There's much to be said about the progression of automobiles throughout the years. They reflect the wishes of consumers, demonstrate technological improvements, and as time passes, encapsulate the eras they were constructed in. Larry Preston, a longtime resident of Temecula, grew up in the sixties, surrounded by classic cars that people continue to appreciate today. But throughout high school, Preston identified which car was his favorite, and that passion manifested in a purchase further along in his life. Fifteen years ago, he bought a 1966 Pontiac GTO, which was also manufactured the same year he graduated high school.
The Pontiac GTO is credited as the first car introduced during the Muscle Car Era, which began in 1964 and ended in 1970. During this period, car manufacturers wanted to focus on horsepower and sporty designs. The acronym stands for “Gran Turismo Omologato.” When translated from Italian to English, it reads “Grand Touring Homologated.” It was designed by John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee, who were tasked with transforming the Pontiac Tempest into a car that could appeal to the younger generation. The youth were done with driving their parents' car, wanting something to call their own. When the GTO was introduced, consumers both young and old went nuts for it. Its sales also caught the attention of the three big car manufacturers, Ford, Chevy and Chrysler. Even today, the GTO is desired by collectors and enthusiasts, with Preston’s model being one of them.
The car looks precisely as it would have appeared during its debut, and its Mariana turquoise paint job is one of the fourteen original stock color options. Classic cars have become a reasonably good investment, though only if one buys them right, as the prices fluctuate due to their lowering quantity. Though, Preston's personal investment toward his car has been out of the enjoyment of driving it.
He recalls a slower-paced time, when drivers reserved their Friday and Saturday nights for cruising downtown. Each town had areas reserved for people to cruise along. "It takes you back to that time when you were young," he says. According to him, automobiles were an important possession to have during that era. They brought a sense of pride and stacked on to one's multifaceted identity.
“Everyone was protective and dependent on their cars. That was our ultimate freedom, and we took care of them. People would keep their cars clean and polished. They were always working on the mechanics to keep them running, and a lot of mechanically inclined people did their own services. Today, things are far more advanced, and with the complexities of the new cars, most people don’t have the ability to work on them. They don't have the desire too," Preston shares.
Preston often drives down in his GTO to attend classic car shows, including Old Town's annual Rod Run. Seeing the streets lined with automobiles that represented their eras is guaranteed during the event, specifically those from the 70s and below. Be it roadsters or hot rods, tourists get to learn about them all. Though, visitors are not the only ones who get excited. So do owners themselves, and just like Preston, their cars are a major investment. They have knowledge to share and are friendly among their fellow enthusiasts.
“There’s a sense of comradery between people who show up in their cars and the crowds who visit. A lot of people have spent so much money and time toward their cars, as it’s both their priority and their passion. That’s what they do with their time off, improve upon their classics as much as they can. It gives you a connection to the past."
"It takes you back to that time when you were young."