Shout-Out: USA! USA!

Some of you may have noticed that, to date, this blog has showcased foreign cars exclusively (European, to be more precise). Why is this? Primarily this has to do with styling: by the 1950s the major American manufacturers were making big, clunky cars, and by the 1960s the Americans were making huge, clunky, butt-ugly cars. The 1955 Bel-Air was still a pretty car, but have you ever tried parallel-parking one?

In contrast, European cars continued producing stylish cars for a lot longer. For instance, Volvo's PV544, which was produced through 1965, has awesome body styling reminiscent of a 40s-era Chevrolet.

1945 Chevy:

1965 Volvo:

So, the post-1950s cars are out. The problem with buying a pre-1950 car is that technology has progressed so far since then. Engines now use un-leaded gasoline, and seatbelts have been shown to prevent you from flying through the windshield. The only classic American cars worth owning today are curiosities or hot-rods, not daily-drivers.

Except, perhaps, for the 1955 Corvette. Ah, Corvette: GM's response to American GIs returning from WWII who had seen European cars. Chevrolet basically got it wrong for the first two years, with an under-powered V6 and a 2-speed automatic (hahaha!). Finally, in 1955 they unveiled the Chevy small-block, a V8 that could provide enough power to make the Corvette a true sports car. Plus, they also made 75 of these cars with a 3-speed manual transmission! Imagine that! It's not quite a 4-speed Jag, but it's getting there. And, these early Corvettes have style. Ba-zam! The later models were too flashy, with unnecessary side-scoops, too much chrome (if that could be possible), and they just look big and clunky (USA! USA!). The 1958 Corvette is what I always think, when I think "Corvette," with the added associations of "expensive," "pretentious," "meretricious," etc. But the 1955 Corvette, for 75 glorious cars, did it right.

My favorite part, as usual, are the stand-alone headlights. My second-favorite part: the rear. Baby's got back! I don't want none, unless you got fins, hun!

Of course, there's always a sticking point, and for cool old cars, chances are it's the price. The reason why I haven't included the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette on my list so far is that I tend to covet cars that can love me back. Cars that I can afford. You know, later. A Porsche 356 is pricey, but if I can find another one for $16,000, like I did earlier this summer, then maybe once I've gotten a real job and need transportation, it enters the realm of possibility.

A 1955 Corvette, on the other hand, costs about $60,000. Or up to $200,000. And that's probably not for the ultra-rare manual transmission. Plus, everyone knows how expensive Corvettes are, and therefore it's way unlikely to get one on the cheap.

Oh, America. Why must you push me into the arms of European coupes?