27 replies to this topic

[Black.Ghost]

I would have to agree with Mr Max. Teens in the 60s and 20s in the 70s would be pretty cool. I have similar music feelings to Spud but not a massive fan of metal - I just think most of today's stuff is crap.

I do like the technology around these days though - and it's only getting better.

[RawlinsGTR]

The image of the past we have in our mind is just an idealized version of what it really was.

BUT, if I was born in 1967 instead of 1977, would I then think that I would rather have been born in 1957? Then, if I'd been born in 1957 instead of 1967 or 1977, would I want to have been born in 1947?

Pretty much sums up how I think of anachronisity. (Is that even a WORD?!)

[midridge2]

i was born in the early 50s, i often think how hard it is for people now compared to my younger years.
in my youth i did see the launch of the mini and worked on them when the mk1 was still current, it was so easy back then to finish work on a friday and go and find a new job for the monday.
kids played games outdoors and you came home when your mother shouted for you, no fears off being "snatched", doors were left open/unlocked, you went out camping on a friday after school and came back sunday night with just a tent and a ex army blanket and a couple of tins of beans.
no police stopping and searching you or taking your name, you had the local bobby living in your village in a police house.

we would walk 6 miles to the next village to see a group play, no fear of gangs and kniffings.
no health and safety like today, what the government did was left to them, off no interest to us.
life seemed so easier back then than the last 20 years.

[Black.Ghost]

i was born in the early 50s, i often think how hard it is for people now compared to my younger years.
in my youth i did see the launch of the mini and worked on them when the mk1 was still current, it was so easy back then to finish work on a friday and go and find a new job for the monday.
kids played games outdoors and you came home when your mother shouted for you, no fears off being "snatched", doors were left open/unlocked, you went out camping on a friday after school and came back sunday night with just a tent and a ex army blanket and a couple of tins of beans.
no police stopping and searching you or taking your name, you had the local bobby living in your village in a police house.

we would walk 6 miles to the next village to see a group play, no fear of gangs and kniffings.
no health and safety like today, what the government did was left to them, off no interest to us.
life seemed so easier back then than the last 20 years.

Thats made me wish I lived back then even more now

[86mayfair]

My Dad was born in 52 and I'm so jealous!! I recon being born in 1948-52 would be awesome! He's always telling me that when he was a young kid they used to just play outside in old bomb sites and go out all the time without worrying. He was a teenager in the 60s with the best grand prix, endurance/sports car racing and rallying. He saw the works minis and escorts first hand, along with the Lotus 49, Ford GT40, Ferrari 312, 250, 512, The original 911 and 917.

The music was incredible then, and pirate radio played such a huge part in it. He keeps telling me how he went to a free gig in Hyde Park in 69 with the Stones, the Who, King Crimson, Blind Faith etc. If you want to hear some of the best music from the 60s watch The Boat that Rocked, such a great funny film with a brilliant sound track.

I love the fashions too, not just the stuff you see on Austin Powers but the actuall fashions and the dancing. Even things like the radios record players and stuff like that!

Longing rant over...

[Black.Ghost]

The Boat that Rocked is an amazing film. I agree - that alone would have been worth living in the 60s for (not the film - pirate radio being born).

[MaxAndPaddy]

Knowing what I know now, I'd love to have been born about 1000 years from now - I think it would be fascinating to see what we had become

I'd settle for re-living what I've had..... knowing what I already know

[Cooperman]

I was born in 1940! I can remember the launch of the Mini when I was 18 and I wanted one. As an apprentice engineer in the aircraft industry I couldn't afford one for a while.
They were great times and I do feel so fortunate to have never been unemployed, always had a lot of fun, flown aeroplanes and driven/navigated rally cars at all levels of competition. I've owned and built Minis, amnd a lot of other great cars.
The '60's - Minis & Cortinas, the Beatles, pirate radio stations, mini-skirts, good beer (not weasel-p**s lager), the Concorde, 'sex & drugs & rock & roll'.
I married in 1965 - the first time that is, and my wife had a Mini Van whilst I had a 998 Cooper, rally prepared.
The country was, for me at any rate, a great place to live & work. Crime seemed less, there was no fear of being mugged or knifed when out at night.
Please understand that I do appreciate how lucky I was to have been young back then and I tell my children and greandchildren about it with a mixture of satisfaction and pride.
Nothing now seems to have any sort of 'permanent' feel to it, if you can understand that. Companies have no loyalty to their employees and, maybe vice-versa. Cars are boring as they are just so 'all the same' and totally reliable compared with the cars we had then.
No National Speed Limit until 1965 so 100+ mph was fine and quite acceptable if you had a suitable car.
I could go on and on about it all, but it would make me more nostalgic and most of you somewhat envious.

[cradley-heathen]

ahhh, i see i have got some of you thinking, and some of our older members remembering.

its nice to think its not just me that wonders what it would hve been like "back then" anyway.

my dad was born in '59 and he has got some good stories to tell, mostly as others have said. he did say that all the fuss about drugs and free love etc he never saw any of it!

im glad someone mentioned the "austin powers" thing too. dont get me wrong its a good couple of films, but from what im told, not exactly very historically accurate! when we went to teh goodwood revival last year, we were all dressed up in 50s clothes (genuine stuff) and we spotted this one berk dressed like austin powers, and his missis is one of those black white check dresses, they looked really daft, im surprised they let them in!

[blacktulip]

^{i think growing up in the 90's was good actually. if i had my way though i would prefer if people behaved like they did in the 40's. my nan reckons she could leave her door open all the time without worry. children were a lot better behaved and things like proper manners towards elders and dinner times where family spent time together were really important.}

[86mayfair]

I went as a rocker scuffed and dirty winklepickers, greasy slim jeans with a turn up, white t-shirt, leather bike jacket with a few bike badges, Wayfairers and slicked back hair, it was so much fun! There was some serious attention to detail there on the cars and the costumes. Walking through the classic car park by the start/fish entrance was really interesting, some nice minis in there too