A History Of Classic American Cars Told In Four Rides
By: BY AMUJO OLASOJI
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A History Of Classic American Cars Told In Four Rides
Classic cars are an essential part of the American car culture; these are the iconic cars that influenced the Car industry we know today.
1-Paul-Duvalls-1927-Ford-Model-T-Coupe-Flat-T-Via-Pinterest1
Classic cars are an essential part of American Car culture; these are the iconic cars that have brought history, beauty, and a sense of being unforgettable to the scene.
Classic cars are older cars with enough historical background, and this makes them sufficiently interesting to be collectible or worth preserving and restoring. Some organizations maintain that "classic cars" are only those produced between 1915-1948, but classic cars can be historical cars, cars that were iconic when they came out but were produced 20 or more years ago.
Cars and how they are manufactured have changed a lot in the last few decades. It feels like there is always something missing that makes classic cars better.
Here are some of the reasons why Classic cars are better than the newer ones:
- Manual transmission: Manual transmission is an experience that is lost with many newer cars. This transmission is a form of expression when driving but to get a car with a manual transmission, you have to get second and third generations of various car models in most cases.
- Durability: Old or classic cars used to last for years and generations because of how sturdy they were built, unlike newer cars with much lower durability; they often break down before or by the end of their warranty.
- Simpler maintenance: You could fix a classic car yourself without spending so much; also, the technology used to make old cars is the technology that could be easily maneuvered. Unlike newer cars, whose technology is sometimes at NASA level, maintaining and servicing these cars would cost a fortune.
Buying or owning a classic car is like preserving the incredible history of the car and owning a vehicle that is easy to get around but still gives the same feel and speed that any new car can give. We'll now look at perhaps the most iconic American classic cars; they were absolutely the best in their time.
Cadillac Eldorado
via Mecum
The Eldorado was a luxury car produced and marketed by the American automobile brand Cadillac. The car spanned over 12 generations from 1952 - 2002. With its rear-wheel-drive that went from 1953-1966 to front-wheel wheel drive that went from 1967- 2002, it was a spectacular vehicle during its reign.
The most expensive Cadillac Eldorado is the Eldorado Biarritz. It was a large and heavy car with a unique exterior and a one-of-a-kind interior. This car was famous for its "pillowy" interior that was heavily padded in leather. This model came in a 7-liter V8, unlike its previous models that came in an 8.2 liter.
The car went for about $10,000 when it was first marketed and many decades later made its mark as one of America's most iconic classic cars.
Ford Model T
Via Pinterest
This was an iconic American car produced by Ford Motor Company from 1908 to 1927. This vehicle was the first affordable car for the middle class, and it was the beginning of the commerical automobile era. With 15 million cars sold, the Ford Model T is a phenomenon in car culture, and it became one of the most sold cars of all time.
The Model T was the basis of the American culture of Hot rodding. The vehicle used a reverse-flow cylinder head, an inline 4-cylinder engine with its only fuel type being gasoline. It also went through various changes throughout the years, with the last one being in 1927, with the carburetor throttle rod being rerouted over the engine.
After more than a century, the Ford Model T is still an iconic act today and is one of the cars that has set the standard of what a classic car should be.
Chrysler Airflow
Via: Classic Driver
From 1934 - 1937, the Chrysler Airflow was being produced; although a commercial failure due to market acceptance, the Airflow is an iconic car that was beyond its time.
The Chrysler Airflow was a full-size car; it came in a 4 door sedan and a 2 door coupe. It was an incredible ride with a spacious interior and 122 hp.
The Chrysler Airflow was one of the first mass-produced aerodynamic cars that were manufactured at a time where people were not ready.
Today, aerodynamics technology for cars seems widely accepted, making the Airflow somewhat of an unsung hero.
Tucker 48
Via: Wikipedia
Also referred to as the Tucker Torpedo , this vehicle was produced in Chicago in 1948 and was conceived by automobile entrepreneur Preston Tucker . A group of talented car designers designed it, and this group included designers like Alex Tremulis. The sedan car came in a rear-engine, all-wheel drive, and a 4 wheel independent.
The Tucker 48 was so iconic, it inspired the 1988 film Tucker: The Man and His Dream, and it was a big car pioneer of the 1940s. The company would shut down due to bankruptcy, but 51 hand-built Tucker 48 cars had been produced at that time.
The Tucker 48 remains an iconic classic car and is considered a revolutionary technology and beauty beyond its time.
