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The American People and Their Automobiles Tom T  |
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 Not long ago I was invited to MC The Centennial Circle of Cars, an event sponsored by the AAA of Western and Central NY. To prepare for the event, one hundred cars were placed around the circle in Niagara Square in Buffalo. This may not sound like an astounding feat, until you consider the fact that these cars represented one from every year of the twentieth century ... from1900 to the year 2000! And they had to be of show quality! My hat's off to Jim Sandoro, the founder and curator of the Buffalo Transportation and Automotive Museum and owner of Buffalo Motorcar, and Wally Smith,VP of the AAA of Western and Central NY. Guys ... well done!!
This project started awhile back when Jim Sandoro spouted off, "Somebody should have a car show that would showcase one car from every year of the twentieth century. Boy, that would be an achievement! To my knowledge, nobody has ever done it!" What happened next? Someone challenged him to do it. The rest is history. I want to share with you my experience at the show.
The cars were incredible and the presentations outstanding. As I walked up to an immaculate 1947 Cadillac Touring Convertible, I noticed that the gentlemen inside the car were in vintage dress ... vests and apple caps set the stage. One of them recognized me as the "TV Mechanic" and began quizzing me on automotive technology of the 40's. Suffice to say, I learned a lot! The 1940's car expert proceeded to escort me to his other Cadillac (a 1945 convertible), which was also part of the show, in which two finely dressed elderly ladies were seated. They were laughing and having a grand old time. Rolling down the window, the woman in the driver's seat commented, "Tom, what are you doing standing out there in the rain with no coat on?" She proceeded to open the door and invite me in. The interior was breathtaking ... leather interior, gauges that shined like jewels, mirror-like chrome framing the convertible top ... people knew how to live in the 40's! It was like driving around in your living room! My lovely hostesses told me stories about life in the 40's, and the role that the automobile played in the romantic lifestyles they described ... the proms, the weddings, the car races, and on and on and on ...
Next, I found myself peering under the hood of a Stanley Steamer from the 1920's. I asked the owner, "Where are the sparkplugs?!" He explained how the car was powered by a steam engine. There were no spark plugs or gas tank, just hot water! He embellished on the simplicity of life during that era. And what a magnificent vehicle the Stanley Steamer was! Plush and comfortable, solid and quiet. There was no engine noise, just the sound of steam exhausting ...Whishhhhhhhhhh ... then motion. Close your eyes and imagine driving to your picnic destination. Spread out the picnic blanket, secure it with a basket full of delightful delicacies, build a small fire and steam the lobster! Wow! I got lost in the dream for just a moment.
As I think back on the day, my most distinct memory is the awareness of just how much the design of the automobile reflects the lifestyles and culture of the people who built it. In the early part of the century, the simplicity of life was embodied in the unadorned and clean, modest designs of the automobile. By 1909 however, people had applied their imaginations to the automobile and plush velvet and lots of ornate brass reigned as a status symbol. The car grew in size and comfort; style became the focus. In the 20's, as the production increased with a stimulated economy, and the pace of the culture increased, the automobile reflected the change. Body designs got heavier (more steel) and longer, engines got larger and more powerful, and the interiors as well as the exteriors were cloaked in ornate designs. Carmakers put plaques on the dashboards guaranteeing that the car would exceed over 100 mph. The automobile was keeping pace with the American lifestyle. In the 30's, production may have been down, but the spirit of the 20's still thrived. However, the ornate designs gradually diminished during this decade.
In the late forties and early fifties car bodies got sleeker, rounder, and took on fins. America had entered into the "space age," and their automobiles reflected it! Our culture was focused on power ... political, technological ... we were going to be first in the race. The cars began to get less ornate and more practical, with an emphasis on internal engineering and design to beat the competition. The sixties came and went with more of the same. Then the seventies...
The cars of the seventies were downsized and economized. America was becoming more mature, with an increased sense of responsibility to limit consumption and clean up the environment. In some aspects, we returned to the simpler days. And so it was in the seventies. The eighties brought more of the same. That is, until the carmakers figured out how to play the emission game and politicians figured out how to keep oil flowing and pricing reasonable. With lower emissions without compromising power, lower gas prices and increased gas production, the vehicle size started to inflate again.
We'll call the 90's and beyond "The Year of the Truck." Once again, carmakers are making vehicles larger and more powerful. The ornate exterior and interior of the early part of the century is gone. Also gone are the unique characteristics of external body design, for example, the use of chrome, which is diminishing more and more every year. The tradeoff is in technology. Microprocessors, wiring, sensors, global systems, and PCs are dominating the scene today. But then again, that's where American culture is found ... enveloped in technology.
As you can see, I had a history lesson as well as a much anticipated automotive experience.
'Til next time ... Keep Rollin'
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 With over 27 years in the automotive industry and nearly a decade in automotive talk radio, Tom Torbjornsen makes learning about cars easy with his personal manner, his expert advice, and his high energy and entertaining style. Tom has the unique gift of simplifying the complex and tearing down the technical, meeting you at your level of understanding. You will be encouraged as you gain the confidence to deal with problems related to the second most expensive purchase you will make in a lifetime your automobile.
Click Here to visit the America's Car Show website
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