Thursday, June 27, 2024
My, oh my, how automobiles have changed since I got my first driver’s license some 50-plus years ago. I’m not sure young people today really understand or appreciate the role a vehicle played in society back then. Automobiles were special: they were designed for appearance and for power instead of fuel mileage. Each model was iconic in its own way. People connected to their car, and it helped to formulate their identity.
Nowadays, new car models roll out, and nobody even knows it has happened. But, back in the day, the annual ritual of unleashing the new model cars was something people looked forward to. There was a great deal of curiosity about what the new models would look like and what exciting new features they would have. Many automobile dealerships would rent huge search lights and place them in front of their dealership to draw attention, hoping to lure prospective buyers in for a glance. What the new cars would look like was kept a secret until the unveiling day, driving thousands insane with curiosity. Many people would not consider buying a new car in late summer for fear that one of the new cars introduced in the fall would be so spectacular they would want to change their mind as to which car to purchase. The new cars and what they looked like were a common topic of conversation around the water fountain at work, the dinner table, and a huge part of our society. They each had their own style and appearance and were distinctively different from other cars on the road.
Nowadays, cars look so much alike because emission standards, fuel consumption standards and safety standards have compelled engineers to use similar design styles. Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s no one would confuse an Oldsmobile Cutlass with a Chevy Impala, nor a Dodge Charger with a Pontiac Tempest. They each had their own special look, design, and appeal. Often the car manufacturers designed cars to project a certain image for the buyer and the image was magnified in their advertising. It was your chance to “see the USA in a Chevrolet.” People loved it.
My favorite car as a young teenager was the Buick Riveria. The Riveria was a huge vehicle with a unique grill and tapered back side. It was powerful, had a spacious and luxurious interior, and had an aura of individuality. It was not quite as classy as a Cadilac or a Lincoln, but it was special — like something a movie star or a sports figure would drive. It was the epitome of coolness.
This past January, I found myself needing to purchase a car. I wanted something comfortable, efficient, trustworthy and reliable. I settled on a white-colored SUV. Now some six months later, I have been pleased with how the car drives, operates and functions. It has gotten me to work without fail, has room for passengers, and there has not been a single mechanical problem. So, what is the problem? There is no pride in ownership: there is no joy or exhilaration in driving the car. It is simply utilitarian.
Recently, I went to the grocery store and when I completed my shopping and returned to the lot, I became confused. There were four other white SUVs parked around my car, and I could not differentiate between those vehicles and determine which was mine. There was a Lexus, a Nissan, a Chevrolet and a Toyota, and in a quick glance they all looked the same. The outline was the same, they were all white, they all had a similar grill, and the rear of the cars were almost identical. I finally figured out which one was mine, but I drove away knowing cars were no longer a way to express individual tastes and personalities. They were simply a way to get to work, the bank, and to drop the kids off at school. The images of an Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible, a Mercury Cougar, or a Plymouth Roadrunner were for days gone by, and for auto shows. The American public has gone from owning units of individual expression, to personal buses that provide transportation. Nowadays cars are better made and more reliable, but I miss the thrill of individual expression. Those were the good old days!
Thought for the day: Take care of your car in the garage, and it will take care of you on the road.
Until next time…I will keep ridin’ the storm out!