Classic cars are loved not only because of their history but also because the rides that are truly cherished and used are the ones with the character and soul.
Olasoji Amujo is focused on helping organizations drive GROWTH and create AWARENESS. He works with clients across various industries, ranging from automobile, digital to telecoms,
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When I was 10 or 11 years old spending summer holidays at my grandmother's cottage on Burlington Beach, (the thin strip of land at the far western point of Lake Ontario that separates Lake Ontario from Burlington (Hamilton) Bay), an elderly cousin from Chicago came to visit in his brand new Tucker Torpedo. I can still remember being fascinated by the centre headlight.
My father at that time owned a 1947 Chrysler Royal (a Canadian model) that still had what was known as an "airflow" design in its rear slope. But what fascinated me about that car was that the lighting of the speedometer changed colour when certain speeds were reached. It was green 0-30 mph, yellow from 31-50 mph and over 50 mph it turned red. This image is from the internet - my father's car was light green.
My Dad gifted my Mom a new teal and cream 1955 Chevy Bel Aire when I was born. I grew up in that car until Daddy replaced it with her black 1965 Chevy Impala SS. She drove both 10 years. Papa was a Chevy Man...
For 10 years and it didn't turn into rust? I'll bet she didn't put that much mileage on them to last that long.
Then you would be dead wrong on both counts. The climate in Western Oklahoma is dry and hot. Canada's is... NOT!
I should point out that by the mid-60s my dad was trading his own personal car almost every year. In 1971 he bought my Mom a new Oldsmobile for Christmas, which she made him return to the dealership and get her 65 Impala back. She loved that car. Later on she drove only Cadillacs which she traded every two years. Mom is now older than you, lives alone in her home and still drives herself everywhere. "Ninety is the new seventy"...
Good for her!!!
You're right about the rust - cars rust in Ontario pretty fast but I wasn't aware of the totally different climate conditions in OK.
From 1959 until he passed away my dad owned and drove only Cadillacs starting with a 1960 Coupe de Ville which he chose instead of a Mark IX Jaguar, much to my chagrin.
Where was it used? Maybe the fact that I knew about cars rusting in Ontario is because for a long time they salted the roads in winter, but eventually they just used sand.
When my dad passed away I inherited the Cadillac he had at the time, but I didn't like it, and traded it in on a Peugeot 604, which was known as the Cadillac of France.
While there are exceptions, here's a general rule about the American climate. I think of the U.S. (mainland) as being divided into two parts by the Mississippi River system.
-East of the Mississippi River the climate is generally moister, and can be humid in warmer seasons.
-West of the Mississippi River the climate is much drier.
Of all the autos produced in that time period, the Packard line of autos were among my favorites.
The 1939 Packard Classic Coup.
OMG!!! You've touched on my dream when I turned 16 and got my regular driver's licence which would enable me to own a car. Parked at the gas station around the corner from our home was a 1937 Packard limousine in perfect condition, hardly driven, and its black finish shone with brilliance. (internet photo but exactly what I saw)
It was love at first sight. It was for sale for $600 and I had the money. Little things like annual insurance and maintenance didn't even enter my brain, but my father was so concerned he then bought a second hand 1950 Ford Custom Coach to be shared by my brother and me. (internet photo but exactly, even to the colour, of what we had)
He gave it to us to prevent me from buying the limo, and, besides, since there were now too many drivers wanting time with a car in the family, to keep his 1952 Hudson Hornet for himself - a car whose looks predated all the cars you see today. (internet photo, but the same colour as my father's car)
The car I grew up with, as a young child, was a Ford Tudor. Apparently it was intended to compete with Packard. It was burgundy like this one but ours never shined like that.
My father also had a Chevrolet truck. Back then trucks were only work vehicles. Ours was a lighter green and didn't have the windshield visor. The thing I remember most about that truck was the heater was always on. I don't remember if the controls were broken or if the controls were bypassed to avoid overheating.
My dad's business had a truck as well, and although I can't remember the make or year, it looked something like this.
I went from a VW to a 1968 Roadrunner, this looks like mine I can't find any pictures of mine. gold color, 440 4 speed. Had 8 track stereo, CB, scanner and Fuzzbuster, tac and gages, everything I wanted except a pistol grip shifter . I wrecked it and bought a Charger.
I intend to do an article on the Charger next classic car article. What is a full description of yours. I assume your avatar is a photo of it.
