In 1957, while normal fathers and sons were planning their hunting trips, the Grubb boys were planning our excursion to Lancaster to visit the new car showrooms. My Dad began this tradition during the 1930’s, collecting brochures with each new model release—a hobby he proudly passed on to his four sons. Up until the late 60’s, Detroit boldly unveiled each year’s new models with tremendous fanfare. The new model would often sit in the showroom under a cover for days awaiting its grand reveal. The promise of free balloons, hot dogs and ice cold bottles of pop only elevated my excitement.
Piling into our pastel green ‘52 Mercury sedan, we set out for Lancaster. Beginning downtown at Holzer Ford on Broad Street (where the library is now), we motored west to White Chevrolet on Lincoln Avenue (which later became Taylor Chevrolet). Eventually, we made it all the way out to the northern fringe of town, across from a sign that read “Coming Soon – The Plaza Shopping Center” where we’d visit Showalter’s Chyrsler-Plymouth-Studebaker.
These trips were much more than curiosity for me, they were a rite of passage—a primal trek with my father into the world of manliness. Often we’d wait in line for the opportunity to experience up-close and personal the American artwork of expansive chrome and rich pastels. Huge pillar-less doors swung wide, promising to caress you with designer brocade fabrics. Wrap-around windows offered sweeping vistas over mile-long hoods adorned with rocket ship ornaments that appeared to be rushing forward, powered by sweeping tailfins. The cumulative impact convinced me they might roar off into orbit at any moment.
It was a visceral experience, and each year I fell in love all over again. Sitting in the driver’s seat, dwarfed by a huge multi-colored steering wheel, I made motor noises as Dad puffed on his pipe, feigning interest in the salesman’s pitch. Later, I scarffed down yet another free hot dog and soda before collecting the free brightly colored brochures. Later at home the brochures became my new car bible, preaching the glory of Detroit’s latest pleasure machines.
“Big-Bold-Buoyant—the AIR BORN B-57 BUICK!”
“New for 57!” “Power…Economy…Prestige!”
“The EDSEL LOOK is here to stay—it has the new ideas next year’s cars are copying!”
Strato Touch shift…in the center of the steering wheel!
As Connie Francis’ crooned Who’s Sorry Now from the radio on our way home, Dad prophesied, “Ford will be singing that song after everyone gets a load of that new Edsel!” Dad’s opinion was important to me, and I completely agreed with his glowing endorsement of the all new Edsel for 1957! I thought the designers at Ford had totally nailed the long, low look of the west coast customizers. I loved the split front bumper and the horse collar grille and the way the taillights floated outward, to form horizontal fins. I thought, “If God ever made a car, it would look like the Edsel!”
Sadly, in spite of my Dad’s genius about these things, the Edsel failed miserably—perhaps due to a great extent by the dramatic economic downturn of the late 50’s. New car sales plummeted by over 30% and sounded the death knell for the Edsel.
It was no easier then than it is today to recognize the difference between a passing fad and an enduring classic. And for that reason, I’m so grateful that our faith in God isn’t based on public opinion or popular vote, but on the never-changing promises of God Himself. Fashion is fickle, its appeal fleeting, but God never changes and His promises last forever.
Listen to this really cool verse from the ancient book of Psalms, I hope it encourages you to know that the Lord loves you and His opinion of you will never change.
“What you say goes, God,
and stays, as permanent as the heavens.
Your truth never goes out of fashion;
it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.”Psalm 119:89-90 The Message
Read Ron’s column, Simple Faith, each Saturday on the Faith Page (page 3) of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, or visit www.lancastereaglegazette.com.