Adventure, the inner need to challenge us as a species, the latent hunger for discoveries generated by curiosity … made the human species discover the New World, and in a way, sealed the destiny and the particular lifestyle of the United States.

Even though the car was born in Europe, it became accessible to the ordinary people across the ocean. We, the Europeans, maybe a little more elitist, saw the car as a Swiss watch, as a technical challenge … and from here on, it was an extremely short road to becoming an accessory, a “something” for the elites.

Across the ocean, things evolved a little differently. Before bowing to Henry Ford, I think I should mention Ransom Olds – the founder of Oldsmobile in 1897, who had an assembling line for affordable cars in his factory since 1901. A concept that was brilliantly developed by Henry Ford and pushed toward a mobile assembling line. The outcome? In 1913, the Ford models used to leave the production line every fifteen minutes, much faster than the previous methods, increasing productivity eight-fold, while using less labor (from 12.5 hours/man to 1 hour and 33 minutes).

And because the car had become part of everyday life, it received a huge chance to be inspired by so many latent talents. And unavoidably, from “appliance”, it also adopted the role of Robin Hood … and this is the first step toward the hero status.

For us, the Europeans, the first hero from overseas was Willys MB or Ford GPW, the name being influenced by the factory where it was made. A model that inspired the birth of Land Rover, with the prototype of the company inspired by Willys and built on its chassis.

Everything that wore ”the pony car” coat qualifies to be one of the heroes of my generation, our generation. Whether we are talking about Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Challenger, they represented the car bodies that had the power to fight on circuits with intangible names … Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari. In 1965, a Ford Mustang was priced at $ 2,368, while a Porsche 911 was priced at $ 6,370.

Although Ford invested enormously in the GT 40 project to beat Ferrari at Le Mans, for the vast majority it will remain a model that wore the blue oval on the hood and that definitely defeated Ferrari in the endurance racing.

Caroll Shelby, a hero who turned the models he got into legends. After a fairly consistent career in motorsport, his dream was to build a car that could be used every workday and afterward, on weekends could be taken for racing on a circuit. That’s how Shelby Cobra was born, then the motor sport encouraged the birth of Shelby Daytona Coupe … a model with one of the most beautiful bodies ever created on this planet. He also crafted Ford GT 40 to turn it into a legend. Initially, a Ford project initiated in England was based on the Lola Mk6 model.

America also means Corvette, a name sometimes stronger than the brand under which this model was born. Some models found their place in culture, music, they became a lifestyle for fans.

Towards the end of the ‘70s, America got a little lost in its own glory. Does anyone remember how a Mustang from the ‘80s looks like? I don’t think so … Probably the last hero of my generation, from the overseas, is the first generation of Dodge Viper, a modern interpretation of the classic Shelby Cobra.

And this is because the Europeans have recovered, heroes began to be born here, on our land. Models that, paradoxically, copied the American recipe somehow … if we think of a Volkswagen Golf GTI. And as the evolution turns out to be sinusoidal … after many years of ignoring the world across the ocean, it seems that we are again fascinated by what is happening there … Our fascination, or that of our children …

Our children’s heroes …

Performance, luxury, technical sophistication … everything that is outstanding in the automotive world is associated with Europe. A detail that the Americans also accepted. But, when you turn your back to the wall, the only way is forward … that’s how things are overseas …

A land we fell in love with thanks to a soundtrack dominated by the unmistakable sound of a V8 is now the land of promise for kWh.

A company founded in 2003 launched in 2008 an electric model – Tesla Roadster. The first electric model that received approval to travel on the highway, the first model that offered autonomy for over 200 miles/320 km. This is how the Tesla phenomenon was born, the company ranking now the sixth in the top of the most valuable car companies, behind Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW and Porsche, having a model in the range, Tesla Model S P100D, a sedan that is on the podium for the category 0-60 mph/ 0-96 km/h. With an official time of 2.4 seconds, and 2.28 seconds in an independent measurement, the Tesla model is surpassed only by Porsche 918 Spyder and 911 Turbo S. Being faster than the models at fabulous prices – Bugatti Chiron. Quite easy to fall in love with such a Robin Hood.

In a world seeking for benchmarks and new standards, America takes one of its heroes and electrifies it. It would probably be easier to tolerate a crime of majesty than imagine a Ford Mustang with a body that has nothing in common with that of a coupe, and a battery in the floor instead of a V8 under the hood. Yes, first I was revolted … but this kind of revolt is the sign that yesterday was lived, let’s get ready for tomorrow.

And Ford goes on boldly and electrifies another legend – F150 Lightning. An electric pick-up, one that can supply your home with electricity if needed.

We were fascinated by HMMWV, Humvee or Hummer. For those who come, I hope their idol will no longer be a military vehicle, but a civilian electric model with the same name … they have every right. GMC Hummer EV, a model inspired by the legendary military vehicle, is now electrified, with up to 1,000 hp and impressive off-road performance.

And for a binder between yesterday and tomorrow, I want to end this tribute to the New World with Jeep Wrangler 4xe. We started with Willys, we end with the great-grandson of that model, today an off-roader almost unique in the landscape. With a colossal charm, off-road performance hard to match by a production model and … plug-in hybrid. A Wrangler that can run up to 44 km electrically …

Constantin Ciobanu

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