I’m told I had a blast. I got the pictures

so long ago that some of the frypans and washimg machines have been turned into chassis parts for Teslas. However, some people did cling to the 50s cars, using junkyard parts to fix them, that those cars finally turned into classics instead of just old cars that probably needed ring juobs, cough cough.

The problem for Tesal being a classic at some point (unlike the deLorieans) that the innovation was all where it doesn't show. Yes, the earliest model was sporty, but prosaically so. It lacked the the lunatic panache of the Buick's ventiports or the late 50s Chevy';s unibrow tail fins. It's the wacky design dropped onto an old drive train that makes these things desirable.

I'm sure there are Tesla owners who will cling to their cars until the last battery has leaked its toxic guts onto the road with no replacements available, but Hollywood will likely resort to mockups in future "good old days" films instead of the real thing.

I know that for a fact. During my late teenage years, from 17 to 19, I helped my older cousin remove the bodies (cut with torches) from the frames of those older cars. The "tin" everything above the steel chassis was his for the taking. The steel remained in the junkyard (one of the largest in our area) until one of the regional steel companies would bring in the equipment to load all the auto frames, usually twice a year.

We would take one load, sometimes two per week, to the junk yard. Usually, his flat-bed truck with an over-the-cab "bull rack" could carry 5-6 cars. When the price of steel was up, we pushed harder. He made a good living and paid me well for a teenager.

Believe it or not, I have fond memories of that dirty grease, somewhat dangerous work. DCW was a great older cousin who worked hard and played hard. I got to enjoy both.