Page 19 - Volume 15 Number 3

TOAboutby Dane C. Jenning Tandava AviationAs an automotive enthusiast like a 1965 Chevy, a Ford was veryfor many years, it is awelcome event when the time comes to buy a new car. Since that time is rapidly approaching in our household, we started nosing around last week to begin sorting our options.With so many beautiful styles from all of the manufacturers, any decision based on eye appeal will be difficult. So much so that it is getting difficult to distinguish a Hyundai from Mercedes as one crosses your path.On the way home from a brief foray at a couple of dealerships I began to recall visiting car dealers in the 1960s with my father when the norm was to replace the family car every two or three years. Back then a 1963 Chevy didn’t look anythingdifferent from a Chrysler, Honda’s were little motorcycles and Toyota wasn’t even a word.AnticipationAs my mind wandered through those memories, I recalled how cars were sold in the automotive heydays of muscle cars. Dealership windows would be covered for days before the new cars would be unveiled to anxious buyers. We would wonder what the new colors would be and if the predictions from the spies at Motortrend magazine would be correct.If my memory is not too clouded by the youthful excitement of the times, the salesmen spoke of attributes such as styling, performance, reliability, smooth ride, ease of maintenance, rust proofing, paintMARCH 2011­TWIN & TURBINE • ­17