THE OLD WHEELS!

  TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH., 2018
                THE OLD WHEELS!

       Every Saturday morning I participate
in a radio talk program broadcast from WLSH
in Lansford.
       It's called "Coal Region Connections" and
most of the conversation deals with the good
old days here in our area.
       This past Saturday a lot of the talk was
about cars. Especially about cars that aren't
manufactured anymore. Many of the brands
had dealers throughout northeastern
Pennsylvania.
       Anybody remember the Keiser? How
about the Frazer? Or the Henry J.?
        I remember one company that was
mentioned very well. American Motors.
I owned a couple of their products including
a Hornet and a Matador.
        A lot was said about the prices of
those vehicles back in the day! The Henry
J., for instance, sold for $1,286 in 1954.
        I bought an Austin Healey Sprite for
$2,000 in 1963.
        I couldn't believe I paid about $4,000
for that Matador! That was 1976!
        Those cars were cool and the prices,
even at 4 grand, were pretty low!
        But here's the thing. The average
worker buying that Henry J? for twelve
hundred was only making $4,700 a year!
         I made $75 a week when I bought
that Austin Healey Sprite and less that
$150 a week when I sprung for that
AMC Matador!
         Of course these aren't the good old
days, although they will be some day for
younger readers/
         If you're like most of us who have
been around the block a time or two in one
car or another you're likely to see wages
go up over time. Unfortunately car prices
seem to go up faster!
          We now buy used and run them till
near death (theirs that is) then look for
another pre-owned.
          Of course they can't be too old!
Those 76 Matadors are selling at auction
for between 10 and $16,000! Wish we had
kept ours!
           Hope you car is paid off and that
all your NEWS is good!