Automobiles can be as simple as means of transportation or well-crafted industrial design highly enjoyable to look at. Anything designed well pleases me, automobiles, especially the cars from the past, have a special place in my heart. When I see older cars from the 50’s or 60’s I get a chance to do a bit of time travel and marvel at their extravagant, flamboyant designs, with immense sizes, sweeping fins, sculptured head and tail lights. I am also quite impressed with the design of some newer ones, albeit mostly by way of photographs.
My friend Jim and I went to Newport to visit Audrain Automobile Museum to see some oldies, and they were also goodies! A pristine looking Delahaye greeted us with its graceful lines; behind that was a Hudson which I probably used many a time in Istanbul as a jitney. Those cars were favored by the jitney drivers because of the inner space as well as tank-like steel structure. Often times they would add a small middle row seat to increase the passenger capacity.
The Car Collectors Deserve Thanks
The orange-brown Tucker stood beside the Hudson, it sported its famous cyclops headlight in the middle in addition to the standard pair on each fender. A little further in was a blue Thunderbird, convertible of course; and next to that stood the Batmobile probably used in some TV productions. On the other side was a pink DeSoto, I remembered a similar one my parents’ family friend owned. A huge Cadillac Eldorado took the center stage with a Packard behind it. Of course, every car show must have a Chevy, paired with a Pontiac and a Corvette. The two oddballs were a Woody and a converted small Fiat for small trips with wicker seats and no doors.
Below are some photographs from this trip. Although the subject matter is cars, the photographs are about design, form, lines, color, symmetry, etc. I put simple titles to each without the year or model names to detach the photographs from the cars. I hope you enjoy this small nostalgic tour of the vehicles of the yesteryear. The next post will be about cars again, but at a nearby location in a more festive setting. Stay tuned!
Haluk Atamal says
Beautiful tour of excellent photos. Thanks, Cemal.
Jitney used to be called “strapentalı” when I was a kid in Şişli, and there were many between Şişli and Beşiktaş, Karaköy etc.
Love and best regards from Antalya with her “improving” weather.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you Haluk, I’ve learned that you appreciate old cars too and was expecting your visit. I remember “dolmus” but your word made gentle ripples in my mind although I cannot recall using it myself. I bet there are still some Hudson’s left in Istanbul, probably with engines replaced with Jeep engines.
The weather in RI is still unusually hot and humid, the hottest summer I believe. Take care,
Cemal