Curbside Classic Clue
Published: August 3rd, 2009
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We’ve reached the end of our 1971 six small car comparison at last. And what a winner we have indeed! Without giving too much away, let’s just say this car runs, was for sale, and I was sorely tempted to buy it. Let’s also say that since many of you probably know our not-so-mysterious winner by now, that what we’re looking for are pithy, profound and insightful comments to explain the significance of the setting and background of where I discovered this very rare car.
More by Paul Niedermeyer
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Paul, Here is another repressed memory - the one passenger panel express. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:71_Vega_Panel.jpg
Contrast the article "lordstown struggle" in the link above, with historical knowledge of pre-union Detroit in the better car companies. Packard, early 20th century (pre-UAW): The company provided the first modern, well lighted factory by means of hiring architect Albert Kahn, who invented a reinforced concrete construction system allowing massive windows. The Packard management, while not wishing to be "paternalistic", kept the working conditions humane; provided pre-paid medical care for workers; provided for a dance hall and music for afterhours entertainment, etc. Henry Ford could be blamed for speeding up the work process to an inhumane point, which most other car companies adopted over time (in order to better compete - specifically, GM and Chrysler) and these "speed-ups" led to the demands for unionization in order to curb the abuse of the working stiffs. The trouble is, the unions soon became just another layer of bureacracy that the unionized had to carry, for the most part. If you doubt these words, look at the success of companies manufacturing cars in the non-union mandated states vs. the big-3 which have the UAW.
The significance of the photo could be that only witchcraft (symbolized by the black broom) can keep the car running longer than 30,000 miles. After all, didn't Samantha and Darren (both of them) Stevens always drive Chevrolets?
I'mm late to this party, sorry... But I must comment. Scheumack Broom Company! I saw those brooms last time I was in Eugene, in 2002, and thought: these are fantastic, I should import them into Germany. (Of course, I was too lazy to follow up on my idea). Great product, great town, lousy car, lousy car company!