Last weekend, which was Labor (Labour) Day weekend here, we went to a car and bike show – just a small one put on by a local organization and I must say, Americans love their old cars!
The thing is, they don’t love them in the same way British car enthusiasts love ‘em. It seems to me in Britain a lovely old (classic) car is one that has been taken care of since new, kept in original condition and given lots of loving care. Basically, how your granddad treats his car.
In America, the old car needs updating with all new paintwork, chrome, souped up engines and new interiors. Very big and brash. Definitely not your grandparent’s car!
The photos here were taken last year in England when we went to a small village fete and there was a car show which looked like a bit of an afterthought. It was as if a few old fellows decided to give their family car a bit of a wash and polish and drive to the village green. They are small and compact and very “British.” Look at the little mini, for example!! [Bless]
The thing is, they don’t love them in the same way British car enthusiasts love ‘em. It seems to me in Britain a lovely old (classic) car is one that has been taken care of since new, kept in original condition and given lots of loving care. Basically, how your granddad treats his car.
In America, the old car needs updating with all new paintwork, chrome, souped up engines and new interiors. Very big and brash. Definitely not your grandparent’s car!
The photos here were taken last year in England when we went to a small village fete and there was a car show which looked like a bit of an afterthought. It was as if a few old fellows decided to give their family car a bit of a wash and polish and drive to the village green. They are small and compact and very “British.” Look at the little mini, for example!! [Bless]
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| Bubble Car!! |
And then we have the Americans…. Big, bold and very, well, American.
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| Is this a boat in disguise? |
These things are HUGE. They’re like bloody boats and they’re not the kind of thing you see driving down the freeway every day. Definitely not family cars. It was all very American Graffiti.
They were shiny, colorful and chrome-y (not sure that’s an actual word, but it works). It didn’t look like many of them had their original color schemes either.
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| Bit ugly, to be honest |
Then of course, there's a fascination with flames...
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| Why the duck? |
Even a Rolls Royce which managed to look like an American boat. I have never seen an uglier Rolls Royce in my life. Because, you know, I'm always travelling in style (not)..
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| I don't like that colour |
I could not even begin to imagine how any of these cars could use the roads in England. They are so massive and I expect the turning ratio would just not work on those narrow country roads.
They would get stuck on a corner and end up surrounded by sheep, causing a backup of irate motorists politely shaking their fists and grumbling about the queue. I know, an unlikely scenario but it just sounds so very British, doesn’t it?
It was nice seeing all these cars, but the weather was so hot and the car park was sweltering so the very best part of the day was going into the bar for a beer! Obviously.
Those new paints. They're not very classic car-y are they? (If you're allowed chrome-y, I'm allowed classic car-y.)
ReplyDeleteYup - I'm thinking Henry Ford would roll over in his grave if he saw that awful purple!! And car-y is perfect!!
DeleteOh, and I was informed the 'duck' is, in fact a turkey. Because that makes more sense... :-}