Variety is the spice of life. That 18th century adage wasn’t written about vehicles, but it applies nicely to the cars in this driveway. Here’s someone with diverse automotive tastes – a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, and a 2019 Nissan Leaf.
“Which car should we take today, Honey… the woody or the leafy?”
In this picture, the Leaf is parked closer to the sidewalk, and the resulting perspective makes these cars seem to be similar in size. That’s not the case… well, mostly. While the Roadmaster is a full 3.5 feet longer and 9 inches wider than the Nissan, the white Leaf is in fact somewhat taller than its driveway companion. Of all the dimensional changes we’ve witnessed in cars over recent decades, height is the most startling – and to see that one of today’s smaller cars exceeds a 30-year-old land yacht in any major dimension drives this point home.
But more than dimensions, these cars differ in their character just about as much as cars can… which is of course why this pairing is so fun.
As if we didn’t already know these cars’ target markets, promotional materials make it more enjoyable to discuss. Take this Roadmaster Estate Wagon brochure excerpt, for instance. A car considered traditional even among traditionalists, the Roadmaster is at home here in a serene setting with colonial architecture and a classic boat. If one doubted that this was a car marketed to folks with an affinity for the olden days, the final phrase of this excerpt, stating that “…big, spacious, comfortable American cars are still yours to enjoy” ought to clear that right up.
Quite a contrast with the Leaf brochure, which shows its featured car travelling on a futuristic-looking urban highway with menacing clouds backdropping the scene. The electric Leaf appeals to early adopters, and enthusiasts, of new technology – quite the opposite from the Roadmaster’s old-time traditionalism.
As I’m writing this, I’m gazing out at my driveway with two silver minivans – so similar to each other that sometimes we mistakenly get in the wrong car. Somehow I doubt that happens in this household. In my opinion, these two very different cars balance each other off quite nicely.
An antique car license on a ’92? Around here, ’92 Buicks are new.
In Virginia, any car 25 years old or over qualify for antique car registration and is often used to dodge registration fees, annual inspections, and personal property taxes.
Ontario has the same policy for registration. One can save over $100/ year on annual registration, but there’s severe use restrictions for vehicles with historic plates. One can only drive such a plated vehicle for events related to a registered car club, going to the mechanic or selling the car. Everything else, even a car show, cruise night or show&shine are not permitted and risk a fine.
Unfortunately I live in county in VA that still gets $25 in personal property taxes annually for my antique tagged Benz. “It’s for the roads!” I tell myself every October when the bill shows up. However the permanent plate and one time reg. fee is a solid trade off.
In California , “Vehicles assigned Horseless Carriage or Historical Vehicle License Plates are limited to operation or movemeunt over the highway primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition or other similar, noncommercial purposes, such as parades or historic vehicle club activities, and are subject to a fixed annual vehicle license fee (VLF) of $2.”
Horseless Carriage:
With an engine size of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965…or:
Manufactured in 1922 or before.
Historical Vehicle
Manufactured after 1922…and:
At least 25 years old…and:
Of historic interest.
No mention is made on the official site as to how “historic interest” is judged.
Neither is supposed to be used on daily drivers.
After a hectic few hours on a futuristic-looking urban highway, racing just ahead of those menacing clouds backdropping the scene, one could really use a relaxing cruise, but the Buick got left in the driveway at home.
The Buick. Not even a moment’s thought on that one.
But antique plates on a 90’s car seems so weird.
Yes, I understand the laws, but I am only 41!
‘iF YOU’RE EVER GONNA STAND ON IT, DO IT NOW CAUSE YA ONLY GET OLDER’ STROKer ace.
sdorry abt caps
One thing I noticed just now is how much more graceful the relationship of the side windows are to each other on the B-Body – my favorite domestic wagon, the Taurus has always had just that awkward disjointing at the beltline as it’s main detractor
Heck Yeah! My kind of driveway. Love late model B bodies, especially in Buick guise and appreciate the Leaf for what it is.
Fully agree with Mr. Harris above, antique tags on a 90s car is of little comfort, I’ll be 41 this April…..
Just think, in VA my daily driver Cockroach Cavalier is eligible for antique plates in less than 4 years. We all know it’ll still be a runner…. Can’t wait to take to the local Classic Cruise-ins!!!!!!! kidding……or not?!?