Why do people love cars?

With high gas prices, increased pollution and road rage-inducing five o'clock traffic, it's amazing that Americans are still able to maintain a solid affection for cars against all of the opposition. Despite these factors, what keeps car sales going steady is the fact that they are so embedded in our culture. When cars first arrived on the scene in the early 20th century, they were considered a luxury item for the rich and famous members of society. When Henry Ford came along, he decided to build a car that everyone could enjoy and afford. He is quoted saying " I will build a car for the great multitude...But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one — and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces." This idea inspired the Model T, which was the most popular car owned by middle class members of society and was perhaps the first thing that inspired Americans to love cars.

Cars began as convenient modes of transportation, but they were soon understood as something more. Cars were symbols of power and freedom. You could go anywhere you wanted, do anything you wanted, be anything you wanted with your new car. Cars began to completely take over American culture in both real life and forms of entertainment as well. Would James Dean have been a true "Rebel Without a Cause" if it weren't for his bad boy motorbike? Who can picture Suzanne Somers out of the white T-Bird in American Graffiti? Our car culture is reflected in entertainment even today, with hot rod action flicks such as The Fast and Furious, which opened at number one in the box office in 2001. You don't have to own a car or even be a big car enthusiast to appreciate the affection for cars that Americans have as a whole.

The Fast and Furious movies inspired a whole new generation of young people to be enthusiastic about the potential of the automobile. This wide-range enthusiasm inspired the Number One Parts Inc. company (sponsors of The Fast and Furious Drag Racing series) to provide a fun, base location for car enthusiasts to gather and see how well they could compete. In 2001, the national event brought in a crowd of 85,000 people, who all seemed to love cars just as much as the next guy. Auto tuning has gained popularity because it invites more freedom and creativity into caring for cars. It essentially allows vehicle enthusiasts to build their own dream car. Cars are and have always been a reflection of our own individuality. Some people look at a car and see its potential for complete beauty, power and speed. Thanks to the increase of car shows, car enthusiasts can now show off their own works of art all over the country with people who can really appreciate it.

Car collecting is another big part of American culture because it allows us to connect with the past and be nostalgic about it in a more accessible way. From real cars to model cars, car collecting is just a part of our collective affection for cars that is growing every day. When shopping for cars, many car collectors look specifically for detailed replica models of historical cars so they can really feel like they're back in the model year of the car when they drive it. For many Americans, it's an indestructible replica of youth and the freedom that comes from being young. Sales for historical vehicle manufacturers such as Racing Champions and Ertl have risen dramatically in the past few decades due to the increasing affection for cars from a different time. Anything from classic entertainment cars-- from Batman to American Graffiti-- to NASCAR replicas or specific models that buyers may share a memory with are the best-selling cars in the lot.

Car collecting is a great way to connect generations with one another. It can be a way to bond with older family members and teach young children a love for automobiles that goes deeper than the car's potential for convenience in transportation. Cleaning cars and caring for them are a way for enthusiasts to show their appreciation for the automobile and its tremendous worth to the American people. It's important to understand that the reason people love cars so much is not simply because it can get you quickly and safely from point A to point B. Cars can be a relic of the past that can capture a moment and keep it available to you forever. Americans can get in their Ford Mustangs and suddenly be right back in 1964, when they were young and reckless and the only worries they had were making it to the drive-in on time.

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