How did the early life of Janet Guthrie look like?

Born on March 7th, 1938 in Iowa City, Janet was the eldest of the five siblings in her family. When she was only three years old, her family moved to Miami, Florida. Her father was a pilot and this is where Janet embraces her love for motor vehicles, and aerodynamics. She became a fully licensed pilot at the age of 17, which was quite young at the time. As Janet grew up, she became more interested in Physics and she eventually earned a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Michigan.
Her ambition at that time was not to become a car race driver, but to become an astronaut. Yes, an astronaut. And as with everything she loves, she did try to pursue that passion. She applied to NASA and though she passed many of their tests, she could not get in due to lack of a P.H.D. qualification, which was added at that time. However, she did not let this stop her. Her career was just about to begin a glorious path.

How did Janet Guthrie build her career in car racing?

The purchases of her two Jaguars XK 120 coupe and XK 140 along with her engineering knowledge to further modify them, turned out to be a great start of her car racing career. She started competing in Sports Car Club of America races. To be a good race driver though, physics and engineering knowledge alone won’t do it. One has to have the fire in the belly and the stamina to endure. The enduring part is not only applying to races, but also to surviving in the industry, especially while being a woman racing driver. “The problem for women, in my opinion, is they still have a harder time finding funding for this very expensive sport than does a man of similar accomplishments,” Janet said.

She went through many of these hardships on her own, facing many people that did not trust her, but also being fortunate enough to meet those that invested in her. Her glorious years would begin in 1976, when she would be the first woman to compere in a NASCAR Winston Cup car race. A year later, she would set a major milestone of again being the first woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. She kept her race spirit despite many technical difficulties with her cars, which often had to be modified as they were initially built for men. However, she did overcome many famous male race drivers at the time. In 1978, she managed to finish ninth in the Indianapolis 500, which was a major achievement.

What are five interesting facts about Janet Guthrie?

1.

• Janet Guthrie first began flying at the age of 13. Yes, while most children of her age play with toy planes, she was already learning to fly a real one.

2. Janet was also a great auto mechanic. She managed to disassemble and then put together part by part her Jaguar race car.

3. She also participated in two Trans-Am races in Mexico City in 1978, where she finished fourth.

4. If you would like to see Janet Guthrie’s helmet and race suit, you can visit the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

5. There is an upcoming movie about the life and career of Janet Guthrie, titled “Speed Girl”, where Hilary Swank will play the role of Janet.

Janet has shown to be a very ambitious woman who dared to be successful in men-led industries all her life, beginning from piloting, engineering, physics and motor car racing. She took challenges and coped with all difficulties along the way without giving up, because she has always known that she held a responsibility representing and inspiring many other women at the time who also dreamed of entering that male-dominated industry. She simply could not give up and let them down, and she never did.

The post Janet Guthrie: The girl that changed motor sports forever appeared first on Altered Steel.

What was the ancient nomadic life like?

Hunting animals and gathering plants were the main activities of hunter and gatherer societies around 11,00 to 12,000 years ago. They created a community of equals, where responsibilities were well-divided and everyone knew their role. Though there were not any modern means of organizing or researching the next best place to settle, people in this culture did a great job arranging all the travels. Quite amazing in terms of logistics, especially considering they mainly traveled by foot.

There were no fancy tools, no need for money, and no sense of individual ownership. The common property was what prevailed, as nature did not belong to anyone.

There seem to be no place for greed. The people hunted just enough to eat for a short period of time, without exceeding their limits. For a practical reason, this made sense, as they wanted to have less to carry with them.

There was no need for money either, as the barter economy allowed for simple transactions. Was it an isolating lifestyle? Maybe. But although we oftentimes think of it as primitive, we should keep in mind that we still cherish many of these lifestyle traits.

Nomadic lifestyle: the past and the present.

Regardless of the number of years that pass, the value system of a nomadic lifestyle has stayed unchanged for the most part. Connecting with nature, exploration, and adventure still remain at the center of it. Respect for nature is vital, and each nomad creates a special relationship with the trees, the woods, flowers, and all parts of the ecosystem.

What has changed with modern nomads is highly related to their additional motives for choosing the #vanlife and the logistics of it. Many modern nomads want to escape from a stressful life and to even get off the grid for some time. Restoring the energy while enjoying the feeling of independence, is oftentimes the best cure for stress. However, there are also those who are not escaping from anything. They just want to get back to their roots instead. Fascinated by their ancestral past, they try to keep their legacy alive.

Moreover, technological developments and social progress have equipped modern nomads with some of the best means of living sustainably and yet comfortably. People can choose this lifestyle. This was not always the case with ancient societies. Therefore, in modern days, being a nomad is not for everyone. Especially not for those who prefer comfort, indoor showers, or abundant wardrobes.

Are nomadic feelings innate in humans?

Although the word “migrant” is nowadays loaded with mixed meanings, which are not always pleasant, it seems that there is a common pattern across times and places. People have always liked moving and exploring, engaged in curiosity, and succumbed to wanderlust. Felix Marquardt calls these feelings “ancestral, essential and instinctive” in his book “The New Nomads: How the Migration Movement is Making the World a Better Place”.

The challenges of walking long distances, keeping social equality, or struggling to get food seem trivial to the modern convenient arrangements of renting or buying an RV, working remotely from a laptop, or buying food from local stores.

It is because of all these modern inventions that sometimes we forget that in essence, we still carry many of the inner traits of the ancient nomads. One of the most forgotten ones seems to be the drive to preserve nature without taking from it more than we can replace. Hopefully, modern nomads will bring this trait back to life as they explore different natural habitats and raise awareness.

How do you feel about modern nomads? What other common qualities with ancient nomads do you see? Let’s start a conversation – share your thoughts with us.

