by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
Statistics show that the most popular mode of transportation for vacations is the automobile. Airline and trains might be faster for further destinations, but the family auto offers convenience, time to explore and usually financially less expensive when there are three or four members along for the journey. Do you remember the old TV commercial when singer Dinah Shore sang, “See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet”? That catchy tune is an iconic classic. What I like best about traveling by our own car is that we can usually pack in extra items that might not be able to be included when traveling by plane. This also goes for shopping or buying unique gift items along the way. We might not be able to carry or allowed to bring onboard if going by plane. Most of us know that when we are looking to buy a new or used car that most likely we will have this purchase for at least five years or more. That is if it continues to run in good condition and there is no need to upgrade. Thinking back to the “old days” say back in the 1960’s, it was easy to recognize every model car by its distinct lines or design. Whether it was the large fins on a Cadillac that looked that the “Bat Mobile” or heavy chrome designs of other manufacturers, many men could spot a car and instantly name the model! Most of us even knew more history about cars that we even realize, too. See how many of these trivia car questions you can answer.
Questions:
1. What businessman is largely responsible for revolutionizing the automobile industry’s manufacturing process? 2. Which General Motors brand has been its largest seller since the 1920’s? 3. What was the car Plymouth named after? 4. What was the name of the model car that Henry Ford named after one of his sons that was a disaster in the low amount of sales? 5. What is the name of a British car model that has the name of a feline? 6. Speaking of British, when a Brit looks under the “bonnet” to check the engine, what do we call that part in the United States? 7. What famous filmmaker that did The Godfather has his middle name given to him because a car company sponsored the radio show where his dad worked? 8. What is the most popular color car purchased across the globe according to U.S. News and World Report? 9. What is the name of the most famous highway that opened in 1926 that stretches 2,448 miles across the United States? 10. What does the “B” stand for in the German auto BMW? (Hint it is the area where the car is manufactured.) 11. The Delorean was made into a time machine by Doc Brown so Marty McFly can go back to 1955 and meet his parents in what film? 12. Another television classic auto was driven by the stars of the 1975-79 TV series, Starsky and Hutch, was what model? The series starred David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser.
Answers:
1. Henry Ford back in 1913; 2. Chevrolet; 3. It is named after the Plymouth Colony settled by the Pilgrims; 4. The Edsel; 5. Jaguar; 6. Hood; 7. Francis Ford Coppola; 8. White; 9. Route 66 (Back in 1960-1964 there was a television series called Route 66 about two young men that traveled across the U.S. on this route and had various adventures each week.); 10. Bavaria; 11. Back to the Future, made in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox; 12. Ford Gran Torino. (Side note: This same car, Gran Torino, was the title of a film starring and directed by Clint Eastwood in 1972.)