| Those of us who are in classic car | | | | the industry norm. Have we as a society |
| clubs, regardless of model or make, | | | | evolved into such a lazy species that we |
| decide to become members for any given | | | | are incapable of rolling a window down |
| number of reasons. Perhaps we owned a | | | | or pushing in a lock? If a power window |
| particular car in our youth that brings | | | | fails, you're looking at a repair that |
| back fond memories of cruising the | | | | will cost around $400. Maunal seats have |
| streets on Friday nights. Maybe we | | | | given way to 8-way adjustable power |
| remember going to Drive-in movies with | | | | seats. Is this really necessary? |
| our date's head resting on our shoulder. | | | | Hand-operated levers work fine for a |
| Perhaps it was simply the sound of our | | | | fraction of the cost. While we're on the |
| particular car's engine, which could | | | | subject of seats, what's up with heated |
| range from anything to a soft purr or a | | | | seats? My solution? Wear a coat. |
| horsepower-laden monsterous growl as we | | | | Cruise control is a nice feature to have |
| rolled down the highway. Perhaps some of | | | | if you travel frequently on desolate |
| us are too young to have experienced the | | | | stretches of Interstate somewhere such |
| era in which these cars roamed the | | | | as the Dakotas or Montana, but it's |
| earth, but we have nevertheless been | | | | impractical in heavy traffic, which is |
| influenced by our elders and appreciate | | | | increasing as each day goes by. I can't |
| what once was. Whatever the reasons may | | | | count the number of times I've had to |
| be, there is nothing quite like finding | | | | hit the "cancel" button as I gain |
| others who share these feelings and | | | | rapidly on somebody in a Buick Lesabre |
| enjoy the cameraderie and rewarding | | | | who has been in bifocals since the |
| experiences that are all part of being | | | | Kennedy Administration going fifty miles |
| in such a group. | | | | an hour. I can live without it. |
| My particular love is old Volkswagen | | | | Perhaps the most pretentious feature to |
| Beetles. I have been a member of the | | | | ever come along in today's cars is the |
| Chippewa Valley Volkswagen Club, based | | | | Satellite Navigation System. If you want |
| in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for over three | | | | to save thousands of dollars, I have |
| years. We go on many cruises, other | | | | some suggestions. A)If you feel the need |
| outings, and hold our own show annually. | | | | to know what direction you are going, go |
| During the original Beetle's lifespan, | | | | to Wal-Mart and buy a compass for six |
| which ran from it's infancy in 1938 Nazi | | | | dollars. B) Look out your window and |
| Germany up until 2003, when the very | | | | note the location of the sun. Unless you |
| last "Bug," as it was lovingly called, | | | | live on the planet Venus, it rises in |
| rolled off the assembly line in Puebla, | | | | the east and sets in the west. Now look |
| Mexico, over 21.5 million were produced. | | | | at your watch. C) On cloudy days, try |
| As a result, there are still thousands | | | | reading highway signs. They will tell |
| of them on roads today, and clubs such | | | | you whether you're going east, west, |
| as mine are dedicated to the | | | | north, or south. |
| preservation of these unique cars. We | | | | Come to think of it, this works on sunny |
| also support other clubs throughout the | | | | days as well. D) Go to a gas station or, |
| states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. | | | | more likely in this day and age, a food |
| The Volkswagen Beetle defined | | | | mart, and buy a map. This will cost |
| simplicity, something that is quite | | | | about five dollars. If you're lost, ask |
| lacking in today's cars, regardless of | | | | the attendant how to get back on track |
| model. There is no question that certain | | | | to wherever you're going. Chances are |
| items such as airbags and side-impact | | | | that they'll steer you in the right |
| crumple zones have acomplished much in | | | | direction. If he or she can't, find |
| the way of saving lives,but let's go | | | | someone who can. Trust me. You don't |
| back forty years for a few moments. | | | | need to rely on a satellite in orbit |
| Air-conditioning was considered a luxury | | | | hundreds of miles above. |
| in those days, and only select cars were | | | | No-frills cars should still be available |
| equipped with it. Nearly every car | | | | as an option for those who share my |
| manufactured today has air-conditioning | | | | sentiment. There are undoubtedly many |
| as standard equipment. In Wisconsin,I | | | | drivers who have become accustomed to |
| use it in my 1996 Volkswagen Golf maybe | | | | the above-mentioned features. In fact, |
| ten days out of the year. While someone | | | | there are people who couldn't imagine |
| in, say, Phoenix or Miami would beg to | | | | driving without them, but should they |
| differ, I pose the following question: | | | | ever question why cars of today cost ten |
| Does somebody in Fairbanks, Alaska | | | | times as much as those of a few decades |
| really need it? | | | | ago, I have put in my two cent's worth. |
| Power windows and locks have also become | | | | Or rather, twenty cents... |