What a difference a generation makes. On Sunday, we went over to the Tour de Wangers, an annual car show put on by Jim Wangers, the Godfather of the GTO. In his mid 80's, he still gets around pretty good, and is a link to the past, he really was there, and is a treasure trove of history and anecdotes.
Jim was in advertising in the sixties when GM was the largest corporation in the world. Chevy alone sold over 2.5 million cars annually, about what GM does now in total, and they had over 50% of the market. They used to complain "they were losing one of every two car sales." And the US government talked of breaking them up due to anti-trust laws. Jim got tied in with a rising young GM exec, John De Lorean, who was making his mark at Pontiac. Together they took the muscle car market into new territory, putting a big engine in a smaller, lighter body. Not a new concept, but never done to this degree, and never marketed so well. And within a model year, all GM divisions, Ford, and Chrysler all had big engines in lighter cars, and the Muscle Car race was on. And Jim Wangers was right in the middle of it, he became its heart and soul for Pontiac.
We got to see many GTO's from 64-70, representing what any red, white, and blue young man wanted when young. Judges, a special model based on a Laugh In joke, "here's comes da judge," painted in bright colors, and with all the high performance goodies. There were Firebirds there too, one like Cathy's 1967 convertible. A four speed, red-of course, with the 400 engine, and slicker than snot. And fast. Had the hood mounted tach. And when she banged it into second, would have to find some nice guy to get under the car and dislodge the shift linkage that had gotten stuck. It idled rough, got terrible gas mileage, and leaked in the rain. But from 0-60, put a smile on your face every time. Unless you were running against her.
These were the cars of Jim Wangers, and his advertising genius. GTO tigers were sold in anything from perfume to Thom McAn shoes. A marketing blitz all based on one model of car, one that broke with GM corporate dictum of the day, and helped propel both Jim and John to legendary status. And just as sought after today as they were 45 years ago.
You see when you turned the key, it fired off the starter, not a computer. When you gave it gas, the venturis opened on the carbs, not activate the fuel injectors. You had to replace and adjust points, not download a new tune to the ECM. You actually had to drive the car, instead of point and steer. No ABS, ESP, cruise, or any electronic enhancements. Just man and machine, and maybe that is why we get emotional about them today. We could relate to them.
A few years back BMW came out and was proud of the fact that you could recycle most of their car. So much for collectability, and so much for emotions. The ultimate driving machine, their words, not mine, has become an electronic showcase, and when new technology comes out, will make the new one more efficient to drive, but not necessarily more fun. Put it in D, and the computer learns your driving habits, and shifts accordingly. Traction control prevents burnouts-remember the fun of smoking the tires? And impressing your friends? Technology rules the day, and progress quite probably, a good thing, has gone on for too long. Fortunately men like Jim Wangers, and others who made the history are still around. But what happens when that generation dies, and the scholars rewrite history? I hear stories today of how things were in the 70's, and it doesn't match my recollection, and I was there! Anything to sell a book, or to get across your agenda, and any tweaking of facts to fit the occasion has become OK. And we are the worse, not better for it. Grace Slick sang 45 years ago in "Somebody to Love," "when the truth is found, to be a lie...and all the joy within you dies...don't you want somebody to love?"
And the answer is we do. Not something, as Jim's advertising led us to believe, but a somebody. Someone who will listen to our problems, answer our questions, and tell us the truth. In love. And that someone is only found in Jesus Christ. He had no ad campaign, and only used 12, then 11 itinerant and untrained ambassadors to spread the gospel. But the funny thing about truth, is it sustains itself, and long after lies have tried to replace it, the truth stands. Many doubted Jesus to be God then,and the cults do now. But the truth of his existence, and his resurrection, and his changing of lives still continues today. In fact, more than ever. Just as He promised. And the question of the day is, are you part of the promise, and the promised today? Have you found the peace, love, joy, and security only Jesus can offer? Do you recognize his deity?
Or are you into the latest i-pod god, who promises you to have access to more music, more Face book, and along with it more stress, and charges you for it-monthly? Are you seeking love in something, when really it is found in someone? We all need someone to love. And He loved us first-can you beat that?
Jim Wangers will always be the Godfather of the GTO, and rightly so. He was there at the beginning, was part of the action, and knew the players personally. He was a player. History still records it, and he confirms it. Just like Jesus. He was there at the beginning, was the integral part of the action, knew the players and was the main one. History records it, archaeology proves it, and His spirit confirms it today. And even His titles, prove who He is-not was.
Just a car-don't say that to Jim and his followers. Just a man/rabbi/teacher-that won't fly in the face of truth. Jesus is who he said he was-the Son of God.
Thanks for the memories, Jim, of a time and a car, and people. It is sad you outlived your creation. But thanks be unto Jesus for a future and a hope. He too will outlive His creation, but the choice is yours. Apply now, the future is sooner than you remember.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