The post Ancient roots of the modern nomads appeared first on Altered Steel.

Technology has also helped us immensely when it comes to ease of communication as well. Who would have imagined centuries ago that we would have the means to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world in real-time?

Who would have imagined that technology would make it possible for people to switch to working online? Or celebrating the birthday of a loved one in real-time despite living on different continents?

So to connect? Or to not disconnect? Is technology making us more or less social? Researchers have been debating this question for quite some time now. Let’s delve into the up- and downsides of modern tech.

The upsides of technology

Technology is helping us be and feel more social. Compared to decades ago, we now can communicate with hundreds of people every day. It doesn’t matter if we know everyone we interact with or not. And that’s the beauty of technology: it gives us the opportunity to see and explore different and often contrasting viewpoints. It makes us more open to a conversation with people we do not know and welcome change in different areas of our lives.

Social networks also may help us be more proactive and take action. Various political, social, and climate strike movements were made possible and gained exposure and popularity thanks to technology and the power of social media.

The downsides of technology

Nevertheless, there are several downsides to any advances in technology. Remember the discussion on the pros and cons of autonomous cars?

Since social media started gaining popularity in the last decade, discussions on its positive and negative effects are still ongoing. As social networking apps pop up every day, borderline addiction to these networks, as with any type of addiction, is becoming more and more harmful.

While we might be mindful that social media is wasting our precious time, at the same time, it may be hard to stop the infinite scrolling. We’ve all been there. Sometimes even on auto mode without even paying attention to what we are looking at.

Technology has the power to draw us back in and “force” us to pay less attention to our real, physical world and the real people in front of us.

Have you ever asked yourself if it is more important to reply and socialize with the person or people next to you, in real-time, or respond to that message, to that email, or that sweet comment on your Instagram feed? Are the people sitting at the same table with you more important than anonymous social media followers or strangers on the internet? To whom do you pay attention first? Who and what gets the priority in your life?

Finding the golden middle

Being responsive on social media at all times is tempting. Checking your notifications is tempting. However, it is essential to be mindful of these actions and limit online time as much as possible. It is the only way to make space for real-life interactions. Enjoying nature, exploring new places, connecting with fellow human beings, making plans and creating projects, and completely forgetting about checking our handheld devices are also important for our wellbeing.

Yes, technology is enriching our social relationships. We are being more social than we ever were before. But at the same time, we are being less social and communicating less with people we know and meet in person.

Taking a break from our devices from time to time is also recommended. It might be refreshing and give you the chance to come back with a new perspective and take back control of how you spend your valuable time on a day-to-day basis.

The post Is technology making us more or less social? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Living off-grid, off-road is highly becoming more popular in the US. More than 1 million Americans were living in RVs by the end of 2018. This number could be significantly higher today. Shifting away from traditional stability and fixed location, people are giving a new meaning to the American dream – Nomadic. Let us dive into the perks and challenges of being a nomad.

Why is the nomadic life becoming so appealing?

“No, I’m not homeless. I’m just houseless. Not the same thing, right?” – says Fern in “Nomaland” – the winner of the Best Picture at the 93rd Academy Awards. Establishing the difference between a home and a house might be a logical first step towards choosing a nomadic life.

The feeling of self-sufficiency and liberation from the need to live in a traditional house grants independence and freedom. Living in a van, while working a dream job and not having to pay monthly rent, sounds like a great value proposition.

Who are these modern-day wandering souls? If you look around, you’ll notice that there is no typical profile for a nomad. People in their late teens, divorced women, older men, and even families with small children are joining the nomad club.

Their stories and reasons to join are different. Some are just trying to avoid homelessness after losing their jobs and as a way to preserve dignity. Others see the nomadic life as a means to save more money and live more carefree, while also reducing their carbon footprint. Then there’re wealthy nomads who are there for the sake of freedom and flexibility with a touch of luxury. Everyone has a story to tell.

Among nomads, these differences do not matter as everyone becomes part of a community that goes through similar challenges. So perhaps, the off-grid, off-road path can serve as a social equalizer, defying capitalism.

What challenges do nomads face in modern America?

Being a nomad may seem exciting at first, but probably not everyone can easily adjust to it. After all, having to use public showers, frequently change parking places, or live with the minimal amount of clothes and other personal items is not a lifestyle that fits all. This is why many people who choose vanlife, first try to test if they like it, by renting RVs for a short period of time.

Another challenge is related to adjusting legal paperwork regarding taxes, driver’s license, voting, etc, which in traditional scenarios require a fixed address. Thankfully, during the last years, community networking groups such as Diversity Vanlife, National African American RVer’s Association, or Escapees RV Club have been created to facilitate some of these transactions and to enhance the sense of community. They also provide consulting services and organize webinars and workshops guiding nomads on these issues: for example, how to establish a permanent address. As more services have been moving online, it became easier to file paperwork and ultimately stay connected.

Is the nomadic lifestyle here to stay?

Living in a van is more than just adapting to logistics limitations. It is about keeping the true nomadic spirit alive. The phenomenon of hipsters traveling across the country, or even across the world, is not new. However, the fact that people from all walks of life are now joining this community is a novel trend.

This raises the question of whether being a nomad is also a form of escapism, which will end as one gets bored or improves his or her financial situation. Downsizing to a van can reduce so much of the “regular” life stress, but will it be enough?

After all, some of this stress will still persist for digital nomads who work and learn remotely. Constant traveling and relocating can also be exhausting, and people might get a call back to fixed-location stability.

What does all this mean for the American dream? Is this dream nomadic, risky, stable, or balanced? I think there is no single answer to this.

However, I believe there is one thing that is inherent to the American dream: and that is pursuing happiness. The path towards happiness varies across people, and for some, it is being a nomad.

