My husband, Dave, remembers every car they owned while he was growing up. He can still hear his dad telling him jokingly that the car sellers would say, “You can get any color car you want, as long as it’s black.” Apparently, black cars were cheaper back in the day, whereas now you have to pay extra to get a black car.
Dave loved the chrome dashboards that gleamed and drew your focus, unlike modern cars where most of what we see is plastic and fiberglass. Cars were basic, whereas now they are complicated – like many other things. He loved the adjustable vents that brought in a flood of fresh air, as opposed to having to adjust the air flow with the fan nowadays. It was a little magical for him as a child. Of course, the additions of heated seats, defrosters, and cd players, which make rides with children a little easier, are pretty nice.
The Pontiac station wagon they owned (see everyone owned a station wagon, lol) was blue and nice, with a certain almost “dusty, warmed plastic” smell. He remembers that smell. He says it was different than modern cars' smells. (Maybe different materials or manufacturing processes?) It had a small, fold-down section next to the door in the middle row of seats, so people could climb into the back, then fold it up again for a larger back for those sitting in the middle seat, or it could be left down and used as an arm rest.
Later, they got a Star Chief Executive that was the coolest car ever. Lots of fancy chrome strips on the sides. His mom was working at that point, so they could afford two cars. Mom got to use the “Star” and dad took the Mercury Meteor Station Wagon with its side chrome strips, cool chrome backend, and distended taillights. It had push controls to put it in gear.
One of his favorite cars was the car he learned to drive on. A Pontiac Catalina 400 engine – fast and smooth. It had a hard top, so when the windows were rolled down there was no center strip; it was all open. He raced a friend with it once on a quarter mile strip of (barely populated) road. He was in the left lane, so he had to watch for oncoming cars. His friend was driving a Plymouth Barracuda, and, of course, with that 400 engine, Dave left him in the dust (even though it was paved). His smile was quite agreeable while he told me that tale. (Didn’t/don’t we all pray that our children survive their teen years?!)
And then there’s the story about the car at the railroad station…but we’ll leave that for another time... I’m hoping our memory lane blogs get your memories flowing. We’re having fun going over the bits of the past that made us happy. Meander a little yourselves if you feel like it. And share comments!
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