Life with cars - Let's play find the Hudsons

51hornet

This is a fun thread I will keep adding pics I find here I Love pics of Hudsons in the day. Todays cars have no character the interior is just filled with plastic.

Cars back then represented dreams. Like when the space race started all the cars had rockets and fins. Everything was looking forward. "Todays Space Age Styling" now its just squared off block styling. Nothing to get excited about.

Thats why my old Hudsons are so much fun for me. They take me back to the simpler times when pride in ownership meant something. When I was a kid we bought GM only, we were fiercely pro GM when it was new it was GM. Now I buy anything that catches my eye that GM, Ford, Chrysler stuff means nothing. But boy did it ever back then. I had my Buick and I would argue seven ways to Sunday it was better than a stinking Chrysler or Ford. And AMC well that was like saying you loved junk in our house. Now it means nothing they are all alike.

Dave53-7C

I think the site that started this tread is is one of the most interesting I've found lately. The pictures are of life, showing cars, people and things of the day.True, vehicles today use tons of plastic. I wonder how much oil could be saved if manufacturers cut back on plastic content. It never ceases to amaze me how screwed up manufacturers have become. Not just with the use of cheap materials, but cheap design and badge engineering. Case in point is your Riviera. Back then, GM's plan was to snag you with a Chevy. As you became older and hopefully better situated, you moved through the ranks of Pontiac, Olds, Buick and finally Cadillac. Ford did have a better idea back in the day when Mercury cars had a distinctly different style. At one time, styling the Mercs to look like Lincolns really boosted sales. Time was when people could tell the make of a car a block away. Now, you have to be behind or next to a car to determine what make it is. So, what incentive is there to move throught the ranks when a Cadillac looks like a Chevy and Mercs have the same body as Fords. It went beyond styling to some extent. With GM cars, each division's cars drove and sounded as different as they looked since each division made its own engine. Although Ford products shared parts like crazy, they too looked and drove differently. In the 70's, Lincoln flooded the market with designer models that sucked the buyers in. When I was young, AMC cars were perceived as being the favorite of a certain ethnic group that was stereotyped as being cheap. Laughing

You're right about the cars of the 50's. The car designs reflected the interest in jet planes, outer space and the future. Fins, rockets, jet ports and lavish shapes were the in thing. I think the golden age of automobiles has come to and end. As time passes, vehicles will be perceived as nothing more than a utilitarian mode of transportation. Sad

If the car makers want to repeat past glories, they need to look to back to rediscover design and the marketing ploys that attracted buyers. Although it can be argued that doing so won't work today, human nature has not changed to an extent that people are not motivated to purchase based upon style, slick marketing and the promise of a lifestyle.

Finally, it can be argued that the flood of imports has ruined the market for domestics. Although competition is good, we need to set a quota system whereas we'll buy as many vehicles from foreign concerns as they buy from us. In essence, if you want to sell here, you need to buy here too. Oh, and I don't buy into the BS about foreign manufacturers boosting our economy by providing jobs, especially since the big money (profits) are leaving our countries.

51hornet

I agree a little more regulation could not hurt. As you know the proponents of unfettered free market economy are always fat business people who have their money offshore. We all know that North American manufacturing has just about been gutted. So yes do not flood our markets with cheap crap. I lament the fact that the average Joe does not understand that buying cheap from big box kills your middle class but of course I understand most cannot afford anything else. And the collapse of the economy is another indication that big business is not looking out for you.

When you look at your gov and it is spouting zero regulation and free market BS and you are looking at 11.8 Trillion dollars of debt in the US you begin to realize they have not been working in your best interest.

And you are right cars can be innovative, sexy and interesting and not be 100k if they spent more time on the design. Like I said when I bought my new car I tested all brands could not find a difference.

It the day I drove every car model known to man at Dad's shop and let me tell you they all drove and felt different. A Ford did not feel or drive like a GM or a Chrysler.

Cars are safer now more efficient in some ways in others not. But they got no soul. I do not look at a 2008 and go wow.....I mean I could not tell you what anyone is offering as I do not give a crap. I just love getting out in the Hudsons and driving along cruising and you see all the guys our age and they get that look when they see us drive by. Never get that when I drive my brand X.

Dave53-7C

Big business is looking out for itself, and not too well I might add. At one time, employees were loyal to the company and the company rewarded that. Now, business has the philosophy that everyone is expendable. I understand that we must all do what is necessary to survive, but at what and whose expense?

Yes, we have big problems here, but don't think they don't apply to Canada and the rest of the world. It's a trickle down effect that will eventually have a negative impact on economies throughout the world. If people aren't spending, their not buying from Canada or visiting there and spending money. Back in the 70's, I was amazed at the Canadian parts content in Ford products, a trend that continues to today. So, if Ford sales tank here, we won't need those parts from Canada. See the pattern? Sad

Oh, yeah, cars used to be sexy. Case in point are our Hudsons. They look sexy sitting still or blasting down the highway. Back in the day, you didn't need lots of money to have a cool car. Your could order a top of the line Chevy in a cool color, load it with options and enjoy.

Yes, cars were as distinctly different as each human being. For all practical purposes, vehicles today are so generic, they could be made by one manufacturer and badged as whatever brand one likes. You're a Mopar guy who likes a Ford...no problem. Just buy the Ford and put some Pentastars on it. Laughing

You are so right about cars being safer but lacking in soul. That's why I spent $$$ to doll up my 2008 SUV. I guess I miss the days when you could spend hours pouring over options lists, colors and upholstery choices to make your Detroit Iron exclusively yours. Today, collectors revel in finding cars with unique options and colors. Sad to say, but I just cannot see people 50 years from now restoring mini vans, SUV's and jelly bean shaped plastic cars.

As far as getting the looks and friendly gestures when driving, it happens regardless of what vehicle I'm driving. Laughing

51hornet

No way our economy is going down. Our politicians say the fundamentals are strong. They must be listening to McCain. LOL I am sure we are heading down as well. Car stuff been built up here is getting less and less each year. So not that big an effect on us anymore as they are offshoring to cheaper places like Central America.

But hey we still have the classics and that will keep me happy for years to come. Even if they are just parked in the garage with me looking at them.

Dave53-7C

McPain...

Quite frankly, people are tired of the rhetoric. The candidates can all talk the talk, but neither has proven they can walk the walk.

It's no longer about any single country, what happens with the major players effects the whole world to some extent. As far as your country is concerned, I always thought the government was level headed until I heard about how they have just about killed an electric car company...whose name escapes me at the moment. Recently, you've told me that your electric buses are being replaced by hybrids. And there you have it, politics and greed at work in Canada to rival ours. Speaking of hybrids, I read an article today that said it would take 8 years to realize gasoline saving on the average one. The small Lexus model would start paying back in 103 years! Shocked

Since I hear that Central America is growing huge Sugar Maple forests, you better be worried up there. Laughing

Hmmm, maple syrup with a spicy Latin twist. That'll wake you up fast. Shocked

Yes, indeed, at least we have the classics for those times when only the real thing will do. Very Happy