What is your take on the new American dream? Is it nomadic? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Off-grid, off-road: Is the new American dream nomadic?  appeared first on Altered Steel.

How did Helene Rother’s journey begin?

Born in 1908 in Leipzig, Germany, Helene was brought up in an environment that was constantly under war threat. Germany and France, where she later lived, became battlegrounds for the World Wars. Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine her childhood and teenage years resembling a rollercoaster with sharp ups and downs.

Yet, she managed to study art in Germany and then worked as a jewelry designer in Paris, before World War II. During this time, she gave birth to her daughter and formed her little family. However, as I mentioned in the beginning, there were times of danger and uncertainty.

Soon enough, she had to flee from Nazi-occupied France to North Africa. It was very hard for her and her seven-year-old daughter to travel to the US right away without a visa. However, somehow she got lucky and embarked on a ship to the United States.

Going through all these hurdles ever since she was young, then traveling across three continents with a child, shows her resilience and determination to thrive. A new chapter began for her in the US where she would make history as an automotive designer.

What made Helene Rother successful in the male-dominated auto industry?

Helene was an able professional, a beautiful woman, and a great mother who did not have an easy start in the U.S. After all, she was a refugee, and most importantly, a woman. Yet, her design skills found application in art, jewelry production, marketing, and even book illustrating. It was by chance that she came across a General Motors interior designer vacancy ad. Though Helene did not have any experience in the industry, she applied and got the job.

Interior design was an area that was just taking off in the auto industry, as people were seeking more comfort and luxury in their cars. No wonder, Helene was the first woman doing this job in Detroit, as the damsels of design were growing in number. To everyone’s surprise, she became quite good at it and soon was one of the best paid General Motors employees. Such a high salary for a woman was so unusual, that it even made headlines in The Detroit News.

But the attention and media scrutiny did not stop her. She continued gaining expertise in the industry and doing research work. She was the first woman to speak at the Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit. Her paper titled “Are we doing a good job in our car interiors?” was highly praised. Soon enough, her work was getting awards such as the Jackson Medal.

How did the entrepreneurial career unfold for Ms. Rother?

As Helene had gained a reputation for high-quality car interior design at GM, other automotive companies started contracting her as a design consultant. Realizing that she could be her own boss, Helene opened her own studio named Helene Rother Associates.

Her designs for Nash Ramblers became famous, and her name was part of all advertisements. She turned to be a symbol of European influence on American automobile designs. She did not just design car interiors, though. Her style was also present in the stained glass of many reconstructed American churches. Expanding her work, communicating with clients like a true businesswoman, without losing quality and creativity were remarkable qualities of Helene.

What differentiated Helene Rother’s work?

Cars shouldn’t just take a person from point A to point B. They should also offer comfort and a pleasant experience for the driver. This is what Helene understood very early on. She saw the potential of interior car design as adding value to the car and ultimately giving the auto companies a competitive advantage. From a simple and basic design, she brought style, elegance, and uniqueness to each of the cars she designed. People loved buying cars that had her name as an interior designer.

As technology advanced, more high-quality materials could be nicely incorporated into vehicles, adding to their charm. The ambition to strive for more quality and more elegance, adding a modern contemporaneous touch to the dull vehicles made Helene unique.

She was a true trailblazer in the design world and her work has been acknowledged throughout the years. Lastly, in 2020 the Automotive Hall of Fame inducted her, along with other professionals who have contributed to the automotive sector. Helene Rother remains a role model for so many women who are seeking to unleash their potential and strive in male-dominated industries.

What about your car? Have you checked who designed its interior? I bet now you are curious to find out whether your car is designed by a woman. Let us know!

Image: Automotive Hall of Fame

The post Helene Rother: A trailblazer in the automotive design appeared first on Altered Steel.

The very first auto ad

Just like the first advertisement for any invention that has ever happened, the first automobile ads were very product-focused. They simply sold the benefits of owning a car instead of a horse.

The very first auto ad appeared in 1898 in an Ohio newspaper. Not any newspaper but the Scientific American itself. The very same Scientific American would eventually detail the work of Einstein.

The title of the pilot auto ad was quite on spot in terms of marketing, too. It included the call to action “Dispense with a horse” and the copy of the ad talked about the benefits of the Winton Motor Carriage. Not as costly to maintain, no odor, and the speed of up to 20 mph. No horse would ever be so powerful. Simple.

The first automobile ad is also known for its effectiveness. The advertisement definitely worked because Robert Allison of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, bought a Winton after seeing the ad in Scientific American.

Later in the year, Winton Motor Carriage sold another 21 vehicles. One of those vehicles was sold to James Ward Packard. The one who later founded his own car company. The first Packard automobiles were produced in 1899, and the last true Packard in 1956, when the company built the Packard Predictor, its last concept car. We wish all ads today had such staggering effects on any industry.

The beginning of auto advertising

Similarly to the first microwaves, the first dishwasher, or the first pair of tights – the first car was a sensation of its own! Automakers didn’t need a unique creative approach for their ads because they had a unique product. Something that doesn’t happen so often today. This is why the first ads were quite straightforward. Black & white paper ads. Of course, with a hint of humor.

This simplicity, however, did not last long. With the beginning of the 20^th century and the increasing penetration of automobiles, manufacturers needed to stand out. This is why they turned to advertisement agencies. Car ads became brighter and more colorful. Even in the ’30s, when America was struggling with The Depression, car ads remained the bright spot in the dark papers. At that time cars were still a luxury, so it was logical that they would target those who were not greatly affected by hard financial times.

A trophy for the wealthy

The early 20^th century saw the glamour of auto advertising. At that time cars were still fighting for road space with other means of transport, as well as very few people could afford them. The automobiles were heavy machines that usually required at least one mechanic to operate and maintain the car. This is why most ads were targeted at the wealthiest of society.

