"PLASTICS"
Posted on 01/17/2025 6:29:12 AM PST by Red Badger
[PICS AT LINK. CAN'T POST: GETTY]
As wildfires continue devastating California, silver linings are hard to come by. People have died, homes have been lost, and, sadly, those statistics could still rise. Bright spots are few and far between, though it’s important to take them when you can find them—however small they may be.
A shocking amount of street-parked vintage cars made it out seemingly unscathed, and as cliche as it sounds, it’s because they just don’t make ’em like they used to.
Pontiac Firebird. Justin Sullivan for Getty Images That expression is overused and often incorrect, but it applies here. These vintage cars, excellently captured by Getty photojournalist Justin Sullivan, still sit in front of burned-down homes, almost entirely unharmed. A few have some light scorching, and one Oldsmobile Cutless is a bit melty at the back, but the majority of them are fine. Ironically, almost all of the vintage cars in these photos are American, save for the one lonely Volkswagen Beetle. While there are likely several factors that saved these cars from fiery demise, one factor is that they’re made entirely from metal and glass on the outside.
Modern cars are much safer in a crash than vintage ones; it’s almost frightening, really. But your old uncle’s complaints about modern cars being made of plastic ring true here. Without plastic fender flares, body cladding, or fake vents, there was nothing on these cars to melt or catch fire. And because of that, they were saved from the extreme heat and wind-swept flames. At least their exteriors were; who knows what they’re like under their hoods or behind their doors.
Could these cars have been saved by circumstance? The winds pushing the fire away from them, concrete barriers separating them from the flames, or the fire being extinguished before it reached them? Of course. I’m not saying you can drive a vintage car through the inferno and be guaranteed to come out the other side. But when we’ve seen so many cars damaged, melted, and lit ablaze over the past week, it’s remarkable to see these cars survive while sitting so close to the hellish aftermath.
There are some great cars, here, too. An old custom Shoebox Ford, a second-gen Ford Falcon, a Plymouth Belvedere, the aforementioned Volkswagen Beetle, and an ultra-cool AMC Hornet Sportabout wagon are among the classic survivors. They’re cars whose beauty, coolness, and smile factor make the world a better place. We’re grateful to see them stick around a little while longer.
There isn’t a complete home left standing behind any of these cars. Their owners almost certainly lost everything but their cars in the fire. No one will blame them for ignoring any solace in their vintage cars’ survival, nor would anyone blame them for rejoicing about still having something, either. Having anything at all to take away from this nightmare is a win, even if it’s a small one. And these vintage cars can provide those little wins for their owners.
LOL - looking at the photo of the 1988 grey cutlass supreme.
My Dad had exactly this car (he’s since passed away) and the car is now sitting in my brother’s garage.
It only has 40K miles, but it leaks like a sieve.
I’d be willing to bet the number of Ferrari’s lost was extensive.
They have been reliable long term investments for the CA rich.
Made in America baby!
That VW Micro Bus gives Me Hope!
I had an 89 Cutlass Supreme. Rebuilt the engine and it ran like a top! Smooth as silk..............
A wonderful collection it does the heart good to see when style in autos existed and not the potato in a wind tunnel design like todays cars.
It is a collection of total integrity in a seemingly unlikely location. They have a library for all the documentation. The entry fee for the works is only $5. My only complaint is a decided lack of muscle cars and pickup trucks.
The coolest thing was that they let me get on my back and slide underneath a few. The work is impeccable in every detail. Yet I did come out with transmission oil in my hair. :-)
Cars are cool.
So intact are the old cars, that while plastic cars melted, the tires these (posed) cars remain unscathed.
Agree it’s a great place not far just north of Los Angeles about 40 miles.
Things to buy when the lottery pays off.
“All These Vintage Cars Survived California Fires Because They’re Not Made of Plastic”
That will not do at all. California is just going to have to ban them, or tax them to death at least. Climate change, or something.
‘Potatoe’ Cars ! Ha!
.
I callem’ JELLY BEANS 🫘
And as you can tell, these aren't new cars.
Yuppers!
I was in Poway or Mission Village then.
Yeah that too
Sorry. He lost me when he called the AMC Hornet Sportabout wagon “ultra cool.” We owned one, back in the day.
I was in Rancho Bernardo living in a hotel. (Working a contract job that paid for the hotel)
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