In the endless rush to attract younger buyers, luxury car brands may have ended up alienating their traditional customer base – older buyers, specifically those old enough to collect social security – by implementing complex, technologically advanced features like touch screens and complicated infotainment systems. What if there were a way to opt-out?

Larry Vellequette of Automotive News has jokingly suggested a “Luddite” trim package for older buyers, which pairs traditional knobs and buttons with comfortable seating options. It may be a semi-satirical idea, but I am sure that plenty of older buyers would take well to it. I know of a few instances where older buyers have gone for the car that offers the least technology, even if it meant forsaking the brands they were traditionally loyal to.

That has meant traditional customers of Lincoln and Cadillac have shifted over to something like a Lexus ES350, because they found CUE or MyLincoln Touch to be too much of a burden. Bear in mind that these are the sort of people who find sending an email to be a great technological feat, and it’s not hard to understand their reluctance in embracing in-car computerization.

Vellequette notes that the resistance to touchscreens and their ilk is ultimately a futile pursuit. It’s also true that this demographic is literally a dying one, and the future of these brands will be with those who are technologically savvy. On the other hand, those with the means to buy new cars tend to be older. Perhaps the solution would be the ultimate automotive tech cliche – an iPad-like interface with a simple menu and easily recognizable icons. Though I’m not a “Mac Guy”, Apple products like the iPad and iPod seem to click with older users, with a minimum of futzing around required to operate them.

This contest closed today, Wednesday, July 4^th 2012 at 2 pm Eastern Time.

Please stay tune for the results.

I am not on a press trip. I am at a place off-limits to outsiders. Only a chosen few ever had access, under strict security measures. I am instructed that I will have to wear protective clothing. I will be under constant surveillance. Pressure, no presents. Find out where I am, and you can win an iPad that was given by someone else to another TTAC writer at another location.

The iPad is a 16GB White iPad 2, WiFi only.  It is preloaded with a press kit. Hint: The press kit has nothing to do with the location where I am. Not even close.

From July 9 through 13, TTAC will run a five-part series based on the location in the picture. By way of this five-part series, readers of TTAC will receive unprecedented access. You will receive a behind-the-scene look, exclusive, never before published proprietary pictures, and a glimpse into the future

The contest ends July 4^th, 2012 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

The location and the winner will be disclosed after July 4^th, 2012 at 2 p.m. Contestants can submit multiple guesses. Only one guess per person after July 4th, 2012 at 10:02 am. Correct guesses will not be acknowledged before contest ends. Official Rules apply.