Retro Thing

An airborne workhorse

The Cessna 172 is one of the most popular light planes in the world. Over 42,500 of these capable four-seat aircraft were produced between 1968 and 1985, and you can usually find a handful on the ramp at flight training schools across North America and around the world.

Many pilots learn to fly the 172 because of its solid construction and easy handling. The high-wing design offers an unobstructed view of the world below and the tricycle landing gear is far easier to handle for student pilots than a "taildragger" design.

The 172 was produced in a variety of models sporting a range of avionics and powerplants. The most popular was the four cylinder 160-HP Lycoming O-320 powered 172N. It has a maximum crusing speed of 122 knots (226 kph), a service ceiling of 14,500 ft and a maximum range of 750 nautical miles (1390 km) with optional extended-range tanks. Chances are you'll need a pitstop well before your aircraft will.

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk (airliners.net)

My favorite iPod accessory yet

The essence of iPodness is that you get to carry weeks of music in the tiniest package possible. That's why it's funny to see the mad rush of companies trying to outdo each other by releasing iPod docks that are anything but Nano in stature.

The Specktone dock is notable because it steals styling cues from 1960s hi-fi and toaster ovens. It's available in Gothic black, pea green, and refrigerator white for a not-so-cheap $149. The amplifier offers "analog" audio reproduction that promises to be fully compatible with human ears (which are also analog, after all). I can't wait for the version with a Digital Brain Plug.

Here are the Speckifications: 28-watts, wood construction and a single volume knob. One last important note: it's incompatible with first, second or third generation iPods like the one I have. It figures.

Specktone and other Speck products

Hunting for the ultimate retro sneakers

The time has come, dear reader, to ask for help on my latest quest. I'm searching for a good pair of retro sneakers. Being a geek has distinct advantages in this case, because I get to blaze my own unique trail through the fashion world without having to wear Prada, Tiffany, or whatever one is supposed to stuff feet into this year.

I've already checked out a pair of Converse All Stars Chuck Taylor Hemp Slip-ons (too Granola),  some adidas Classic Basketball Shoes (too beige) along with a motley assortment of others. They're just not doing it for me, so I'm sending out a plea to Retro Thing readers everywhere: Do you have any good retrosneaker suggestions? Share them in the comments and perhaps we'll all end up with uberstylish feet.

Free online issues of Compute! magazine

Compute! was a fantastic computer hobbyist magazine published between 1979 through 1994. Its hallowed pages covered Atari, Apple, Commodore, Texas Instruments, Timex/Sinclair, and many other early personal computers.

It is getting difficult to find vintage copies, but the Classic Computer Magazine Archive features the text of hundreds of vintage articles from this magazine and others. You won't find every issue online, but Kevin Savetz just contacted us to point out that the full text of 21 more issues is now online, including the Fall 1979 premiere.

The only downfall of the archive is that it doesn't include pictures or classic ads (and lusting after ludicriously high-tech gear was half the fun). What's immediately evident is the scope and relative complexity of the articles: "PET Cassette Format Revisited", "Atari Video Graphics And The New GTIA" and page-turners like "Recursive BASIC Subroutines." Definitely worth retrosurfing!

Index of Compute! articles

Return of the Rabbit

The VW Rabbit was the original North American version of the Golf. Over 24 million of these little hatchbacks have been built so far, with no end in sight. Incidentally, VW became the first European manufacturer to produce a vehicle in the USA when they moved Rabbit production to the States in 1978. The Rabbit moniker eventually disappeared and VW's little car has been known as the Golf worldwide for the past couple of decades.

All of that changed in April when VW of America announced the return of the Rabbit brand. This version of the fifth generation Golf features a 2.5L 150 HP 5-cylinder gasoline engine and is available in either 2 or 4-door versions. You can even get a 6-speed tiptronic transmission, if that's your thing. Unlike the incredibly affordable Rabbits of yesteryear, the modern car starts at a not so modest $14,990.

Volkswagen Rabbit Springs into New York - Just in Time for Easter
The official Rabbit product page

A classic Gretsch guitar... with leather trim?!

There have been plenty of vintage synths on Retro Thing, but this is the first guitar. It's also the first instrument I've ever seen with decorative leather trim (installed with furniture tacks, no less) that just screams "Country Twang." Heck, this little baby can probably yodel, too.

"With the real "He-Man" western good looks of the original Gretsch solid body models of the mid 1950's, we proudly present the return of the classic G6130 Roundup. Features include an arched maple top with 'G' brand on the upper bout, chambered mahogany body with western leather trim (held in with real brass furniture tacks!), dual DynaSonic™ single-coil pickups, and gold-plated Bigsby® B3GBVN vibrato tailpiece."

Now if y'all excuse me, I'm off to buy me a pickup truck.

Gretsch G610 Roundup with Western Leather Trim (Electric Guitar Review)

A shipment of "brand new" instant cameras from the 1980s

The Polaroid Impulse was introduced in 1988, which makes it old enough to drink in most civilized countries. Thanks to a top secret accident involving a time capsule and a few cases of vegetable shortening, Lomography has unearthed a few hundred "pristine, brand new" deadstock units. Cutting-edge features include a pop-up flash and integrated closeup lens. It accepts readily available Polaroid 600 instant film packs.

The angular shape reminds me of an old Chrysler K-Car and I'm strangely drawn to the gray/black color scheme with the red accent stripe. In all honesty, I'm not sure what would entice you to shell out $40 for one of these old cams when a brand new and much curvier Polaroid One sells for slightly less. Besides, chances are pretty good that you can pick up a slightly battered version for a buck or two at a local thrift shop.

1988 Polaroid Impulse instant camera (via fototiller)
Related Posts: From Sunglasses To Cameras and The Polaroid Pinhole