One of the groups that ads appealed to were the partygoers. Those who would want a car to make a noticeable entrance to the next glamorous event. Or even to their chauffeurs – the ones who would have to deal with tires and lubrication, which is why they needed a reliable vehicle. Auto advertising was very strategically oriented even from its start.

Think Small

You can see that the car has always been a status symbol for Americans by simply looking at the evolution of its advertising. Big cars, golden colors, beautiful women and animal print – all attributes to the car owner of the early 20^th century.

The first ad that disrupted this all-American image was the Think Small ad by Volkswagen. The company advertised its Beetle model – a car that was the exact opposite of the big, heavy American vehicles.

The goal of the ad was to increase the sales of the small car which struggled to penetrate the American market.

The creative approach was the opposite of all car ads from that period. While other ads provided detailed information about the car and its characteristics, the Beetle ad was rather minimalistic. It brought viewers’ attention to the exact thing that was considered problematic – the Beetle’s form – and turned it into an advantage. Simple, yet so smart.

The Think Small campaign was created by the DDB Agency and became one of the most famous ads ever. It earned the title of the best advertising campaign of the twentieth century by Ad Age, in a survey of North American advertisements.

Brightness & Spotlights

Even though this was still the era of muscle cars, European vehicles had started to get more attention as well. Mostly thanks to the creative approach to advertising. The Think Small campaign created a new trend. It brought photography in, and artwork was left behind in the first half of the century. Clever lighting and trick exposures replaced the artist’s pen.

Towards the second half of the 20^th century, car advertising was already a professional area for photographers. The first studio photoshoots took place in the 1980s and showed a completely new side of cars. One full of elegance and style. These were the years in which automobile ads reached their peak in numbers. There were cases when one magazine would feature between twenty and twenty-five car ads in one issue.

The 90s car tech

In the 1990s, most car ads were promoting the technology that you could find in vehicles, describing certain innovations.

One of the most famous ads of this decade was done by Honda. It was then when the brand introduced its VTEC system. This is why they put together a 24 Hours of Le Mans-themed ad in which people could listen to that engine’s wail all day. Quite creative for those times.

It seems like the 90s were the time when marketers realized that each needed to occupy a unique territory with their brand. They started building it from the product – showing the unique in what had already become a commodity.

The 90s saw the introduction of stricter regulations in vehicle safety for the first time. This led many brands to include safety as a big part of their narrative, too.

The Range Rover 4WD, for example, issued an ad with a horrifying image of a stop sign. The ad focused on the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system that “enables you to maintain steering and control in anything from a downpour to a blizzard.” It proclaimed that there was only one car that could save drivers from danger and it was the Range Rover.

Car advertising today

Today, it’s quite hard for an automobile ad to grab people’s attention. It feels like we have seen it all. Or we simply don’t care. Even though we buy cars much more often than in the past, the purchase of an automobile is still a rather big decision. This is why advertising has to be both clever and truthful to have an effect on the buyer. Sometimes a crazier approach might be successful, too. Such is the case with Audi and BMW – one of the most remembered ad wars in the history of auto advertising.

It all started back in 2012 when BMW placed a billboard promoting its 35th MOA Rally (Chess Tournament) in California. The billboard said “A BMW Rally with two nearby service centers. What’s next, paramedics at a chess tournament?” Audi advertisers then decided they could not keep quiet and replied with a billboard nearby with the following caption: “Chess? No Thanks, I’d rather be driving.”

And it was right then when the war broke out. A series of exchanges between the two auto leaders followed. In no time this ad war grabbed the public attention all over the world. Brands like Subaru and Bentley also tried to join the conversation. Nowhere near as successfully. The war ended when BMW brought in a branded blimp featuring its Formula 1 car. We cannot say how many car sales this resulted in, but it surely increased brand visibility and brand image of both brands.

Issues in auto ads over the years

You won’t be surprised to see that the automobile ad world did not lack problems and discrepancies. This is a sensitive category because of safety and the idea of status. Yet, it seems like the most disturbing issues are related to the image of females. Women are at the center of the scandal once again. Of course, sarcastically speaking.

What do women get?

Automobile advertising has traditionally focused on male drivers. There were only a few occasions where car ads targeted women. The first of them was the time during World War II. Most manufacturers had to redirect their production to satisfy the needs of the army. With so many men gone to war, there weren’t many left to show ads to. During the post-World War era, there was an economic increase and more women entered the workforce. This is why they could now afford a car of their own.

Along with the cars came the feelings of freedom, mobility, and endless power. Some of the topics that would soon be used by advertisers to increase female buying. Such ads became the first occasion-based advertisements in the industry. Minivans, for example, became the vehicles for female housewives. The ads showed that they were spacious, safe, and ideal for shopping.

Sex Sells

This, however, soon became a problem. While some women were glad someone offered cars especially for them, others saw the dark side of car advertising. The advertising that uses the stereotypical image of females.

The automobile industry is one of the main product categories that rely on sex appeal in their ads. This trend began in the 20^th century when the competition started growing. This is why you could see ads that showed quite a disturbing image of women.

A number of advertisements repeating trends where:

• women are objects that male car buyers want to accumulate;
• women are accessories that make cars appear more attractive to male car shoppers;
• they are seen as helpless and entirely unaware of how the entire car-buying experience works;
• and women serve the primary role of minivan-driving mothers.

This approach to advertising is an easy route to follow because it’s close to human nature. Yet, it doesn’t always work. Especially today, when we talk more openly about discrimination, it becomes really hard for such ads to remain unnoticed and uncriticized.

Top auto advertisers in the USA

The USA is a global leader in the advertising industry. Over the years, automobile manufacturers have scored highly on the list of highest-spending advertisers in the U.S. Even though they are not the only players in the automobile industry, their ad spending is quite spectacular.

