In America, cars have always been associated with affluence. Early in the days of the automobile, only the wealthy could own cars, since they were prohibitively expensive. It wasn’t until mass production began, which lowered prices significantly, that cars were placed in the reach of average Americans.
Falling prices did not cheapen the value of cars. Not the monetary value, of course, but the symbolic value.
Early cars had served primarily as playthings for the wealthy. No roads existed for them to travel on. Short drives were the norm, due to the lack of roads and mechanical limitations of the cars themselves. Continue reading ….
