Some of the modern "muscle cars" have done a good job of getting that old vibe back. I'm thinking of the eras from the 1930's - 1960's, sedans & coupes. I've no doubt they could incorporate those old body designs into modern day vehicles, and still meet all current regulations. All electric anyone?
Why can't they start again?
- Thread starter comish4
- Start date
Some of the modern "muscle cars" have done a good job of getting that old vibe back. I'm thinking of the eras from the 1930's - 1960's, sedans & coupes. I've no doubt they could incorporate those old body designs into modern day vehicles, and still meet all current regulations. All electric anyone?
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
You can buy a Challenger at any Chrysler dealer just as you can for the Chrysler 300. It's just another retro automobile with a modern engine and electronics. The current Charger is another example.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Look at the price of a Caprice or LTD in the mid 70's and compare that will at moderately priced SUV from the same company today. 4 or 5 times higher or more. So figure a 1200 was selling at 349 in the beginning and by the middle 70's it was 495. Then look at the price today. Depending on which version, all of which out perform the originals the price is 3 to 5 times higher. So what are you complaining about. Even gasoline is 3 to 5 times higher today and we are in a recession. Wait till the economy kicks in a gain in a few years. Gasoline will be up to three dollars where its cheap and close to 5 dollars else where. Especially if the politicians have their way. Buy now while you can because in a few years prices are going to change. Of course if the LP fad goes away you will be able to buy a great TT for next to nothing. How do you think I feel having to pay over $20.00+ for a new LP today when I use to pay $2. 88 wholesale in the early 70's. Classical LPs were $3.49.
There are plenty of sub-$500 turntables to be had. Why somebody would pay that kind of money for something almost identical with 30 years on it makes no sense at all.
When I got into old stuff in the late 90's it represented very good value. These days it represents exceptionally poor value, and 30 or 40 year old turntables going for as much as modern, better turntables is a perfect example.
When I got into old stuff in the late 90's it represented very good value. These days it represents exceptionally poor value, and 30 or 40 year old turntables going for as much as modern, better turntables is a perfect example.
grillebilly
Empty Head
I think comparing cars to consumer electronics is unfair. Cars were relatively bare bones compared to today’s vehicles. Replacing something as typical as shocks on an old car is under $100 and could be ten times that much for an average car today.
If someone invests their resources into a project, they generally expect a return of some sort. If not, they will quickly run out of resources to invest.
This is where I'm at now. I'm not buying any more old gear. From now on when a piece gives it up I'm just buying a new low end replacement. I never was a audiophile anyway.
Mystic
We're all born mad
Hell, I remember paying as little as 40 cents for SIS records.... in the '60s and @ the "then" cutout equivalent section @ record shops. Shops w/ "everyday" LP prices @ $1.99 were not uncommon even into the early '70s.
Prowler had the 3.5 V6. But even though it was not a dog by any means, it needed more engine.
swechsler
Frog Whisperer
No offense, but I always get a kick out of when people say they think a manufacturer should do such and such because there would be a market for it. The cars that you posted while I was typing this were expensive models back in their day. Auto manufacturers spend hundreds of millions of dollars per year to specialists trying to determine what people would want to buy. You can't just put an old body on a new car because older cars were body on frame and almost all new cars (with the exception of a few trucks and SUVs) are unibody. Now having said that, your idea has been tried several times. Consider the Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Chevy HHR. Both were somewhat successful initially but weren't popular enough to continue manufacturing today. Same goes for the VW New Beetle. The aforementioned Prowler was never intended to be a high volume car, hot rods are a niche market in the best of times. But there are other current cars (here I'm thinking of the Camaro and Mustang but there are others) whose styling is inspired by classic vehicles, but the design has been modernized enough to appeal to younger people who don't have the nostalgia for the originals. And that's the problem. Car styling follows trends, and first time buyers don't necessarily have any desire to drive the cars that their parents or grandparents owned.
Now having said all that, there is a small market for the sort of car you're talking about, but they're expensive. Look into restomods.
Quadman2
Lunatic Member
If you are looking for a specific vintage piece then the price will probably be high, especially if it is sought after... If you are looking for a "vintage turntable" then there are a ton of choices for cheap vintage turntables that will do well. Slap a new belt on it, give it a little lube and off you go...
Also plenty of new ones being sold. I think the market is providing for those who want at the moment.
Also plenty of new ones being sold. I think the market is providing for those who want at the moment.
beat_truck
Addicted Member
Was $675 the asking / BIN price or what it actually sold for? If those tables are really going for that kind of money, it might be time to liquidate my turntable collection.
They sure don't go for anywhere near that much locally. It would probably take a while to sell one for more than $100.
They sure don't go for anywhere near that much locally. It would probably take a while to sell one for more than $100.
Vintage turntables were never high end. Vinyl wasn't high end in the 1960's or 1970's. Reel to reel tape was high end back then. I've never understood the fascination with vinyl, and I STRONGLY disagree with claims of it's sonic superiority. 3.75 IPS tape is far better. I really wish the vintage community and analog devotees would pull their heads out of the groove and create demand for good tape machines and recordings for them.
Bone Yard
Super Member
Good news! They're still making a lot of turntables, I didn't look at the country of origin but there's several brands still pumping them out. I took this photo two years ago at Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara, they have a crap-load of new tables. While the display looks like low-end, they have anything you can think of in audio, including high end systems. The shoppers over there are very respectful of the merchandise and it's common to see expensive items out in the open.
https://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/en/0018/
I bet Bic Camera down the street has them as well but Yodobashi is huge and has a craft brew restaurant in it's seven stories of electronic goodness.
https://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/en/0018/
I bet Bic Camera down the street has them as well but Yodobashi is huge and has a craft brew restaurant in it's seven stories of electronic goodness.