In the past years, automobile advertising has shifted from TV formats to digital formats. Digital platforms today are the most rapidly growing channel for auto ads. According to Statista, the automobile industry has the third-largest digital advertising revenue in the country within major industries. The digital ad revenue in the U.S. automotive sector is expected to grow to about 5.3 billion U.S. dollars by 2021.

Which are the brands willing to spend all that money? It turns out the largest ad spender on the U.S. market among automakers is Volkswagen. In 2015, Volkswagen Group invested over 6.6 million U.S. dollars in advertising in 2015. Surprised? Maybe you shouldn’t be. After all the Volkswagen Group controls a broad portfolio of automobile brands. It includes VW itself, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Porsche. These are some of the most popular car brands in the world. And each one requires its own resources to maintain its brand image.

The ad spenders which occupy the next positions in the ranking are General Motors and Daimler. Each of the groups spent about 5 million dollars on advertising in 2015. Right behind them, we can see Ford – with 4.3 million – and Toyota Motor Corporation – with 4.1 million U.S. dollars in advertising activities in 2015.

If we sum these numbers up, we will see that the top five automakers spent about 25 million U.S. dollars on ads. In a single calendar year. Looking back to 1898 and the Winton Motor Carriage ad, it feels like the industry has gone quite a long way. A little over a century, hundreds of different auto brands and billions of dollars to make people buy them. If only we knew what one black-and-white paper ad would lead to…

The post History of car advertising appeared first on Altered Steel.

Now, if we trust Hollywood, reindeer power does not translate directly into horsepower, so our comparisons may fall short. Several propaganda movies have been made to show how old school reindeer just get the job done better than an engine, for example. But come on – you and I both know that Santa loves his tech. After all, he keeps on leaving brand new smartphones for kids all over the world.

With that in mind, today we are taking a look at some of Santa’s sleigh upgrades throughout the years. He might keep showing his reindeer off, but let’s see what he is driving when no one is looking!

Santa loves luxury

The bearded jolly old man may like to give children toys and gifts, but he treats himself as well. And no, I am not talking just about those cookies and milk next to a Christmas tree. He just likes having a comfortable ride in a reliable vehicle. Which is why he has a Lexus in his arsenal!

With that said, I would not call his Lexus sleigh exactly imaginative. I mean, for a luxury brand you would expect more attention to detail. Instead, they just slapped on a red LED for a nose and added some rails to call their LC model a sleigh.

Still, I have to give it to the automaker in terms of power – with 800 reindeer power and a hybrid engine, this thing travels fast. Plus, it shows they care about the polar ice caps, which Santa also adores. So while in terms of design Toyota (and Lexus) do fall a bit short, they make up for it in all the other important aspects!

Santa’s daily workhorse – A trusty pickup truck

Before Santa had the resources to go into luxury cars, he had to make do with cheap, but trusty alternatives. And what better to replace a sleigh than a pickup truck?

Truth be told, I cannot just give you a single model, because Santa has a few of them. He understands pickup truck classes and likely has one of each to fit his needs. From the smallest half-ton Chevrolet of the ’40s to the heavy-duty GMC Sierra, Father Christmas knows what to choose for his yearly hauling needs!

In my opinion, if Santa has to ever bet on a single vehicle, a pickup would be the obvious go-to. Though he might want to consider something with a bit more presence. Perhaps the F-350 Raptor?

Honorable mentions

Prior to revealing my all-time favorite Santa machine, we should also note some other vehicles in the (in)famous North Pole garage.

• Jaguar F-Type (and F-Sleigh)

Naturally, many companies want to get on Santa’s “nice” list. Because of this, they make up prototypes for him to try out (though I am sure bribery counts as “naughty”). Of all the prototypes though, Jaguar F-Sleigh actually takes a different route. They made it out of ice! So, yes, not exactly operable, but props to Jaguar for thinking outside the box.

• Mercedes GLK (or GLSleigh)

For all we can tell, Saint Nicholas looks like a humble person. That being said, sometimes people judge your presence by the type of car you drive. Thus, for occasions where looks matter, Mercedes-Benz has gifted Santa with a proper luxury off-road machine. Not sure if he brags about it, but it doesn’t hurt to have it just in case!

• Ford Fusion/Mondeo Sleigh

Since Ford knows it cannot compete on the luxury level, the carmaker has chosen a different strategy. Its version of Santa’s sleigh bets on practicality. Over the years Ford has offered Kringle several versions of its affordable sedan, but whether Santa actually drives any of them… no one knows.

Muscle and looks – The best sleigh in Santa’s collection

If you have been following our blog for a while now, you know the love we have for muscle cars like Ford Mustang. That being said, Santa prefers Dodge. More specifically, he likes to ride around in a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye Express.

Let me tell you, this beast blows away all of Santa’s reindeer and then some! With its 786 hp, the car-sleigh is almost 100 times as fast. Okay, I get it, those reindeer might be getting some special juice to bump their power-up, but even so, they are no match. The only drawback to the Hellcat version of the sleigh? Santa gets so pumped up about it that he actually forgets to do his job on Christmas Eve. So, reluctantly, he leaves this one in the garage for the time being!

With all that said, considering how many sleighs Father Christmas has, that toy manufacturing business turns out to be raking quite the profit. Who knew! But which of the engine-powered sleighs in this article do you like the most? Or would you rather Santa stick to his trusty old reindeer?

The post Santa’s sleigh reimagined appeared first on Altered Steel.

US car manufacturers do not exactly have the best reputation with their vehicles right now. Thankfully, as Americans, we can be proud to have plenty of iconic models throughout the years. So much so that we can have a heated discussion about which are the most remarkable out of the bunch. Well, shall we do just that?

