It's not a performance thing, they just look cool. I love my 64 BMW %50 too and that thing is painfully slow. It makes 24hp at 5600 RPM! It actually slows down going up hill with only me on it but at the same time I can hold it at 80 all day on the highway, that is as long as I don't have to go up hill!

I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!