That is my Charger. 1968 Originally 383 HP with factory air conditioning and automatic on floor. I don't know how many people had it before me. At one time it was quarter mile racer and I found some things were cut for that but thankfully they didn't cut it too bad and all that was fixed.
Now has 440 6 pack and aftermarket AC that works about half, auto on floor with pistol grip shifter (aftermarket) I have had it about 15 years now. Drove around town last week. Going to get painted and some body work soon.
It is the second 68 Charger I have owned. The first one was an R/T Charger which is now way more valuable than a regular one.
This one is for you, Buzz the 1934 Packard Twelve considered to be one of the most beautiful Packards ever built with a story and photos worth reading and seeing.
Thanks for that excellent link. IMO the Packard was the American Rolls Royce, screw the Cadillac. Note from the article you linked that Packard put that tire on the back trunk many years before Lincoln Continental came up with it.
This is a realm that few autos will ever reach. The 1941 Packard Gable 1
These are two that match up with the Packard
1939 Delahaye 165 Figoni et Falaschi Cabriolet 60744 & 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Van Vooren Cabriolet 57808
Nah, those two are too sleek for me, but if you ever wanted to stop traffic and have the pedestrians stop to stare with their mouths open you'd drive that gorgeous 1941 Packard Gable 1 down the street.
The red one looks like something Elon Musk would buy and drive it up to the Moon or sumpthin'!
LOL
Although I thought this was a great article, had 5 votes up and 17 comments, it was wiped off the page within a day, so I'll retell a story about the Jaguar and the Cadillac so it can die like all the other articles I posted yesterday.
During the summer of 1959, although I was then going through law school, I was working in my father's factory. He had the Jaguar dealer bring a new 1959 Jaguar Mark IX around for a test drive (all images are from the internet).
.
.
I thought it was the most beautiful sedan I'd ever seen in my life (including that Packard limo). So I got into the back seat and sank into the soft glove leather that smelled so fantastic and looked at the polished solid burled walnut airplane-type drop down tables attached to the backs of the front seats...
...and then towards the matching dashboard, (the wood just like in a Rolls Royce)
...and realized that this wasn't a car for the neuveau rich, not even for the OLD rich, this was a car for ROYALTY. My God how I wanted my father to buy that car.
This from the internet...
But he didn't like it. Unfortunately my father wasn't royalty, he was just plain neuveau rich with neuveau rich tastes, and instead he bought a 1960 Cadillac Coupe de Ville that looked exactly like this, even the colour.
It was so damn long you needed TWO parking spaces to park it. My heart was broken.
Well, it means fuck all that I posted this because nobody's going to see it anyway.
Ah, the grand American Lead Sled.
You mean that beige Cadillac?
Yes, the beige Cadillac.
Just checked-- 55 comments so far.
Maybe tomorrow a few more people will notice the seed and keep it on the front page.
Both TRUMP and BIDEN saw this article and for the first time agreed on something, that it was the best article on classic cars that they had seen today.
(I wonder if that might get some of the political hacks here curious.)
You sure do complain a lot.
Everyone here who seeds a lot of articles has some that don't get comments.
off the top of my head I would say that everyone here is not as interested in classic cars as you are.
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Thank you JR, you did what I was trying to get happen - you brought the article back to the Front (Home) Page. Last night I went to sleep with 4 articles on the Page, and this morning I woke (a word I will only use in its proper meaning) up to find them all wiped out, and although the quiz article for a quiz I closed on Friday was not expected to be there that long, the other three were really good articles, but unfortunately their titles did not contain the words "Trump" or "Biden".
This is and is going to continue to be the wildest presidential election year at least since the start of the 20th century. We have a candidate who's the most unfit person to ever run for president in the United States. If you lived here instead of on the other side of the world maybe you would look at it the same way some of us do.
As far as the "front page" goes, maybe it should be expanded to give opportunity for more articles to be on it.
Of the 8 you listed, only 3 of them had no comments other than your own. Are you trying to mislead me?
lol. i guess i should said "one or two comments" other than mine.
whats the difference between one or two and zero ?
The fact that I'm on the other side of the world doesn't mean I'm not concerned about what is happening in the USA. My son and his family (my only grandchildren) live in Milwaukee and I worry about them every day.
I'm going to suggest that to Perrie, and also to require that a front page article must remain on the front page for a minimum of 48 hours. I was really pissed to see mine wiped off overnight.