At Altered Steel, we have a special place for all kinds of vintage cars. We have mentioned our favorite vintage SUVs, and we have explored the history of the American sedan. However, I think it is high time we talk about America’s most iconic classic cars… according to us! What do you say, are you up for a bit of time travel? Let’s go back a good few decades then!

More than fancy old cars

The problem with many such lists is that they take the most famous sports cars and slap them right at the top. It is not like vintage sports vehicles are not impressive or iconic though. I just like to think that the car world has more things going for it.

This is why today we’ll explore a bit of a different list. I would rather we don’t rank the vehicles, but instead, cherish each and every one of them. I will separate them into categories and pick the three most iconic models within those.

That being said, some seemingly obvious picks will actually not be on this list. You may be surprised to find that the Ford Model T or the classic Corvette that everyone wants haven’t made the cut. Don’t worry though – it is not because they are not iconic, but because they may be overly so. We should give a chance to some other models to shine, right? With this out of the way, we can dive straight into our first picks!

America’s most iconic muscle cars

Given my remark about sports cars, how come I open up the list with such a category? See, the point here is not to dwell on “sports”, but on “muscle”. All over the world, people know what muscles are. On top of that, they associate them with the States. This might as well be the only category that represents the quintessential American spirit. Due to all that I figured they make the best introduction to our list!

The undefeated stallion – Ford Mustang

Come on, which car marque and model better represents the US outside of our homeland? The original Mustang can take your breath away even now. It is one mean machine, which knows how to roar and announce itself. And not just here!

Have you ever had the pleasure to travel outside of the States and see how people react to Mustangs? For a few reasons, American muscle cars in Europe are still fairly rare. Still, people turn their heads when they see a Mustang. Though we actually have it better here, because you can still see the classic ones. They do not get to enjoy many of those on the Old Continent!

The special contender – Dodge Charger

Some cars simply do not get enough credit. In my opinion, Dodge Charger is one of those. Right from the start, it was a vehicle that broke the mold. Love it or hate it, but it was unique! With a bold design and aggressive build, it stormed the scene. To this day it makes for the perfect muscle example.

Unfortunately, it has never been as popular as the Mustang. The latter had tenfold the sales. Though perhaps that makes the Charger an even more precious classic. Being a gem like no other, it deserves a spot here!

The worthy rival – Chevrolet Camaro

ca

It has never been a secret that the Camaro was Chevrolet’s response to the Mustang. In fact, even though it may sound sacrilegious, I think the two models are kind of similar. This is why I enjoy the Charger so much – it walked its own path. Still, the Camaro is nothing if not iconic.

To illustrate my point, I want to draw your attention to the second generation of the Chevrolet Camaro. This car cemented the idea of what a muscle should be. It deserves a lot of credit for the fact that we can even talk about iconic muscle cars today. However, we should move on to a category that does not get nearly enough attention!

The classic old workhorses

All this fancy car talk is nice, but we often forget about the cars that virtually carried the US on their shoulders. After all, should we not focus more on vehicles that the general public could afford and actually drove? In my mind, they are “iconic” exactly because of their utilitarian nature!

The forgotten kind – AMC Eagle

Estate wagons may not be the most popular picks in the States today, but once upon a time they were preferable. Before we had tons of minivans and SUVs, the AMC Eagle was the perfect choice for a family person. It offered plenty of space, a lot of utility and it actually did not look half-bad.

In fact, some people consider the AMC Eagle to be the de facto predecessor of modern crossovers. In other words – we may owe the rise of the crossover and SUV segments to this very car. It had everything necessary for that with its 4-wheel drive and fairly high frame. Honestly, I think it looks rather charming even by today’s standards. Sure, nothing like a slick European station wagon, but impressive in its own way.

The poster minivan – Dodge Caravan

We don’t see many minivans nowadays. The niche has shrunk tremendously in the past decade, largely due to SUVs. And yet, minivans were the poster examples of the American dream. They embodied your success – you had a big family, you owned a house, you bought a minivan.

In light of that, there is no better minivan example than the very Dodge Caravan. Though we could also mention Plymouth (or Chrysler) Voyager, which were essentially the same car. The first generation sold incredibly well with over a million vehicles bought. Funny enough, when Chrysler was researching public demand, people considered the sketches of Dodge Caravan to be super ugly. Seems like that did not matter much, as we now view it as one of the most iconic US cars ever.

The granddaddy of pickups – Ford F1

ford

Pickups are the muscle cars of America’s workhorse vehicles. They scream “proud to be American” like nothing else. That all started with the first generation of Ford F-series, and more precisely – Ford F1. It may have little to do with modern pickup designs, but it carries their spirit regardless.

Objectively, the F1 is rather small. Yet it paved the way for monsters like Dodge Ram and Ford Raptor. People cherish it even now, with its price being close to that of classic muscles. It does look quite cute, so if you are in the market for a non-sporty vintage car, consider Ford F1!

Riding in style – Iconic luxury classics

Whether you look at modern vehicles or at vintage cars, the luxury segment always has something special to show. Many aspects of it are timeless, and some classics would be considered luxury by our standards too. Let’s see the most iconic examples that America has to show here!

The one fit for presidents – Lincoln Continental

As a car company, Ford has pioneered and pushed forward many types of vehicles. On top of that, many of its Lincoln cars are worthwhile classics in general. And yet, the Continental is the best example of what high-class cars should look like.

This is not one of those vehicles that you look forward to driving – with it you would need a chauffeur. Just sitting in one of those will make you feel important. No wonder that many other luxury cars were trying to be more like Lincoln Continental. Making one feel like a president sounds like a good selling point.

When you fancy something slick – Cadillac Eldorado

If you were not meant to drive the last car, this one is a whole another story. It is a very personal vehicle, which made people feel like rock stars. In fact, this car made Cadillac famous throughout the world. In many places, the marque’s name is synonymous with luxury because of it. Obviously, “iconic” is a well-deserved description.

