talesofcars

I found myself looking out my front window recently, watching neighbors across the street moving there cars around.  If I had to guess they have to be in their early 70’s.  There is the Civic and Galant that are always present, as well as the bottomed out Mercury Sable which makes an occasional appearance.  But then, hidden in the garage is what appears to be their pride and joy - an early 90’s Olds Cutlass Ciera coupe?  It rarely comes out, and it looks as though its been kept in perfect condition…and I find myself wondering…why?

 Thinking back I can think of three times in my life that I have heard refer to the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera as a Cadillac…I really don’t see how that confusion can even exist.  First was around I guess 1988, when I was in grade school.  Now I went to a REALLY small school.  I remember all of the teachers running to the window, and acting all excited about the new car that our sorry excuse of a principal got, it was like an 1988 Cutlass Ciera Coupe.  Sort of yellow, with the fake carriage top and the “chrome” luggage rack on the trunk.  The teachers were all amazed on how she got a Cadillac, and at like 11 years old I said “It’s an Oldsmobile.”

Then in 1993 my father found himself the owner of a brand new Cutlass Ciera S.  He handed down to me his 1986 Pontiac 6000…it was free so I took it with no complaints.  My mother referred to the Olds as “Their Cadillac.”  I said to her, Mom its the same car as the 6000…literally, just a few minor differences.  She didn’t get it.  Then I recall around that same time period, using the Olds to drive to school when the 6000 broke down.  And my friends mother thought I was picking her son up in a Cadillac…she said Cadillac…?

 Frankly, the Cutlass Ciera was a basic car in my mind. I never thought to compare it to a Cadillac.  I guess people who are now in their 70’s were used to driving the bare bones cars of the 60’s and 70’s and the thought of velour seats and a drivers seat that had a power recline function was about as luxurious as it gets.  You know what, sometimes I wish it could be that simple again.  But as it stands right now, I don’t see anything getting compared to a Cadillac. 

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