August 1970 Consumer Reports 3/4 ton Custom Camper Comparison Test

[Alex V.]

Originally Posted by Coley

Yep.
I often run into people at show'n shines that go about how much better these vehicles were...and I always find myself at odds in my reply.
Truthfully, vehicles have never been better built, safer and more reliable than what is coming off the assembly lines today, truth be told.
However....the tipping point is that these older vehicles are like interesting mechanical art to me...and for that reason, should not be compared on a practical basis. Plus, they are just a lot of fun to have, own, drive and putz around with...which is something quite different than straight up transportation.
My two bits.

Coley

Ditto, except I contend new cars are engineered as MUCH more a closed system - less room to be used, repaired, or modified outside of exact replacement parts or full component replacement. Yes, they're light years better when they're new, but once aged and worn they're much easier classified as just plain "done" than an older rig.