Old-school futurism – Oldsmobile Toronado

I bet that most people have not heard of the Toronado. However, as we have mentioned in our post on the end of Oldsmobile, this company had had many great achievements. The Toronado model perfectly embodies their very future-minded philosophy.

The problem with this car is that it may have been too unique for its own good. Later on, Oldsmobile changed the design to fit with its competition. In my opinion, they just watered down what had been a great aesthetic. Nonetheless, it is iconic, because it represents the very American ideal of innovation and grand dreams!

What other iconic classic cars should we remember?

People have different vintage models that they love. Maybe you wanted to see some Buicks on the list. Or perhaps you are worried that I have not mentioned Pontiac at all. Well, we can always come up with another post to showcase more of the great American models.

What should those be though? There are many old vehicles that I like, but I am eager to learn about some others too. If you have a model that is close to your heart, be sure to mention it. Perhaps I will cover it one day!

The post America’s most iconic classic cars appeared first on Altered Steel.

Of course, people enjoy vintage autos for various reasons. If you talk to them though, almost all of them have a sense of respect for the car’s past. We cannot really say classics are objectively better than modern vehicles. And yet… it often feels like they are, even if it is in a sense that we cannot describe.

So, as it is with anything sacred, modernizing it will always be controversial. We explored part of that with our article on cars that have the classic look with a modern heart. However, it is still not clear: how can you preserve those vehicles? Is any modern solution going to work? Should we even want it to work? Join me in exploring just one such solution to see if saving the classics is an impossible task!

An introduction to vehicle-related 3D printing

The uses of 3D printing have spread across multiple domains already. It was only a matter of time before they also hit the car industry. And yet, most people have a pretty skewed view of 3D printing. We have been bombarded with examples of 3D-printed plastic objects, so we assume this is all there is to it. Not the case!

Firstly, 3D printing can now use a large variety of materials. Secondly, when we talk about 3D printing use in cars, we do not mean printing out an entire car. While likely viable in the future, the practical uses of 3D printing are currently a bit different.

Instead of producing an entire car, 3D printing takes on a simpler task. Through it, we can print out parts or even pieces of parts that are necessary to manufacture a vehicle. This is especially useful in situations, where a car manufacturer has no financial incentive to keep producing parts for their older vehicles. Though it goes even further than that.

Here are some examples of how 3D printing is currently being used by auto manufacturers:

• Faster prototyping. To anyone familiar with the vehicle design process, prototyping is one of the key steps. In the past, it happened fairly slowly and had many drawbacks. Nowadays, it allows for much faster vehicle development through the help of 3D-printed prototypes (often up to scale!)
• Experimenting with specialized parts. To cut down on costs, manufacturers have to re-use platforms and parts throughout their lineup. With 3D printing that may become unnecessary. Right now, they are mainly employing it for high-performance small-batch parts, but it can one day be extended to virtually all vehicle components.
• Custom vehicle additions. 3D printing gives us the freedom to fit an already existing car with custom parts. Or in other words – it allows for easy bodywork tunings. Considering how much we care about customizing our vehicles, it will probably become a serious selling point soon.
• Metal artwork. Believe it or not, manufacturers are relying on 3D printing to create pieces of art. Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 is a concept model that serves as the perfect example. Many of its decorative pieces have been impossible to make prior to 3D printing in metal.
• Making manufacturing easier. Aside from printing out components, manufacturers also print out tools for manufacturing. This is one step removed from actually affecting the cars, but still allows for cheaper construction.

Obviously, 3D printing goes beyond what most of us have seen. We can easily recognize its merits in modern-day manufacturing. The issue comes when such practices become commonplace when dealing with classics. Let’s have a look!

How 3D printing can affect classic cars

What makes the classic car market special is the scarcity. Not only of the vehicles but also of the parts. That requires you to think twice about how you treat your vintage car. You cannot simply drive it around in bad weather with complete disregard for it. Or at least you should not.

Sadly, regardless of how careful you are, parts eventually break. Through a bit of ingenuity, people have come up with solutions for many such occasions. Sometimes it comes down to salvaging parts from other cars. At other times experts would tweak things a bit to make a different part work with your model. No matter what you do though, you are not relying on newly made components. Until now.

With 3D printing, we can virtually stop worrying about any given part breaking. We can print everything – from the biggest bumper to the smallest bolt. Has your classic car been hit? No worries, print out a new fender. The brakes are acting up? You have 3D printing for that. Vehicle maintenance has never been easier!

This has plenty of positives about it. It makes the classics niche more accessible to people. No longer does it need to be such an exclusive hobby. As for the veteran enthusiasts – they get to enjoy their cars without having to worry too much about them. Sadly though, as with many other things, this also has its dark sides.

When 3D printing devalues vintage cars

Knowing that your classic vehicle has a chance to live another day is exciting. It shaves away the subtle worry that something might happen to it. Even if it does, now you can easily take care of it. Sure, it may cost you a bit, but so what? At least you have your car back!

However, that begs the question: how far can we go with that? At some point, we are bound to cross the line of manufacturing a completely new “classic”. What does that say about the future of automotive history? If we can fabricate vintage cars so easily, their value becomes less apparent.

If you have a nice old Studebaker you know those cars will no longer be made. That makes it special, even more so than when it came out. In fact, cars that have been considered “duds” are now an excellent addition to any classic car collection. Yet with such an easy way to get them anew… Will they remain special?

Even if you put eccentric examples aside, the same applies to any old automobile. I imagine that at some point we will have to put in some legislation to keep things in line. It should not be hard to justify it either, considering car design is also intellectual property. Yet even if we do not print out entire vehicles, there is one more giant problem coming…

Does 3D printing jeopardize the authenticity of classic cars?

