Cars for Sale.

After World War II Americans had more disposable income than ever before, and automobiles were high on their wish lists. This excitement about new cars continued into the 1960s. The showing of the new automobile models became a high-profile event, and people visited the showroom entrances to catch a glimpse and perhaps a place on the new-car waiting list.

Bigger Is Better.

Although smaller models existed most cars manufactured immediately after World War II were huge by today's standards. The desires of both the consumers and the auto producers were responsible for the phenomenon. Americans had always seemed to associate largeness with power, prestige, and quality. The auto industry, naturally, was more than happy to oblige: big cars meant big profits, so the six-passenger sedan became Detroit's standard car. Besides having engines that were often much more powerful than...