Autumn Years Fall 2024

IN MY WORDS

Remembering the Glory Days By Ed Trinkleback

I t doesn’t seem like that long ago when the be ginning of fall meant one important event was about to occur—the intro

offered as a hardtop coupe or convertible in the manufacturer’s top line model (Chevy Impala, Ford Galaxie, Buick Electra, etc.). Most cost about $1.49. I recall after my parents purchased their 1961 Ford Coun try Squire station wagon, every year Ford Motor Company would send my father a newsletter introducing the new cars (hop ing he would trade in his “old” wagon), and there was an offer to select, free of charge, a promotional model of any new Ford. I had a model 1964 Ford Falcon (red) and a 1965 Thunderbird (maroon), from those offers. Still have the T’Bird today! As the years went on, I began to realize that there was a way to collect new car bro chures in one fell swoop—the New York International Auto Show. My dad took me to my first NY Auto Show in April of 1960 (haven’t missed one yet in over 60 years and have the programs from each show to prove it). I would leave each show with at least two bags full of brochures. Unfortunately, new cars are no longer introduced; they evolve. Right now, you can buy a 2024 model car or a 2025. Col ors? White, black or several shades of grey. From two blocks away, you can’t tell one model from the other. I am so glad I can recall the glory days of new car introduc tions. They left me with memories I will never forget!

the new mod els in their showroom,

covered with a drape. And finally, usually

duction of the new car models. Looking back to a simpler, and more enjoyable, point in time, the last week of September, or the first week of October, was reserved for most American car manufacturers to “unveil” their latest creations. For me, there was no greater time in the year (except for Christmas) than to see the latest new car models displayed at the local car dealerships. I can vividly recall when my passion for cars developed. I was seven years old and got my very first new car brochure. My family was in Grand Central Station in New York City, and I saw a beautiful 1959 Oldsmobile 98 slowly revolving on a turntable in the main concourse. In a small bin by the turntable were little brochures featuring the new Oldsmobile models. I grabbed one, read it cover to cover over the next few days and suddenly, I was hooked. Very quickly, I learned that this free literature was available at your local car dealership. And the best time to collect them was during the formal introduction of the new lineup of cars, often referred to as an “open house.” Now, it all started a few weeks prior to the official debut of the new car models. Usually in early September, magazine ads and TV commercials would tease you with fleeting images of the new cars, and many dealerships, including some along Washington Avenue in Bergenfield (where I grew up), would strategically place one of

on a Thursday or Friday in late Septem ber, the “unveiling” of the new models occurred. People would flock to the show rooms to see the all-new car offerings. In September of 1959, I remember my dad was driving us home one night along Washington Avenue, and he pulled our car over to the curb so I could take a peek at the completely covered 1960 Chevrolet in the glass showroom of Weinberg Chev rolet. While the 1960 Chevy was basically a ’59 with some different trim, taillights and grille, to an eight year old kid, it was a totally new car. A few days later, we were at the showroom to inspect the 1960 Chevro let models, and I walked out with several brochures, some of which I still have today. At that time, Chevy was also introducing an all-new concept in cars, its rear-engine Corvair. I got one of those brochures, too. Ironically, nine years later, I got my first car, a used 1960 Corvair (black with a grey interior). Over the years, I made it my business to attend most of the dealerships’ “open house” events. And, of course, I loaded up on the free brochures. Sometimes, the car dealers would also give away model cars to prospective customers, generally after you agreed to a test drive. For those of us kids whose parents were not ready to pretend interest for a test drive, these “promos” were also available at your local toy or hobby store, usually

Ed Trinkleback, 73 and a lifelong resident of Bergen County, was CFO and HR Director in the bottled water industry for nearly fifty years. Retired

since 2019, Ed and his wife, Jeannette, enjoy international travel and taking their ‘65 Mus tang to classic car shows in the area.

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AUTUMN YEARS I FALL 2024