Abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to provide factual evidence to support the notion that the automobile was a material good that became such an important part of the everyday lives of the population that it ascended to the plateau of cultural icon. In the years between 1953, coinciding with the release of the Chevrolet Corvette, and 1967, the year in which the Camaro was introduced, the automobile's popularity continued to soar.. The popularity of the car is exemplified in three distinct car enthusiast groups: the buying public, the hot rod cult, and the custom car cult. These three groups would be very instrumental in building the reputation of the automobile and securing its place as a true cultural icon for their generation. This thesis also implements elements of music and film to illustrate how the automobile had merged into popular culture in such a way that the automobile was not only a part of the culture, but in many ways directed the actions of the culture itself. The thesis discusses the background of the automobile as it gradually changed from a new fad at the turn of the century into a popular icon. It also discusses the automobile of today, its part in today's culture, and what may lay around the corner for the automobile. Finally, the thesis discusses this author's personal connection to the automobile, his experiences with automobiles, and his own assessment of the automobile's popularity.
