Although I’ve never been an old car aficionado, I do enjoy seeing some of those great automobiles from the days of stick shifts and cheap gasoline. So, when the annual “Cars on State” event was held on Saturday, I headed downtown. Classics like Chevys and Thunderbirds from the 50s are great because I remember seeing them when I was a kid, and Hudsons, Packards and older models always seem to evoke scenes from old movies.
The thing about old cars is that they don’t just look different, they also differ in ways that speak to changes in times and technology. Some of those old models, like the Hudson Hornet shown above, are enormous. Leg room was never a problem. Nor was the price of gasoline. The turning radius, on the other hand, might have presented a challenge. The size of the old steering wheels is another eye opener. In the days before power steering you needed strong biceps and a lot of torque to safely steer one of those metal giants through traffic.
Another big difference is that when you open the hood you see the engine! Have you looked under the hood of a new car? The first car that I drove was a 1960 Ford Falcon with a straight-6 engine. You could practically climb in and walk around the engine. If you’re curious you can see a photo of that type of engine on Flickr.
It was a great day for taking pictures. The weather was nice, the sun was out, many of the cars were brightly colored, and they were all a tribute to Turtle Wax! So, sit back, relax, and take a virtual walk down auto memory lane.