WHEN Did Car Cars Get So Boring?

For awhile now, I've noticed that cars today in general are boring, inside AND out. I mean look inside a Tesla EV and there is little more to look at than a Model T. You pick an interior of stark white or black that are quite firm. Sure, I'll be told that the center mounted tablet controls the car. It can do all kinds of wiz bang things so appearances aren't everything. I prefer buttons not numerous screens to make it move.

BYD Seal Sedan, one of their best sellers

Clearly after riding in about 12 Chinese EV's last year in China, YOU can have it both ways ... a center
mounted tablet that is truly amazing and information shown in front of you as cars have done for a 100 years. Their insides are roomier, quieter with every accessory you would ever need front and back. The Tesla we rode it truly felt like a Model T in comparison. Only Buick makes a nice EV station wagon they don't sell here. There's a reason we ban Chinese EV's, they would wipe out the American car industry!

1934 Auburn

I've gone to several McCormick Auctions held in Palm Springs in February and November since moving here. A three day event, people bring their old and recent cars to be auctioned. Fridays are free to the public while Saturday and Sunday are reserved for auctioning. There's something for everyone, believe me. I relive growing up in the 50's amidst cars, sedans, convertibles grandma drove that were  bigger than my 2003 GMC extended cab pickup. I stand in awe looking at cars family and friends drove while looking at British and Italian cars sold at the same time. They'd fit in the bed of the truck.

The bigger surprise is color, inside and out! Yellow, turquoise, pink and blue and white Buicks, Chevy's, Fords, Mercury's and even Cadillacs in pink! Or pink, white and black Dodge Coronets. Who can ever forget Vermillion and white Oldsmobile's with matching interiors?

1959 Ford Thunderbird

Today all you see are white, silver, battleship grey ( I guess that's the compromise between black and white) and black. In fact the most popular car colors of 2024 were: 1. White; 2. Black, 3. Grey, 4. Silver with equally boring black, grey or beige interiors.

There are arguments that Gray, Silver and Tan/Beige hide dust and dirt. I can agree with that. I could go a long time before needing to wash my tan 1971 BMW 1600. It came with a saddle interior that contrasted nicely. But when my forest green pickup with a dead grey flesh color fabric was stolen shortly after moving to Palm Springs I bought a Soul Red Mazda CX-5 that glitters in the sun. However, that doesn't seem to deter seniors from trying to hit me. It has a black interior that hid the black hair of my Lab when she was alive. I really wanted the dove gray, the only other option but I had to be reasonable.

Corvette Interior. Maybe not as safe but
what color and function!

Ironically the colors that show dirt the most are black, charcoal gray dark blue, burgundy, dark green and WHITE. Since this is the desert white is by far the favorite color. But, gray is catching up with a plethora of grays that range from pleasant to ugly. If I didn't love Mazda's reds, tans would be best here. Windy just about all the time, tan hides the ever present dust.

From the Mid-Century capital of the world however, these colors are a cop out. I'm finally in the 7th season of MAD MEN and am constantly amazed at how colorful we once were. They depict Palm Springs, Los Angeles and NYC from the late 50's to mid 70's and it
was certainly a lot more colorful than it is now. So, the question remains, "when did we become so boring about color?"

A plethoraof white, black and grey

Anyone familiar with my ETSY store knows I am not shy about color!!!

 Thank you for reading my blog. I invite you to take the time to read earlier blogs where my emphasis is to explore the ways art and design affects our daily lives ... and always has. I share with you what inspires me with the hope that it will inspire you as well. Comments are always welcomed!    

Be sure to visit my ETSY store ... KrugsStudio.etsy.com. I am adding many new and exciting, collectible birdhouses and craft items. Many of the items talked about here will be for sale there!