Could make the difference between life and death for an article.
not really. plenty of articles get two or three comments and still "die".
Well, what pissed me off this time is when I see my articles getting wiped away within 8 hours, like one I posted on the Books group. Problem with that is that hardly anyone even gets to SEE them.
And I think there may be another problem. People on most social media sites-- heck- most people in the world (!) have limited interests. And many are only interested in what the media-- or what politicians-- or their clergypersons-- tell them to be interested in.
And a lot is political arguing (I deliberately said "arguing", not "discussion"-- because that's mostly what it is.).
In fact, if I were to meet most of the people (that are active on these social media sites) in person --in the "real world"-- I would find them extremely boring-- or in some cases too obnoxious-- for me to interact with. So I wouldn't interact with them.!
In fact, if I were to meet most of the people (that are active on these social media sites) in person --in the "real world"-- I would find them extremely boring-- or in some cases too obnoxious-- for me to interact with. So I wouldn't interact with them.!
Here's what I'd like to say to many of them:
Can I vote your first comment up more than once?
LOL. Well, I do have some good friends on NT and if I were ever to go back to the other side of the world I wouldn't mind spending time with them, if they came to Toronto. I haven't been to the USA for more than 15 years and personally, I'd rather not go back again - my son can bring his family to see me.
@ MM
Sorry, I really can't agree with you about that, other than John may well have a negative obsession about Trump that is so compelling that he has to let it loose every day.
Well if it were up to me, you could!
If I were in charge you could!
You really should be able to do that.
Actually, I just thought of this. Maybe we should have TWO Front (Home) Pages, one for American political matters and one for everything else.
Maybe not.
If you want more attention to an article, in addition to making it political, its useful to say something really nasty about one of the candidates-- or better yet combine that with getting into a rather juvenile (But also nasty) argument with someone else here./
(But of course be careful to just "Tote the line"-- nasty but just slowly creep up to the line of violating the COC-- but don't cross it!
(Excellence is sleazy behaviour is a skill-- but one that may take time to perfect!.
)
LOL Obviously it didn't. A number of years ago I was sitting on one of the front seats of a bus here in China that faces inwards, and a girl got on the crowded bus and stood in front of me. She was wearing a black T-shirt that in big white English said:
FUCK YOU
FUCK ME
FUCK EVERYBODY
As soon as I saw it, my mouth fell open, she saw me do that and quickly tried to cover it with her arm not used to support herself with the loop from the ceiling, and moved farther into the bus as soon as she could.
You know what? I think I would like to find that T-shirt for sale sometime and wear it when I'm on NT on my computer, because I'm starting to feel that it's appropriate.
Buzz: I think of NT asa soprt of "general, all-purpose" site. Meaning people can post things about various topics. However on a site like this (and well as most social media sites today) it seems that all most people want to talk about is politics.
And for the most part not even insightful discussions-- rather just a constant stream comments attacking politicians of the opposite party...which often turn into juvenite personal attacks.
of course we already know this.
But I would like to point out is that there many, many sites dedicated to single interests-- for example vintage automobiles. Or a particular sport. And so on.
You just have to spend some time looking for them. (And you could find, and participate regularly, in a site that is entirely about vintage automobiles and also still come back here and interact with your friends.
Well, thanks for that advice, but I would rather not spread myself over a lot of different sites and have to go from one to the other - it's kind of hard to stay organized that way. Maybe I'm just too old now to divide my time here and there and everywhere. You know what KISS means - Keep it simple, stupid.
I've actually heard two slightly different versions of that:
1. Keep it simple sweetie
and
2. Keep it simple stupid
Well, things being what they are, its always nice to have a few bon mots available for any occasion!
Just on the basis of the way they look-- if I could own any of the cars pictured on this page it would be either of those two Packards. (Like the one you mentioned was parked near your house). Very traditional old world elegance. Showing very refined good taste.
The other would be the 1959 Jaguar Mark IX. OMG! But so "upper crust"-- to be driven only when cavorting with my fellow billionaires!) Only on occasions when its totally appropriate to be a bit of a snob.
Gorgeous car of course. To me, at least from the outside, it somewhat looks like it should be driven by a diplomat.
(Of course any of the three I've mentioned would fit right in on the estate of a British country gentleman)..
Well, as I said, Royalty.
LOL. My two dream cars - the Packard limo was my first new driver dream and the Jag was my next one. I think I'm going to add that gorgeous maroon Packard Gable that Kavika posted as a third dream.