Many of you know that I'm a die-hard traditionalist. I like the older Smith & Wessons, other classic firearms, older and more civil and conservative politics...and the older cars.
I grew up in the 1950s, which many consider to be the "golden age" of Detroit iron. It may be a nostalgia thing, but consider what well-preserved 1940s, 1950s and 1960s automobiles are bringing at the car auctions today. My family had a 1955 Chevrolet, and I wish I had taken my mother's offer to sell it to me when I was older. I was fortunate enough to own a 1960 Corvair, and a 1965 Corvette roadster. I wish I still had them today. The 1950s, in particular, were special years for Detroit. The wrap-around windshield and tail fins came into being, and it was easy to distinguish one marque from another. There were boulevard battleships and there were little ones, but each was distinctive in its own way.
I grant you that cars are probably safer today, have better fuel economy, and more horsepower. But to me, they pretty much all look alike - indistinguishable in a kind of grey neverland where there's no style, and nothing to get all that excited about with the exception of a few sports and muscle cars.
It would be my fondest dream to own a really cherry 1957 Chevy Bel Air hardtop or convertible. That car probably got more pleasure per mile than any before or since.
The old cars were instantly identifiable. As just one example, take a look at this - I know most of you over 50 will immediately know what it is. That's not usually possible today.
Were those old cars elegant or ostentatious? Probably both. And I do miss them. Sigh.
John
I grew up in the 1950s, which many consider to be the "golden age" of Detroit iron. It may be a nostalgia thing, but consider what well-preserved 1940s, 1950s and 1960s automobiles are bringing at the car auctions today. My family had a 1955 Chevrolet, and I wish I had taken my mother's offer to sell it to me when I was older. I was fortunate enough to own a 1960 Corvair, and a 1965 Corvette roadster. I wish I still had them today. The 1950s, in particular, were special years for Detroit. The wrap-around windshield and tail fins came into being, and it was easy to distinguish one marque from another. There were boulevard battleships and there were little ones, but each was distinctive in its own way.
I grant you that cars are probably safer today, have better fuel economy, and more horsepower. But to me, they pretty much all look alike - indistinguishable in a kind of grey neverland where there's no style, and nothing to get all that excited about with the exception of a few sports and muscle cars.
It would be my fondest dream to own a really cherry 1957 Chevy Bel Air hardtop or convertible. That car probably got more pleasure per mile than any before or since.
The old cars were instantly identifiable. As just one example, take a look at this - I know most of you over 50 will immediately know what it is. That's not usually possible today.
Were those old cars elegant or ostentatious? Probably both. And I do miss them. Sigh.
John
We had a 63 red short bed 3 on the tree 
