I visited my older brother and his family over this past Thanksgiving holiday, and it brought back a lot of memories: great, not-so-great, funny, embarassing, etc. Not having any kids myself, it brings me an abundance of joy and amusement to participate in and witness the conversations and shenanigans that take place with and among the next wave of Dennises. I wonder sometimes if our parents, aunts and uncles were as amused and/or pleased by the things they (over)heard come out of our young mouths as I was when spending time with the kids this past weekend.
Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Chevrolet was far and away the most prevalent make of car on the roads in and around Genesee County. This got me thinking – given the family resemblance between my two brothers and me, if we were all 1970s-era Chevrolet “siblings”, what model would each of us be, in a metaphorical sense? I limited my choices to small cars, as all three of us were still kids by the dawn of the ’80s.
My older brother is the logical, practical, pragmatic, do-it-all personality who also often applies that intelligent approach to matters of personal taste, like art, music and attire. One mid-’70s tagline I remember from old National Geographic magazines was that “Chevrolet Makes Sense For America”. The popular and dependable X-Body Nova is what comes to mind when I think of him. These cars were a sensible package that could be tailored to many tastes and configurations in a well-engineered, accommodating package. The Nova’s longevity in Chevy showrooms and very respectable sales figures throughout its entire run are proof positive of all of these things. (Showoff…)
Since I’m taking the Dennis brothers in order, I’m next. I’ve always considered myself more of a late bloomer, feeling like I hadn’t started to realize my potential until well into young adulthood. People have often complimented me in the looks department, which was at odds with how I didn’t always feel so great on the inside during those formative, grade school years. That’s all in the past. At some point, my fortunes turned around and for the most part, things have been in the groove in which I’ve felt they should be, for much of my adult life.
What’s the Chevy “spirit animal” of my inner child? A latter-day Vega hatch: finally reliable, with clear skin (since the Vega’s rust problem was largely fixed by the end), and with a design that had aged very well. No sports kid was I, so I definitely wasn’t a Camaro. Chevy’s “trouble child” finally pulled through in the end, and better late than never.
This brings me to my younger brother. When we were young kids, it brought me no end of grief that people would confuse our names despite us being three years apart and, admittedly, looking a lot like restyled versions of one another. There would be no other choice to represent him than the Vega-based Monza. A Vega with a different set of clothes but a very similar personality, the Monza took some of the strengths of the Vega, switched them up slightly, and voila! Those of us middle children who had a younger sibling show up and win everybody over with their newness (dammit) can probably appreciate that the Monza decisively stole the Vega’s thunder when the former was introduced for ’75.
Given that negative experiences with the Vega had likely lowered Chevy buyers’ expectations by the time the Monza came along, the newer car never seemed to experience the vitriol bestowed on the older one, despite their fundamental similarities. (“Life isn’t fair, Joe. – Mom.”) The Monza remained a strong seller right through the end of its run, with almost 170,000 (!) units sold for final, official model-year 1980.
It’s all good in the end, though, and I can say that while my brothers and I are all approaching a certain “vintage” (even if we haven’t begun to fully appreciate), we have those common, Dennis-family experiences (and quality control issues) to bond us in the long run. With the recent announcement of the pending demise of many Chevrolet-branded passenger cars in the United States, much of this same principle applies to family members: we must enjoy them while we can before they’re no longer with us.
Enjoyable read as always and creative take on relating you and your two brothers to cars!
Small cars go in and out of style, since forever ago. UV’s mainly are “in style” today.
Who knows what future brings?
I was in my teens in the 70’s. i’ve always been reserved yet in touch with the times(although not as in your face as some)I would have to be the 76 Cadillac Seville just as introduced.
I never owned a Nova but there’s no reason why I wouldn’t have.
My ’72 Vega was fun fun fun – when it ran. 2-bbl and the 4-speed. Plus it rode well for what it was. My parents’ Pinto MPG, even with a 4-speed, couldn’t have been more different. Stone-cold reliable but boring as could be.
’75 Monza V8 4-speed? Fun too. Got three tickets in it, first month I owned it. Had to get a lawyer to save my license. Live and learn. If only it had decent brakes. Can’t imagine someone owning one with an automatic back then, before locking torque converters were a thing.
But if we are talking only Chevys, i’d be a 1974 Monte Carlo Landau!!
