They are referred to as Orphan Cars, cars that are not made anymore. Just a short decade ago that meant great makes like Hudson, Studebaker, Packard, Kaiser, and Frazers, all makes that died in the fifties. But in 2001, Oldsmobile joined the ranks, with Plymouth quickly following. And this year alone, three more joined them-Mercury, Saturn, and Pontiac. Cars either absorbed into the corporate line and not wanted, or in Saturn's case, an experiment that never paid off.
Fast forward 10 years to an old car show, with a grandpa walking with his 15 year old grandson. Both are what we used to call gear heads, they have a love of cars, and grandpa looks back to when cars were cars, and they told a lot about the guys who drove them.
"Grandpa, what's a Pontiac?" "They used to make cars, great cars, back in the fifties and sixties. They started in 1926 as a companion make of a GM make, Oakland, and soon outsold them. But in the late fifties, they started a "Wide Track"campaign, and were an early part of NASCAR and NHRA racing."
"Then in 1962, they took a coupe, and took off most of the chrome, added their famous 8-lug wheels, custom tail lights, and the Grand Prix was born. Boy we envied the guys that had one, luxury with performance. Then in 1964, a young, up and coming GM exec named DeLorean broke corporate edict, and put a big motor in a smaller body, and the first GTO was born. Car and Driver even did a comparison with the Ferrari GTO, and it beat it! 0 to 100 to 0 it was faster. And throughout the sixties, the letters GTO meant performance. Goats we called them, and they were fast! And so popular there was even a singing group, the GTO's! Songs, Little GTO, and GTO Tigers were used in anything from selling Thom McAn shoes to cologne."
"I remember 1969 when the Grand Prix was redesigned, long hood, short trunk, and anyone who was anyone up and coming had one. 428 cubic inches, luxury with high performance, you could even get a stick-a manual four on the floor! They also came out with the first Trans Am, built for a race series, with the SCCA getting $5 per each car sold as a royalty. My friend Lucio had a '72, the first car I ever went 120 in! I can still picture that air scoop sticking out through the hood, and the tach on the hood! A race car for the street! And when they sold 100,000 of them in the seventies, remember Smokey and the Bandit, they made serious money, before NASCAR became an entertainment business, instead of racing. Yep, Pontiac sure made some great cars. My friend Timmy in high school, always had access to one, his family owned Maxon Pontiac in Union, the world's largest Pontiac dealer. Boy, I miss the good, ole days."
Another grandpa and grandson are out for a walk. Circa 2020. "Grandpa, today in class we were talking about religion in America, and our teacher told us how the US of A was started, but told how the separation of church and state had changed that today. When we asked questions, she said to ask our grandparents, as they could tell how it was before going to church was frowned upon, and the government took away our freedom to worship. I think she is a Christian like us, but can't say-she doesn't want to lose her job like Mr. Benson did last year for telling about Jesus. Even though he shared it from an historical perspective, he talked about Him, one of the things forbidden under the new education program. What was it like 10 years ago before they abandoned Jesus, and made it a crime?"
"I think we all never thought it would happen, but it did. The Muslims came in, and no one thought to ask what their belief system really was. And because of our freedom of religion heritage, they were able to grow. And soon, they grew so big they were a media and also a financial presence, then they had to be reckoned with. And soon, through lies and deception, they changed the rules, and Jesus and his followers were the bad guys. No more freedom of religion, as you know today they preach freedom from religion. As long as you believe like them, and talk about world peace, not telling how they mean when all Christians are gone. And peace sounds like a good thing... doesn't it? But true peace is always found in Jesus. That is why crime, rape, divorce, and drug use is out of control. God isn't allowed in schools, and now we have to hide in our homes, and meet secretly."
"Gee Grandpa, I wish I lived back then, those old churches look so neat, and I love to hear the old songs you guys sang."
"Me, too. But cling to Jesus, and don't let them find you reading your Bible. He's coming soon for us, to take us out of this world. Not soon enough for me...."
Who would ever have though Pontiac would not exist? Or that God would not be allowed in school? Or that the name of Jesus would be illegal? Can't happen here? It already is. And when we see broken homes, broken lives,and broken churches, society wonders why. Keep the main thing the main thing-Jesus. No other God before Him! Or you may be explaining to your grandson why you are an outlaw for Jesus? He was a good guy wasn't he? Don't be able to say "I remember the good ole days in church. Teaching, praying, singing, and fellowshipping. Sharing Jesus and seeing lives changed-boy I wish I could go back..."
So does Pontiac-and their devoted followers, makes you wonder huh? Jesus Christ-the son of God! Knowing Him told a lot about the people and the freedom we had in Him. Before He became an orphan in US religion. We need Him now-more than ever. Only in Him the good, ole days are here now! And there are no orphans in heaven. Seek Him while He may be found.
It is happening worldwide-and we may be next. Never say never. Support your local Jesus today.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
