The car was another importance aspect of California life, not just for the surfers, but for everybody. Not only was it an economic necessity to navigate the state's sprawling roads and freeways, but the car also became a social factor. You had to have wheels, and not just any clunker; you had to have something cool, something really "bitchin", which meant a great looking, great running car.
Cruising (prominently featured in the film American Graffiti), was a very popular and mostly male social ritual. The purpose?
Brooks had his sister's car, a brand new Honda Accord, for the evening event, which started at 7 pm. Our destination was a local popular night spot "Bottom Shelf". We arrived and entered the club. Jay was immediately impressed by a young lady, who was immediately impressed by the car, and the two of them left the club for a private cruise along the local shore, accompanied by Coney dogs and snow cones.
When Jay returned, I was ready to go with my date. When I returned, Jay was ready with his second date. The date-a-thon lasted until 6 am. the next day. Jay ended up with a total of 7 dates; I ended up with 12, but we both were totally Coney-dogged and snow-coned out. "It was a blast!"
Young males, in particular, coveted hot rods and "dragsters" such as Cudas (Plymouth Barracudas) propelled by huge engines. The importance of the car led to an automobile subculture that like the surfers, also had its own unique dress, language, and music.
The standard look for the hot rodders were greased, slick-backed hair ( Dixie Peach was a popular hair promade for this) and tight black pants (Think John Travolta in "Grease"). Hot Rod Magazine started (in 1947!), by two young enthusiasts of the sport,would go on to be standard reading for the speed-loving crowd.
Some hot rod slang were: skins=tires snowballs =white walls spooking or bombing =pleasure driving jack, stormer, screamer, and draggin' wagon =other names used for hot rods deuce =usually a 1932 Ford that's used for converting to a bomber stock =conventional car from the factory customizing, shaving, or stripping =removing the chrome, etc. from the stock car tails =coon or fox tails used decoratively gutting =removing upholstery, etc. from the interior spaghetti =excess chrome full house =engines souped up to the extreme drag or dragging =race between two or more cars from a standing start thingy, rail job, or slingshot =a hot rod designed soley for dragging
Cruising (prominently featured in the film American Graffiti), was a very popular and mostly male social ritual. The purpose?
- To show off a recently acquired or new car.
- To pick up chicks! (girls)
- To see and be seen
- Nothing else to do
Brooks had his sister's car, a brand new Honda Accord, for the evening event, which started at 7 pm. Our destination was a local popular night spot "Bottom Shelf". We arrived and entered the club. Jay was immediately impressed by a young lady, who was immediately impressed by the car, and the two of them left the club for a private cruise along the local shore, accompanied by Coney dogs and snow cones.
When Jay returned, I was ready to go with my date. When I returned, Jay was ready with his second date. The date-a-thon lasted until 6 am. the next day. Jay ended up with a total of 7 dates; I ended up with 12, but we both were totally Coney-dogged and snow-coned out. "It was a blast!"
Young males, in particular, coveted hot rods and "dragsters" such as Cudas (Plymouth Barracudas) propelled by huge engines. The importance of the car led to an automobile subculture that like the surfers, also had its own unique dress, language, and music.
The standard look for the hot rodders were greased, slick-backed hair ( Dixie Peach was a popular hair promade for this) and tight black pants (Think John Travolta in "Grease"). Hot Rod Magazine started (in 1947!), by two young enthusiasts of the sport,would go on to be standard reading for the speed-loving crowd.
Some hot rod slang were: skins=tires snowballs =white walls spooking or bombing =pleasure driving jack, stormer, screamer, and draggin' wagon =other names used for hot rods deuce =usually a 1932 Ford that's used for converting to a bomber stock =conventional car from the factory customizing, shaving, or stripping =removing the chrome, etc. from the stock car tails =coon or fox tails used decoratively gutting =removing upholstery, etc. from the interior spaghetti =excess chrome full house =engines souped up to the extreme drag or dragging =race between two or more cars from a standing start thingy, rail job, or slingshot =a hot rod designed soley for dragging
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