Having purchased a new Monte Carlo S Landau in 1974, with its gutless 350 V-8, poor gas mileage, power windows that broke within one year of purchase, and front fenders that were starting to rust through by the time I traded it for a new 1978 Sedan de Ville, I say to you: “Don’t be so hard on yourself! You’re better that that!” Seriously, though, l must say that the corduroy swivel bucket seats were very convenient in tight parking spaces, as well as extremely comfortable. The car’s looks (triple black) received many admiring glances, and I was proud to drive it. I just wish that it had been put together a bit better by our neighbors to the north in Oshawa.
Ouch Fred!!! I cannot argue with someone who was driving and owning one while all i could do (at that time) was dream of owning one. I guess i’ll just become a 1974 Fleetwood Brouhgam with the Talisman option. LOL!!! And you have excellent taste in cars!!
@Fred Infantino….I remember the 74’s coming down the line. We put them “together ” with the tools and material we were given. Contrary to all the “urban myths”, 99 percent of the assemblers performed the job to the best of their ability.
We didn’t design , or market GM’s product. We built the cars to the specifications of General Motors.
Sorry you had a bad experience with the 74.
Mikey… 36 year GM Oshawa retiree.
Being the 3rd and final son with an age span of 10 years during the baby boom era, I can put a Ford spin to the situation.
The oldest brother had a ’73 Ford pick up truck with a 3 speed manual transmission. This was before all the dolled up pickups of today. He kept it for 15 years. The oldest was a bit of bruiser and the truck was indestructible. Perfect match!!
Brother #2 had a ‘ 68 Mercury Cougar on which I learned the 3 speed manual on the floor board. It fit his personality to a “T” till he got married and sold the stray cat for a ’70 Ford Galaxie with A/C. He got his wings clipped.
Since I was at the tail end, I went in a different direction (naturally)!!. This was based on my dad’s experience with his ’74 Mercury Comet. Need I say more!! Started my ownership journey with an Olds Cutlass and moved to a Toyota Camry like everyone else in my age bracket. However, as time passed, I too came to my senses and fell into the Ford family of fine cars!! Two Ford Escapes (’05 and currently an ’12) with an Escape or Explorer on the radar scope in the next year or two.
Happy Motoring!!
Brand loyalty can be strong. After a letdown from a 1967 Camaro (its being a stripper and having self-destructing Poweglide and rear axle didn’t help), my brother and I went Chrysler. Practical Chrysler. Dodge Dart, Plymouth Valiant. A couple of Dusters. A Dodge Aspen, which turned out to be reliable, rock-solid. A Plymouth Reliant, and minivans. A Dodge Intrepid, and a Chrysler PT Cruiser.
I’m 58 years and I’m starting to creak and groan a bit. If I was a car, I guess i’d be one of those old Cuban cars with the original motor replaced by a Russian diesel.
Haha! Actually Mike, this metaphor made me smile. I do want to visit Cuba before too much has changed. Perhaps one of my 2019 goals will be regular investment in a personal “travel fund”.
I’m surprised that the Chevy Citation didn’t hurt the sales of the Chevy Monza, my favorite Chevy’s of the 70’s are the 1970-72 Chevelle, 1970-72 Chevy Monte Carlo, 1970-72 Chevy Nova and 1977-79 Chevy Caprice/Impala.
The 1980 Monza (and Pontiac Sunbird) had an extended model year with production not ending until December 1980. I believe production numbers were also ramped up to tide over dealers until the introduction of the J-cars in spring 1981.
Different price class, and a different era for Chevrolet passenger car
sales volume.
Interesting thoughts, these. I spent my Thanksgiving this year, as many others, with a small group of friends. 4 single men, three gay, one straight, all in our late 40’s and early 50’s. There was a bit of talk about cars of course, aging, technology and our universal distrust of it, relationships past, family disfunctionality…and the list goes on. As men “Of a Certain Age” there were of course plenty of stories of past glory and tragedy as well. Oddly, whenever it came time to leave the house the argument was not over who would drive or what, but who didn’t want to drive and once we got somewhere how were we getting home after the inevitable too many cocktails.
I guess whatever our automotive spirit animals might have been in the past we’ve all ultimately morphed into random Uber Hyundais or Lyft Kias. (Which invariably became our primary modes of transport throught the holiday weekend, whether we started our adventure that way or not). So I guess in our “Certain Age” we’ve become cheap, plentiful and easy? Okay, this metaphor thing isn’t working for me today.
Your thoughts are interesting, as well, MTN – much appreciate the thoughful weigh-in. I am also thankful for ride sharing programs that are so easy to use. And “Friendsgiving” (or a permutation of it) has actually become an unofficial holiday for me.
A great description of the three Dennii and their spirit cars.
You make me wonder about how I would think about this in my own family. I will have to think on that.
