Culture|Garage

I’m willing to bet that some of our wonderful commenters out there have spent some time in school, and thus can relate to the plight of finals. Yes, the one week where an academic career can be made-or broken- by simply filling in the wrong bubbles on a scantron form. Having said this, I will be partaking in my last set of finals for my undergraduate career next week, so late night study sessions have been the norm in my world. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and with your help, I can get there. The skinny after the jump.

As part of my edjeemuhcation, I am taking a course on cultural communications. Most of the time, we have been analyzing national cultures, classifying them, and then filing them away in a mental filing cabinet that will most likely be forgotten about. During this round of finals, my instructor has delegated quite a task to our class, one that I’m actually quite excited about, as it allows me to further my understanding, as well as gain more insight from the readership on what automotive culture is.

“Car culture,” is most definitely the name of the game here at C|G. Most of us live cars everyday. We have our own likes and dislikes, and we each tend to ascribe to a certain niche within the world of automobiles. While it is very true that I love my American iron, I really have respect and admiration for imported vehicles that perform. I love the Volvo “R” series, and I also heart anything that says “Mazdaspeed,” especially the MS Protege. “Car culture” is obviously not limited to one aspect or corner of the hobby (some say sport) and thus encompasses all sorts of different areas of interest. I consider myself learned in the ways of Detroit, but only a simple student of other aspects of “car culture,” and so I cannot truly define what it is- but I’ll give it a shot.

Personally speaking, the culture of the Temple of all things Automotive envelops more than just internal combustion and wheels. Car culture is the culmination of many different things; art, engineering, science, sport and humanity. Just because a lowered Impala doesn’t ply the ’strip doesn’t mean that it is any less of a car, nor does it mean that a stock car from the 60’s is obsolescent in the hearts of fans, even in light of vehicles that could easily outperform it today. Car culture is hanging out with friends and chatting about carbureation or paint colors. It’s a road rally that ends in a bar-b-cue. It’s a race where two drivers stare each other down at the lights, but congratulate each other once they are through the traps. It is sliding sideways, burning rubber, turning up the radio and enjoying the sound. It is sensory, it is literal, it is a way of life. This is how I see car culture.

With that out of the way, I’m trying to get your responses regarding “car culture” to develop a paper based on what is a real subculture around the world. With enough information, I can formulate a workable thesis, as well as help to legitimize the car hobby in the eyes of the non-believers. To help accomplish this, I’m hoping you can answer a few questions for me:

What are some of the primary characteristics of a “car person”?

What kind of community does car culture foster?

Why is there an attraction to cars?

Why are you attracted to cars?

What has been your experience interacting with other enthusiasts?

Is car culture about showing off, having fun, racing, etc., or all/none of the above?

Does the culture make the car, or does the car make the culture?

Will car culture exist, in one form or another, indefinitely?

What is car culture, to you?

How did you become involved with car culture?

Now that I have my nosensical babbling out of the way, I want to hear from you! I’m hoping that your responses (if any) will be in-depth, and heartfelt. You can post your answers here, or you can E-mail me at jim@culturegarage.com. By no means do you have to answer every question, and have fun with these! Thanks in advance for your responses!

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