Wow !

WOW!..... the cult cars!

There are cars that turn your head and there are those that every American male dreams about owning and taking on the back road to Cripple Creek.... Sorry, that's a tough analogy for anyone east of the Mississippi.

Then there are true cult cars. The Cobra, vintage MG's, Post War Jags and a few others. Cult cars turn heads, generate clubs, are the basis for replicas and have recognition far beyond their original manufactured numbers.

There are near cults such as the Studebaker, Corvette and Jeep. These all have a large following willing to invest their retirement funds to enjoy the breed. But, don't call them cult cars.

There are clubs for those that own 50's vintage Ramblers or similar. You can almost picture these guys hiding behind their full beard, marching against the Vietnam war just like when they were still a professor at XYZ University. Ramblers are not cult cars.

As for the Rambler, the most distinguishing feature I can remember was their introduction and touting of the benefits of the reclining seat. That alone should have raised it to cult status but amazingly it never caught on as a kid car!! Perhaps there is a connection between Rambler collectors and their childhood memories on the reclining seat.

I have difficulty even considering the Corvette in the cult class. Perhaps this is because Corvettes are so available that they just blend in with every other 4 wheels with an engine design on the highway. Nice car but they don't cause trips to the chiropractor from rapid neck moves.

Although 50 year old Studebakers and Avanti's turn heads because their styling was decades ahead of the rest of the automotive industry, they fail to reach the appeal that would make every male dream of one taking a parking space in his suburban 2 car garage. While they have appreciated in value, due to the quantity produced they remain affordable today.

My soft spot for Studebakers come from my first car, a 1955 4 door Studebaker President with the same color scheme as the 1955 President Speedster above. I would love to have that car back today. It had been equipped with hand controls and air brakes (this was pre-power brakes) for my father who had lost the use of his legs to polio.

As for the Jeep, it only turns heads of the insiders that understand all the aftermarket modifications that define the Jeep as a depreciating money pit rather than a unique piece of original design where value is enhanced by restoration/preservation to original condition.

The reach of cult cars is beyond the universe that ever owned or might expect to own one. Take the Cobra for example.... more replicas of this car have been built than originals. Imagine paying $40,000 for a replica of a Rambler!

Just the sight of a cult car and something in testosterone says "I must look and touch ..... and want to drive!"

Picture Credits:

* 1958 Rambler Ambassado, Kim and Jill from WA AMC Rambler Club http://www.amcrc.com/

** Shelby AC CSX Cobra, http://www.shelbyamerican.com/

*** 1955 Studebaker President Speedster, Dale Truitt,Speedster Gallery, http://www.pavy.com/interests/cars/speedstergallery/truittspeedster.html