When such issues occur, many people like to play the nonchalance card. They may enjoy the classic car niche, but see nothing wrong with what people do with their cars. Fair enough. However, we do not live in a vacuum.

If you think that using such technologies will not become an issue, you may be wrong. You can learn how to use 3D printing to save our classic cars. So can anybody else, even if you do not want to personally engage in such things. What does that mean? The classic car market will likely face vehicles with 3D-printed parts soon.

At first glance, there is no issue. Your car, your rules, right? What happens if you want to resell it though? If people know that 3D-printed components will reduce their vehicle’s value, they may not want to mention it. Plus, we will likely not be able to tell that easily. This may open a whole new can of worms…

The classics market has always run on mutual trust. While all markets do so, there is a sense of camaraderie with vintage vehicles. I know that you likely share my passion and deep care for such vehicles. This is why I expect you to treat them properly. And yet… It is tough knowing that a part broke with no “traditional” way to fix it. In that sense, I understand why some people would like to keep their cars running through modern means.

No matter how we look at it, we will soon have to face this problem. I have not found a single solution to it. The most likely outcome seems to be a simple acceptance. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, smells like a duck, and walks like a duck… Well, let’s agree to call it a duck. Or a classic vehicle part, in our case. Though even so, some of us will never be okay with that.

Should we use 3D printing with a classic vehicle?

As someone who cherishes the spirit of old vehicles, I can see both sides of the issue. On the one hand, I realize that we are bound to hit time with hardly any spare parts. Such shortage has already been noticed for some vehicles. On the other hand, if we keep modernizing the classics, are they even classics anymore?

Of course, much of this discussion relies on the type of philosophy we want to employ. Perhaps we should disconnect ourselves from the idea that classics can never be restored through modern means. Though some may say that the value lies in the very fact that we cannot bring things back to life. Or does it?

What do you think? Is 3D printing an answer to preserving our classic cars? Would you like a classic vehicle, even if it is modernized? What about a completely 3D-printed one? My only concern is that we will devalue the entire segment in the eyes of future generations. To me, that seems like quite the loss. But let us hope that I am wrong!

The post Saving our classic cars with 3D printing appeared first on Altered Steel.

Oldsmar, a small city located on the northern tip of Tampa Bay in Florida, is living proof of what a single man can achieve. Named after its creator R.E. Olds, Oldsmar today is one of the safest and coziest places to live in Florida. Even though 2000 marked the end of the Oldsmobile, the first historic achievement of Olds, his other creation, Oldsmar, continues to live and prosper to this day.

How did Oldsmar begin?

In 1913, at the age of 52, after living for most of his life in Michigan, R.E. Olds moved to Daytona Beach. He was enchanted by the warm and relaxing beach lifestyle of Florida, so he decided that he wanted to leave a legacy in the Sunshine state.

A bold idea required brave action. The audacious entrepreneur sold some valuable real estate in order to buy 37,541 acres of land for around $400,000 (or the equivalent of $10 million today). He wanted to build a city, a real community. Olds already had a vision and a plan for it.

What was R.E. Olds vision for Oldsmar?

“Oldsmar for Health, Wealth, and Happiness.” This was the slogan used to attract residents and investors in Oldsmar. This motto explains a lot about what R.E. Olds dreamt the city would represent. He wanted to build a community of workers, not just of wealthy people, who would cooperate and enjoy their family lives.

With wide tree-lined boulevards and road names such as Congress or Jefferson, Oldsmar resembled the Washington DC city plan. It was also designed and built by some of the best Boston engineers.

At some point,  he also wanted to build a golf course and a luxury hotel to attract visitors, but this plan was unsuccessful. Instead, the city received its first inn: Wayside Inn, which became a central landmark for Oldsmar. A casino and even a horse racetrack became part of the community, as the city’s population grew. Yet, even though R.E. Olds has envisioned Oldsmar to have 100,000 residents during his lifetime, the population only reached 200 – a stretch too far from his vision.

Considering that R.E. Olds had spent almost $5 million in investments for the city, he must have left disappointed of not making it grow as in his dreams. In fact, he lost $3 million more in the process of selling some of his land and properties there.

What is Oldsmar like today?

It is true that in the past Oldsmar has been a part of a few different scandals, especially during the time of Harry E. Prettyman, when charges of fraudulent sales made the headlines. However, today, Oldsmar is a cozy small town surrounded by farmlands. The city population has grown throughout the years, and as of 2019, counted around 15,000 inhabitants.

Some small businesses have decided to invest in the area, opening restaurants, cafes, and shops. But also larger firms such as Nielsen Media Research has chosen Oldsmar to place its main offices and increase local employment. Oldsmar has its own website, where any resident or visitor can find useful information on events or city services. Definitely, this place has come a long way from its inception.

So, is Olsdmar a failed dream or a long-lived heritage of R.E.Olds?

While there have been attempts to change the name of Oldsmar to Tampa Shores, they were unsuccessful. Probably because they were not representative of the city’s identity and origin.

Even though the city had its ups and downs, it has managed to thrive, while providing employment and safety for its people. Most importantly, every year, Oldsmar celebrates its origins and history during different city events, honoring its founder R.E. Olds.

This shows that although in the short term, R.E. Olds may have not fully completed his vision of a large city, the fact that a town carrying his name has lived to this day is evidence of his long-lived heritage. Because, after all, dreams have their own ways of eventually becoming true, following curious paths.

Have you heard of Oldsmar before? Are you also inspired, like me, to pay this little city a visit? Who knows, one day, you might find yourself driving your epic wheels on an epic road trip to Florida.

The post Oldsmar: A failed dream or long-lived heritage of R.E. Olds? appeared first on Altered Steel.