I never thought of it that way before Joe but I do kind of fit my favorite series of cars which is the 69-78 full size Chryslers.
Kind of outsized ( 6ft 300lbs)
Takes a bit to get moving but when I’m up to steam I’ll run over anyone or anything.
Humongous appetite ( gas/food)
Hates the rain
The body’s getting rusty and not worth fixing but the mechanicals are still giving all they got!
One mid-’70s tagline I remember from old National Geographic magazines was that “Chevrolet Makes Sense For America”. – Joe, we seem to share memories. Dad had at the time a ’68 Nova, a totally Spartan 4 door in the same color as the coupe in the picture. By ’75, 10-year-old me would look at the National Geographic Magazine that arrived every month and ask Dad, why don’t we get these cars in Uruguay? I was totally impervious to protectionism and other economic issues, so I don’t remember if my father agreed with them. I don’t think so, but he passed on 37 years back, so, it’s a non issue.
In fact, all of my adult life I have been looking for that same Nova, which of course is nowhere to be found, just on a nostalgic mood. I’m sure Dad would infinitely prefer having my power-everything, always-starting, fuel-injected, airbagged, abs-ed Renault. Go figure.
Again, thanks for your writing, which is always moving and so beyond the basic theme.
For you and Joe,
Here’s a Nova ad from the series “Chevrolet Makes Sense for America:”
–and by the way, great piece here Joe!
Thank you, Eric! This is the ad I always remember translating to Spanish to show my Granny I could read English. The Nova LN.
Good to revisit it!
Rafael, thank you so much. I seem to remember (even if I couldn’t find it by searching just now) a previously CC article that was dedicated to National Geographic ads. That post is what your comment reminded me of, almost immediately.
And Eric703, thanks for finding and posting that ad (and for the kind words).
My cars tend to lean to the narrow and tall side. I wonder why?
The xB! Gotta love it, Paul.
Great article as always, Peter!
😉
*Well played.*. LOL!
Joe, I always love how you can spin these tales of both cars and your personal life and family. Now I’m going to be thinking all day what cars my siblings and I would be!
Hmmm … I owned a Vega, but secretly longed for the Monza. A Spyder, V8, 4 speed of course. Finally, 49 years later, I know why. Thanks for clarifying that – and an enjoyable read.
Monza with the V8… wasn’t that the one you had to raise the engine to change the plugs?
I owned a Pontiac Astre back in the day, and I spent a fair amount of time in it listening to … the 8-track of Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark! Thanks for the blast from the past!
Court and Spark… “Just Like This Train”… great song. That music and time reminds me of my Italian girlfriend… good music and good times.
I love Joni Mitchell’s artistry. I discovered “Court and Spark” around the year 2000, and it was a revelation for me.
And Brad F., “Just Like This Train” (specifically) has gotten lots of play on my MP3 player. I’ve listened to the words and gotten the metaphors, but part of my love for this track is that I ride the Amtrak often, between Chicago and mid-Michigan.
Memories, thanks for this post. After the selling the ’68 Falcon (mentioned in the Falcon thread), I bought a ’68 Nova (that year also had a small Chevy II badge)… good memories of that car. It had a 4 speed, 307 V8 (200 hp per my recollection), kind of a turquoise/blue paint, a black vinyl bench seat and dog dish caps. After about 6 months or so, I had it painted gold at Earl Scheib (one step up from their $29.95 “any car, any color” TV commercials) and I then had some mag wheels put on it.
My late BIL also had a new ’73 Vega GT (I think) wagon that replaced his ’69 Roadrunner. It was a fairly good car in the time he owned it.
My first car was a Monte Carlo, so my younger brother just had to get a Ford T-bird. My other two brothers are not car people at all. One never owned a vehicle until he needed a work van, while the other never got a license and is against cars for idealistic environmental reasons.
Thanks, everyone. I had drafted this piece last week and sat on it, thinking it might be a little bit “out there” for Paul’s site, but I’m glad I believed in it and posted it. Glad it got such a warm reception. Happy weekend!
Joe, I am a little late to the party, but I finally got around to reading this today. What a fun enjoyable read! I don’t think it was out there. As someone with two brothers and a sister, I have ponder similar thoughts in the past due to our differences in personalities.
Thanks so much, Vince. I wonder how my two brothers reacted (if at all) to being compared with a Nova and a Monza in this article. 🙂
And what a classic middle child move – to keep Vega for yourself, if for no other reason than to avoid tagging either of the others with the association and therby starting a fight. 🙂
JP, you know me so well! 🤜🤛