Compare and Contrast Essay

Cars Now vs 50 Years Ago

By: Mason Beekman

Cars today are far more advanced than cars 50 years ago but, they have lost the style and personality that old cars had. Cars now are quieter or louder if you want them to be. They weigh less and take less time and money to build them. The style of the car has changed a lot to and,  how they make the cars has changed.

The cars now are very affordable and have a wide variety of brands and types of cars. There is a car called Hennessey Venom GT that can go 270 mph. 50 years ago the fastest car was the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and was known for its drag racing ability. It had a big block V8 engine that would out power any car that would go against it.

In 2013 the US sold over 15 million cars. In 1960 the US sold over 7 million cars. The number of cars sold has a little over doubled what the they sold 50 years ago. Which makes sense because families now also own  double the cars that they had back owned 50 years ago.         

Also, the way they make the cars has changed tremendously. Now, it is mainly done by machinery. Back then it was mostly all done by hand which gives it the character feel that cars these day don't have. Also cars today are way more safe then 50 years ago, even though the seatbelt was in the cars back then. The engineering is way more advanced for safety than 50 years ago. The airbag is a life saving addition to the car that they didn't have 50 years ago. Also cars now days have air bags coming from the sides and front for extra protection. One downside to the airbags on the sides is it costs a lot to replace the paneling and everything else on the car.

Also the tires have improved so much from 50 years ago. Back then it was common to have a blowout or a flat tire. They always have rocks or sharp objects going into them. Another thing that has improved is gas, some of the muscle cars 50 years ago were getting around 12 mpg. At the highest cars back then got around 20- 25. Some cars these days can easily get around 35- 40 mpg.

Also comfortability 50 years ago was almost laughable. With basically plastic seats and wooden or metal interior it wasn't the best place to relax. Cars today are luxury with fully leather heated seats or even cooling seats, and modern looking interior. With a soft steering wheel and speakers for all types of music. Comfortability has obviously evolved a lot in 50 years.

Another reason why cars today have the upper hand is the motor durability. 50 years ago people bragged about getting to 100 thousand miles. Cars today will easily make it to 250 to 300 thousand miles. You might have to do some work along the way to it ,but it is worth it.

Cars have evolved into a more effective machine. With more comfortability and better mpg they are the better choice ,but cars today have lost the style and personality cars 50 years ago had. People today love and collect classics and prefer the noisy engine, heavy body that the cars 50 years ago are known for. Some of the sports cars have gone back to the retro design like Mustang and Dodge, which brings back the memories and fun of the noisy gas guzzlers back in the day.