That's when the reality finally hit me. About 10 years ago I decided to properly fix the choke on the '70 Challenger 'vert I owned at the time. I knew the local chain stores didn't have the part I needed so I went to the old independent store that had been in business for many years. I told the parts guy who was at least 20 years my senior what I needed. He kind of frowned and squinted at me and said, "Sonny, they haven't made a car with a carburetor in 20-some years. And you expect us to have that part in stock?" Ummm....well, I hadn't exactly thought of it that way. LOL But that's when I realized these cars were, in fact, 'old'.
I disagree with the statement that these cars were made to last. Our beloved a-bodies were the cheap throw-away cars of their day. If you look carefully at an unrestored one, most likely the paint and workmanship won't be very high quality. I think the main reason that many of them have lasted to this day is because of their simplicity. Almost anyone (even me!) can keep one going. And there is a value in this that made people try to preserve them.
It will be interesting to see what the hobby will be like in 20 years. I think the cars that are new to us now and seem so complex will have a following of enthusiasts that will understand their intricities and will be maintaining them as we do our 'old' cars.
Dallas