Vintage Things That Have Disappeared In Your Lifetime?

[Zombie_61]

Maybe on the way out. 18-wheelers. Now 14. So many country songs will have to be rewritten.

I wouldn't start buying stock in truck tire companies just yet. Long story, but within 18 months I was a student at two different trucking schools, and every instructor repeated the "fact" that all of the big trucking companies were trading in their manual transmission trucks for automatic transmission counterparts because "it was easier on the drivers". I finally got my Class B license, and every company I interviewed with told me they had no such intentions. The company that finally hired me? Their Class B truck had an automatic transmission. And, yes, as a matter of fact it was easier to drive.

 

[Fifty150]

Most vehicles have automatic transmissions. Very few vehicles can be found with a manual transmission. The motorcycle industry believes that sales are down because people don't know how to operate a clutch and shift gears. Most, if not all, motorcycle manufacturers have an automatic transmission motorcycle on the market, or in the pipeline. As the trend goes towards electric, electric motorcycles will not have gears.

 

[Turnip]

German armed forces…

 

[LizzieMaine]

The last time I tried to drive an automatic transmission car, I drove it up the side of a curb and nearly into the side of a building. For the safety of all concerned, I'll stick to my clutch.

 

[Turnip]

The last time I tried to drive an automatic transmission car, I drove it up the side of a curb and nearly into the side of a building. For the safety of all concerned, I'll stick to my clutch.

I drive both, a six gear hand stirred and an eight speed automatic.

 

[ChiTownScion]

Sold my little Poor Man's Porsche Honda with the 5 speed manual when we moved. There's definitely an element of driving that made it more enjoyable that's been lost. I always felt that in the ice and snow that being able to downshift gave more control.

 

[Turnip]

Haha, yes, driving an automatic sometimes feels like driving a bumper car…

 

[Zombie_61]

Sold my little Poor Man's Porsche Honda with the 5 speed manual when we moved. There's definitely an element of driving that made it more enjoyable that's been lost. I always felt that in the ice and snow that being able to downshift gave more control.

When you know how to drive a vehicle with one a manual transmission does indeed give you more control. I'm also of the opinion that a manual transmission gives the driver a better "feel" for how the car handles overall and what it is and isn't capable of doing. I just feel more "connected" to the car/truck when I'm manually shifting.

 

[LostInTyme]

I used to think like you. Old age and arthritis have rendered me to using an automatic. They have improved these to a point where-by, a good deal of control as to shifting points can be experienced by the driver. I have used the "manual" or "sport" mode now and again. Car shifts where I want it to, but there is no clutch to depress. Anyway, I don't use it much, but my Mazda CX-5 handles better than my 1960's series Corvettes and much better than an old MG I had in high school. I traded a Mini Cooper S model for the Mazda. It had a 6 speed manual and a turbo charger. Now that was a great handling car and a blast to drive. It went where I pointed it and little or no body roll in hard curves. Again, the limits of an aging body forced me to give it up. We owned it for 10 years and they were fun times behind the wheel.

 

[belfastboy]

Most vehicles have automatic transmissions. Very few vehicles can be found with a manual transmission. The motorcycle industry believes that sales are down because people don't know how to operate a clutch and shift gears. Most, if not all, motorcycle manufacturers have an automatic transmission motorcycle on the market, or in the pipeline. As the trend goes towards electric, electric motorcycles will not have gears.

My beloved trusty auto w/ manual tranny, base model with no bells nor whistles came to the end of its service life last month. Sadly I had so little choice in new cars with manual shift I had to buy an automatic. That part is not so bad but buying the base model these days means that it has more bells, whistles, warning lights, cameras, automatic braking and warning beeps that I think I will have to actually read the owners manual........to find out how to turn them off.

 

[Zombie_61]

I used to think like you. Old age and arthritis have rendered me to using an automatic...

In October of 2004 I had surgery to repair a herniated disc in my lower back that wasn't 100% successful (i.e., I'm now a chronic pain patient), and the results forced me to start driving automatics. Between then and now I've learned how to work with/around my back issues, but now there isn't much point to going back to manual transmissions just to prove I can drive one again. I still prefer manual simply because it gives me more to do and keeps me from getting bored while I'm driving, but I've gotten used to automatics. *shrug*

 

[tonyb]

I hear that the dual-clutch “automatic” transmission in the new ’vette has made believers of the most strident anti-automatic drivers.

I learned to drive in cars with automatic nothing, power nothing. Fewer things to break, as we said then, and as some say still. But those bare-bones cars still broke down with far greater frequency than your typical late-model Lexus, with power everything. Difference is, you’d have a helluva hard time fixing the Lexus on the side of the road with the kinds of tools and spares we carried in the trunk back in the day.

 

[Fifty150]

Drink in the face. You see it in old movies. Nobody does that anymore. The last time a lady threw a drink in my face, it must have been back in The 90's.

 

[LostInTyme]

Heck, they cost too much to throw away.

 

[Fifty150]

About 15 years ago, Harley Davidson stopped using carburetors. I have 1 of the last Harley Davidson motorcycles with a carburetor. A carburetor which I now need to rebuild. As I'm watching The History Channel's show, The Machines That Built America. The episode I'm watching is about Harley Davidson....... I realize that the bike I ride has been in continuous production since The 50's.

 

[Turnip]

Such as not too few US cars too.

 

[LostInTyme]

Soon, there won't be any internal combustion engines in automobiles, trucks, boats, motor cycles, chain saws, generators, or other equipment that we all have come to take for granted. I have already switched to a battery powered lawn mower, chain saw, and hand held leaf blower. And, their performance is adequate for my needs.

 

[dwilson]

I'm a bit different since I'm only 35 and have never owned an automatic. I never really went out of my way to purchase one its just the cars were about 1.5k cheaper with manual and for a broke college kid that's important. When I finally had money I bought my WRX and really wanted this in manual since it's a drivers car. With that said I'm pretty certain my next car will be automatic (or more likely electric) just for convenience. It wasn't as bad when I lived in Ohio but in California the highways and side streets are always stop and go. Its just annoying having to depress the clutch constantly in these scenarios.

 

[LostInTyme]

We changed over to strictly automatics since moving to western Pennsylvania where you are always going up or down hill. Our last manual transmission car was a Mini Cooper S model. Lots of fun to drive, but then constant shifting became unfun.

 

[tonyb]

…
It wasn't as bad when I lived in Ohio but in California the highways and side streets are always stop and go. Its just annoying having to depress the clutch constantly in these scenarios.

Not so much over the past 16 months or so, what with the working from home and being spared the daily commute, but you’ve identified the primary reason I much prefer an automatic transmission and power steering and A/C and all those other creature comforts. When it takes 45 minutes or more to cover a dozen miles, not having to manually shift makes a tedious commute at least a little less so.