A Boys First Car
Speed, adventure, friends … what’s not to love?
Sixty years ago, my hometown, Detroit, was still the world’s envy. It was the fourth most populated city in the U.S. It was known for its contribution to The Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape to freedom.
It was the home of Motown, the record company that played a major role in developing soul and R&B music, with dozens of artists becoming world-renowned musicians and performers.
Detroit was famous for its stunning landmarks, architecture, professional sports teams, and unique cultural heritage.
However, the city was most famous worldwide for being a hub for innovation and production in the automobile industry. It earned the title, The Motor City. It was the automobile capital of the world.
In the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, it was common for young men in Detroit to become obsessed with automobiles. We collected and read all the latest car magazines. We taped pictures of our favorite cars on the walls of our bedrooms. When we were old enough and able to scrape together enough money to buy our first car, we bought whatever used car we could afford and worked hard to make it look good.
