BEST CARS
BABY BOOMERS : BORN TO DRIVE In 1955 , Baby Boomers on both sides of the Atlantic swayed to the rhythm of Bill Haley & His Comets ’ “ Rock Around the Clock .” In their hands were the steering wheels of iconic cars of the safeera : the American Chevrolet Bel Air , the European Ford Consul and the Volkswagen Beetle . These vehicles were of high style and reflected the times – sleek , flashy and full of personality . But when it came to safety ? Well , that was a different story . Brake lights were often an afterthought , dual windshield wipers were considered a luxury and the concept of crumple zones or airbags ? “ They weren ’ t even on the radar ,” John adds . “ And as for navigation , forget any high-tech systems . Drivers relied on memory or , at best , a street map book stashed in the glove compartment .” It was a time when the thrill of the open road outweighed any concerns for safety features , a time when cars were all about freedom and the promise of new adventures .
“ The Boomers witnessed the dawn of a new era in driving ,” John explains . With the introduction of alternators , power steering and air conditioning , cars became more reliable and significantly more comfortable . John highlights , “ It was an era when cars became symbols of freedom and adventure , capturing the spirit of the age in chrome and steel .”
“ FOR BABY BOOMERS IT WAS A TIME WHEN THE THRILL OF THE OPEN ROAD OUTWEIGHED ANY SAFETY CONCERNS ”
JOHN LEWIS , HEAD OF PRODUCT STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT , VWFS
GENERATION X : THE AGE OF SAFETY By 1972 , as the Carpenters picked up their Grammy , Americans navigated the roads in Chevrolet Impalas , while Europeans remained faithful to the classic Volkswagen Beetle . It was the era that began to prioritise safety . “ Gen X saw developments grounded in better safety for drivers ,” John notes , “ with three-point seatbelts , head restraints and low-speed bumpers becoming more common and the introduction of anti-lock braking systems .”
Still , safety was far from standard . Many of these features were optional and automotive safety standards were a distant cry from today ’ s rigorous requirements . Yet , the ‘ 70s marked the dawn of a new era in automotive safety , as regulations tightened and technologies like airbags paved the way for safer roads .
118 November 2024