Retro Garage: Remembering the Chrysler K - Cars!

They weren't fast.  They weren't sporty.  But, they were reliable, economical, cars with lots of room for a family.  If you grew up in the 80s, there's a good chance that you may have been carted around in the Chrysler K - Car.  The now defunct Plymouth brand offered the Reliant and Dodge had the Aries.  Our family had the 1985 Dodge Aries.  It was actually a very nice looking car as the styling was somewhat like a Mercedes of the day.  Of course, the engine immediately let you know that it wasn't an enthusiast car.  To read a complete review, check out - Retro Car Review:  the 1985 Dodge Aries K-Car

By IFCAR (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Mercedes-Style Tail Lights:  By Bull-Doser (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Retro Garage: Remembering the 1990 Dodge Shadow

My first new car--actually my only new car--was a 1990 Dodge Shadow.  It looked good and had a spacious interior.  Mine was white, like the car below, but I had graphics on the side, alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler.

By IFCAR (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

If I would have had a sport engine package, my car would have looked much like this one.  However, with the standard 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, engine I didn't get a raised hood.

By Karrmann (self made photo) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

While cars have evolved over the last 22 years, I think the design of this Dodge Shadow still looks great.  However, I may be the only one who feels that way.  If you'd like to read a complete review, check out my article:

Retro Car Review:  the 1990 Dodge Shadow

Our SUV has a Secret . . . it's a station wagon!

I've finally come to grips with something about our SUV.  It's a Toyota Highlander and it's just not that macho.  In fact, after careful thought, I'm pretty sure that our SUV is actually a station wagon.  If you don't believe me, check out this picture of an AMC Matador and a Toyota Highlander side by side.

Not convinced?  Check out my article:

Our SUV is Secretly a Station Wagon

When it comes to Retro, what goes around comes around.  We have lots of seventies-style station wagons among us every day.

I hate the Rubik's Cube

Many people fondly remember the Rubik's Cube.  I'm not one of them.  I hate the Rubik's Cube.  I never could solve it.  I never learned any pattern to solve it.  I never had the patience to solve it.  But, it was the in thing for a short time in the 80s.  If you have the patience and you think you are up for the challenge, I saw a Rubik's Cube in my local RiteAid drug store for $15.99.  Just keep it out of my face . . .

By Kleiner (Rubik's_cube.svg) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Retro Garage: Remembering the 1980 Chevy Citation

My family's first car of the 1980s was the Chevy Citation.  It was an innovative car that received a lot of criticism for being subject to 13 recalls.  However, it was a good performer with lots of interior space, front wheel drive, and a peppy transverse-mounted V-6 engine.  As a teen driver, I put the Citation through its paces and performed every maneuver seen on "The Dukes of Hazzard."  For a full review, check out my article:

Retro Car Review:  the 1980 Chevrolet Citation

This was the Citation X11 Sport Coupe.  We had a notchback couple with this body style.  But, it wasn't officially a sports coupe.  Photo by Uniquesweetguy at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

By dave_7 (originally posted to Flickr as Chevrolet Citation) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

It's been years now since I've seen a Chevrolet Citation on the road.  Those that are out there have seen better days, but it was the predecessor of legions of front wheel drive GM cars.  Maybe it was too much fun to the drive?

By Bull-Doser (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

My Favorite Childhood Game - Stratego

Can You Plot the Perfect Victory?
The gameboard is your battlefield.  You have an army of men and six bombs at your disposal.  Your mission:  Capture the opponent's flag and protect your own.  You and your opponent secretly place your men, bombs, and flag on the gameboard.  Once the armies are in place, advance your men.  When you're one space away from the enemy, attack.  You and your opponent declare ranks.  The lower-ranking man is captured -- and taken out of play.  Move with caution and courage.  The next piece you attack could be a bomb that will "blast" your man off the board!  The first to capture the flag is the winner!
(back cover copy:  Milton Bradley Stratego Board Game Box.)

This was my absolute favorite boardgame when I was in elementary school.  It was fun to line up an army, try to strengthen defenses around a flag, and advance across the battlefield.  It was an excellent game to start kids thinking and planning tactically and strategically.  It was only $3.  But, I left it for a kid to find.

By User François Haffner on fr.wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

 If you'd like to buy this game, bang the picture below to check it out on Amazon:

Do Retro Work Outs Still Work?

Remember the great work out gurus of the 80s?  Did your mom watch Richard Simmons?  Did your family have Jane Fonda's workout tapes stacked by the VCR?

In this Shine! video, a professional trainer offers a review of the old work outs here:
Which Retro Workout Methods Stand the Test of Time