Where'd you see the new models? (poem) by Steve Joos on AuthorsDen

Where'd you see the new models?
by Steve Joos → (All Poetry by Steve Joos)
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In 2009, I visited the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, WI. Part of the museum is dedicated to Wisconsin's role in the history of the American auto industry (mainly American Motors, Nash and Kissel) and part of it is dedicated to the auto industry in general and auto racing in Wisconsin. There are some personal reflections here and the title comes from a question my dad asked me when I showed him some vacation snapshots of a visit to another antique auto museum. It seems rather appropriate here.
Once upon a time in Wisconsin, This was a canning plant, a storage plant, an auto plant. There was a time when these elaborate marques were reprinted above radiators to tell the world this car of choice. Now, they sit like displays in a time-frozen showroom. A vacation scene from another time. A flapper for a car hop? All are there Kissels, Hudsons, Nashes, Scene of a five-year-old's first kiss? A stately Imperial is bathed in lights, a line of Continentals seem ready. Of course, there's the old locomotive, which rumbled along the rails, The handyman's Model A the farmer's Studebaker stake truck. Who knows? They may still have friends working. Oh and the circles Kaiser-Frazier, Willys-Knight, Oldsmobile circcling the world. Chrysler, Dodge, DeSoto, How many boyfriends does Plymouth need? And in one corner, a place for old race drivers to reminisce about their glorious SUNDAYS! While the rest of us look back longingly at their contemporaries once made in Kenosha.

Reviewed by Barbara Terry

Reviewed on February 16, 2011

My uncle Bob worked for American Motors in the Kenosha plant, and in the main plant in Detroit from time to time. Making cars was his living, his joy, and he worked hard. Then when American Motors was taken over by Chrysler Corporation, my uncle had a heart attack, and they were ready to retire him, but he said he felt fine and was ready to go back to work. He went back to work, and a short time later suffered another heart attack, and this time, they retired him and gave him full pension for his 35 years of servce. Thank you for the memories, Steve.

May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on January 31, 2011

Thanks for sharing the memories, Steve. Love and peace,

Regis