Adventures In Motoring

The younger crowd will not believe this bit of lore I fear, But operating vehicles was more complicated in yesteryear! For example, to signal turns you hung your arm out the door, And to dim the lights there was a dimmer switch mounted on the floor! If, alas, you punctured a tire, you repaired it with an inner tube. You parked your car over a pit at the garage for an oil change and lube. The gearshift lever was on the floor and it was always in the way, 'Specially when with your sweetie you tried to make a little hay! To start the engine on some cars you used a knuckle bustin' crank! To open a convertible top, you had to give it a humongous yank! Heaters operated sporadically and in the winter you froze your tush! Air conditioning was the passing breeze sans cooler buttons to push! Dogs and chickens were shooed away with an oogah-oogah horn. Shock absorbers were rare - jouncing, squeaky springs kept cars airborne Lots of chrome and rumble seats were available for the more audacious. Folks huddled close together since seating wasn't all that spacious! There was a clutch to fool with and you depended on mechanical brakes. A long trip over two-lane roads was certain to give you pains and aches! About the only good thing about cars back then is when you filled the tank. You needn't seek a usurious loan (as you do today) from the local bank! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved