HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

When automobiles had class

Written March 2nd, 2015 by Hasso Hering
Comfort and style as seen on a Jacksonville street last month.

Comfort and style as seen on a Jacksonville street last month.

Here’s a question that nobody’s asking: What was wrong with the shape of cars in the 1930s that they don’t make them like that anymore? For convenience and style, it’s hard to beat this 1936 Chrysler. Or so you would think.

Yes, of course, today’s cars are infinitely more advanced. They hardly break down any more and they almost drive themselves. (Pretty soon you’ll be able to drop the “almost” from that sentence.)

But getting in and out of the low-slung sedans or coupes now in use? That’s not so easy. It requires major contortions. And it gets harder the older you get. By contrast, to step into a beauty like this 79-year-old Chrysler, all you had to do was to open the door and sit down.

Looking good from the rear ...

Looking good from the rear …

As for the trunk, once you got it open there was little chance you would slam your head into the lid when getting something out or putting something in. The cars were narrower than today, which accounts for the slim traffic lanes on bridges built during that era. On the other hand, what’s wrong with togetherness?

The automobiles from those years look top-heavy, so you probably had to be careful in the turns. But again, what’s wrong with being careful or slowing down?

So what would be interesting and fun, it seems to me, is to build cars with 21st century technology and safety gear but a shape like that of long ago. If we had those, men might even be able once again to wear fedoras while sitting behind the wheel. (hh)





2 responses to “When automobiles had class”

  1. Shawn Dawson says:

    I agree with you on the beauty of older cars. Thank goodness for old car clubs where enthusiasts preserve and drive these beauties.

    I expect it comes down to a few items. Manufacturing of the older cars was more labor intensive I expect. Also aerodynamics and wind resistance, for better mileage informs the build of current cars.

    Plymouth did put out the Prowler from 1997 to 2002, which I think is a throwback of a beauty. A roadster more than a sedan, but still it was done with modern manufacturing.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Prowler

  2. HowlingCicada says:

    Thanks, very interesting. You pushed more buttons than I have time to respond to.

    “””The cars were narrower than today, which accounts for the slim traffic lanes on bridges built during that era.””” That explains the Van Buren Bridge now being one way, I guess. Also, the (legally) unbikeable and unwalkable Columbia River bridge at Hood River. For better or worse, we now expect to accommodate people of every size, contributing to the vicious circle of obesity -> car dependence -> further obesity.

 

 
HH Today: A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley
Albany Albany City Council Albany council Albany downtown Albany housing Albany parks Albany Planning Commission Albany police Albany Post Office Albany Public Works Albany riverfront Albany Station Albany streets Albany traffic Albany urban renewal Amtrak apartments ARA Benton County bicycling bike lanes Bowman Park Bryant Park CARA climate change COVID-19 Cox Creek Cox Creek path Crocker Lane cumberland church cycling Dave Clark Path DEQ downtown Albany Edgewater Village Ellsworth Street bridge Highway 20 homeless housing Interstate 5 land use Linn County Millersburg Monteith Riverpark North Albany North Albany Road ODOT Oregon legislature Pacific Boulevard Pacific Power Portland & Western Queen Avenue Railroads Republic Services Riverside Drive Santiam Canal Scott Lepman Talking Water Gardens Tom Cordier Union Pacific urban renewal Water Avenue Waterfront Project Waverly Lake Willamette River


Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved. Hasso Hering.
Website Serviced by Santiam Communications
Hasso Hering