While none of these are groundbreaking facts, its still astonishing to see how vehicles have morphed around our shape and way of life
BHPian RaviK recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Was thinking about the vehicles the other day during my childhood era (80s), and then a thought struck me on how our vehicles have evolved around society (i.e. changes in community life, pace of living, and social priorities). While this viewpoint is mostly from small town/rural lens, but still few interesting observations present themselves. Okay, enough babbling, here you go –
Role of a vehicle in our life over the years
- From collective to personal:
Back then, vehicles seemed to be extensions of the community rather than purely personal assets. The rugged old jeeps had wide, open entry-exits and little privacy (even ambassadors/fiats would mostly have their glasses rolled down). A vehicle on the road was for everyone, so no matter if you were going to a marriage or just the nearby town for something urgent, more often than not , few hitchhikers would tag along, or a neighbour would suddenly remember he/she had to go to doctor, or bring back half the street’s groceries. No tinted glass to hide behind, visibility was part of mobility, you and your life were out in the open. I vividly recall people shouting instructions at someone on the road (do this, go there etc.), while simultaneously wrestling to get the jeep into 2nd gear!Today, our vehicles have become sealed capsules with adjustable AC vents, tinted windows (okay not this one, but you get the drift), infotainment systems, memory seats, and much more.
- Pace of life and vehicles:
A trip to any large city often entailed weeks of planning and days of execution. Journeys were slow, and often filled with detours for errands, social visits, or more often than not – a visit to a mechanic en route. Vehicles mirrored this relaxed pace, not designed for speed but for carrying life along.In contrast, vehicles today are faster, more efficient, and designed for quick turnarounds, reflecting a change of pace in our lifestyles – faster life, faster work, faster social change.
- Toughness needed – human and machine
Life in the past demanded resilience, and so did vehicles, function was often the objective, no comfort-first approach. Seeing a stock jeep was not a usual sight (some improvisation, jugaad to extract extra utility). If one part failed, another jugaad part could keep it moving. Being a petrol-head was valued way more in 80s & 90s (Dad was one, and was frequently consulted for advice on new purchases, maintenance etc.)Today, vehicles have made us lazy (don’t think I can do anything beyond tyre and battery change). The reliability factor has killed the need to be hardened, increasing the democracy quotient within petrol-head community (i.e. being one by a choice!!)
- Social dynamics of mobility
In northwest India of 80 & 90, life was intensely local for most folks. Most vehicle journey would be Now, inter-city travel is routine. Better road networks, better vehicles and improved finances have expanded the physical and social radius of vehicles.
- The dark side of the moo..erm..vehicles
Off-track, but earlier, crimes were also kept mostly local by lack of mobility — theft, fights, disputes rarely crossed 1 or 2 adjacent districts’ borders. It was rare to hear of a criminal tracked 300 kms away because the pace & reliability of vehicles simply didn’t permit such mobility (good luck outrunning police/locals in an IDI engined jeep ).Now? Every now and then we come across news where criminals appear 500 KM overnight. Faster vehicles allow rapid movement, so just as businesses and families have expanded their geographic footprint, so too have illegal activities.
While none of these are groundbreaking facts, its still astonishing to see how vehicles have morphed around our shape and way of life.!! Share your thoughts and experiences, lets see if they were on the similar lines or had entirely different journey!
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