An adolescent car buff
by Mike Ruby
March 27, 2023

As a youth, I was fascinated with cars. I could name the make, model, and year of nearly every American car made from about 1950 through the late 1960s. I eagerly looked forward to each fall when the new models were revealed. That was like March Madness to me.

In our town, there were several small independent dealerships: Ford, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler, and Dodge. All were within a short bike ride from my house, so I made the rounds every fall to view the latest gleaming beauties in the showroom. I seldom touched, but if a window was rolled down, or the door was open, I’d peek inside and savor the new car smell, hoping my drool did not mess up the upholstery.

Planned obsolescence was the marketing strategy for the car companies. Their goal was to make significant body style changes each year to convince the American public they needed the latest that Detroit had to offer.

Window sticker prices for these magnificent hunks of metal were unfathomable compared to my meager paper route and lawn mowing income. I was always on the lookout to spot new cars cruising around town or parked in the driveways on my paper route.

I can still recall many of our neighbor’s new cars. The owner of the Chevy dealership lived on our block, so there was always a gleaming new car sitting in his driveway. Two families, living on opposite ends of the same block, bought identical cars: a 1959 blue and white 2 door Ford. Across the street was a 1958 Oldsmobile with stunning chrome. Our 1956 Olds looked shabby compared to that.

Another neighbor drove a new 1956 navy blue Cadillac and two years later, a 1958 white Thunderbird was purchased for the wife. I nearly hyperventilated. Friends in the next block upgraded from a 1948 Chevy to a 1956 black and yellow Chevy Bel Air. Awesome!

I’d fantasize that someday there would be a glorious new car sitting in our driveway, but it never happened. I begged Dad to splurge, just once, but he repeatedly reminded me, “used cars are a better deal; let the other guy pay for depreciation.” Dad’s common sense conflicted with my adolescent logic.

Most of these models can be found for sale online today. I wonder what Dad would say about the exorbitant prices they are bringing.

What memories do you have of a special car in your life?

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