Saturday, November 13, 2010

As Time Goes By

Oh, when I see these glorious old automobiles parked around town, they look just like time travelers. They lounge against curbs the way Veronica Lake leaned against a bar. The sunlight sparkles from their fenders like the glint flashed from Barbara Stanwyck's anklet in Double Indemnity. They're more than cars, they're the steel and chrome relics of a past we can no longer visit. Like the elusive Maltese Falcon, they're "the stuff that dreams are made of..."

And you're telling me they actually need gas? That they don't run on the internal combustion of 1940s femme fatales and timing of classic Bogart quotes? They aren't really apparitions materializing from a former era -- not noir joyriders from an alternative monochrome dimension? I'm supposed to believe that they aren't driven by the spirits of Chandler and Cain but, instead, by a guy wearing Dockers and a shirt from the Gap? There's probably not even a flask in the glove box. Probably just the insurance and registration.

Sigh.

9 comments:

Mister Earl said...

Amazing sighting! You're not supposed to see them getting gassed up. Like seeing a starlet putting on makeup. Great commentary.

Judy Williams said...

This has to be a vintage 40's something-or-other. I'm not up on the real old ones like the newer 60's and 70's muscle cars. But there is certainly a place for these black gems!! I love the juxtaposition between the guy and the car. It's as if he's encouraging it with his hand.

Spotting this was quite a find!

Auntie S said...

Wonderful photo and writing! It's just the ticket for a joy ride you took me on seeing clips from the classic films of Humphrey Bogart, Barbara Stanwyck, etc..

I'm feeling good, thank you!

Dixie Jane said...

I am not even an aficionado of old cars but I am guessing that this one is a Plymouth from the 1930s. No cars were made during the war years. I say this because my parents had a gray one (named Beaulah). It must have been older because it had a cloth top that blew off in a strong wind one day.

dbdubya said...

This may be my favorite of all the photos of old cars you've posted. Beautiful shot of a beautiful antique that fortunately has not been modified.

Laurie Allee said...

I was tempted to follow this car, DB!

TheChieftess said...

Fabulous car...fabulous shot...love the guy giving his baby a little love!!!

And how did you know that Double Indemnity is one of my absolute favorites??? And then the Maltese Falcon??? Now I'm gonna have to swing over to Netflix!!!

Laurie Allee said...

Chieftess, two of my faves, too. Add To Have and Have Not and throw in All About Eve and we've covered several of my top ten films of all time!

TheChieftess said...

I'll bring the popcorn!!!