is one that is at least ten years old, and of course, it's a car that makes you proud to be sat in whenever you take it out.

Chris

[JohnnySomersett]

Aug 17, 2008 21:48:14 GMT MrT said:

Yes I know it's subjective, but you must have an idea in your head as a rough guide to whether something is retro or not, before getting into the subjective side of things? Something like "can't be retro if it ain't got drum brakes", etc?

'retro is subjective' was my 'rule' LOL

As soon as you make a rule, even just for yourself, you're instantly limiting your options.

BUT, if I had to have one less vague and contemplative id probably say 'retro is out-of-date'


You get the same sort of desire to catagorise in pretty much everything now. I remember being 16 and a 'punk' with the daft peacock hair having fury-filled rants with people as to what 'punk' was Not backing up your hard drive is pretty punk nowadays LOL

[reanimation]

It doesn't matter too much, depending on who you are really. i've always liked old cars. regardless of retro or whatever. Think of this Nev has a Mk1 Sierra that's older than him! yet not old skool enough for some communities!

its all down to how many you see and how often. retro is a vision of how things used to be and are not now, so if thats boy racers of 1997 with 90's cars on 17's so be it

really retro for me goes back to my childhood personally, but beyond too/.

[ThePollitt]

Aug 17, 2008 21:53:23 GMT JohnnySomersett said:

BUT, if I had to have one less vague and contemplative id probably say 'retro is out-of-date'

Chris

[MrT]

Aug 17, 2008 21:53:23 GMT JohnnySomersett said:

BUT, if I had to have one less vague and contemplative id probably say 'retro is out-of-date'

Now that's a good one ;D

[Nev]

Retro? Last mini off the production line in 2000...

Aug 17, 2008 21:54:04 GMT reanimation said:

Think of this Nev has a Mk1 Sierra that's older than him! yet not old skool enough for some communities!

All the cars i have owned/own are older than me! ;D

[bigginger]

Never yet managed to own a car older than me - though it's pretty close now with my '67. Agree it's subjective, but to me it has to be pre '73

[Robinxr4i]

Aug 17, 2008 21:54:04 GMT reanimation said:

Think of this Nev has a Mk1 Sierra that's older than him! yet not old skool enough for some communities!

Yep sad but true!

[jiminwatford]

To me, Retro = cool, and if it's not cool, i don't want to know

[MartinC]

Bumpers made from metal.

[goldenwonder]

Does it really matter? Surely it's all down to the individual-if YOU think it's retro & YOU think it has potential, get on & do it. If you're happy with it then Job Done.
IMHO only of course.

*edit-does that actually make any sense?*

[HoTWire]

For the last 4 years :

"What is Retro Rides all about?

Now there is a question! The forum started as a place to discuss different marques of classic and modified classic cars. Defining what cars we actually discuss is a little tricky, there some general threads that ties them all together. The cars are generally a peoples car of some sort, rather than out of reach sports cars, or they are an under appreciated classic. The cars tend to be modified either aesthetically, mechanically or both. They tend to be over 20 years old. More often than not they would be what most people consider budget classics.

However, they may not conform to any of these things, this is what makes what we do so interesting. So if you've got a 1973 Vauxhall Viva dropped over BBS alloys, or a 1906 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, we'll be as interested to hear about your experiences and what its like to own your car, because above everything else Retro Rides is about a love of cars."

Locking, only because people can get a bit sensative about this stuff, and really there is a lot of personal preference in it