All That Glitters: The Machine of Wealth

Modern Maybach Interior

All That Glitters: The Machine of Wealth

Even within the seemingly humble campus of the Pennsylvania State University, that consists of many, many students from many, many backgrounds, at just the right moments of observation, anyone can observe some certain oddities around campus. These so called "oddities" are no oddities to the rich. They are the luxury cars that cost exorbitant amounts and but raise the attention of any on looker by allowing them to easily distinguish that the owner of the vehicle is definitely of some large pecuniary background. Through this installment of this blog, the features, prices, and conceptions of these vehicles will be examined over the ages.

Early 1900's Luxury Vehicles

Early 1900's Rolls Royce

In the early 1900's the car was a relatively new invention that had permanently changed the world. With such cars as the surprisingly inexpensive Model T, people with low levels of cash were still able to get their hands on these hot new inventions. However, where there is something on the cheaper side, there is always a market for that same thing on the expensive side. Hence, the luxury automotive was born. Most of the vehicles pre Model T era were very expensive due to the assembly line style of manufacturing not being utilized until later. However, after the assembly line had been utilized, some car manufacturers still insisted on using the old process. This old process defined the means of luxury manufacturing for generations to come. These styles of manufacturing had to bring a new touch to the table to make sure they were more than competitive with the cheaper assembly line created automotives. This entailed creating special luxury touches to the vehicles such as gold, diamond, and other resources to the car to give them a more expensive look. Not only that, but they made sure to use top quality materials within the vehicle such as wooden dashboards and leather seats. This gave the cars an exterior look of luxury but also an internal look.

Mid 1900's Lamborghini Miura

Mid 1900's Luxury Vehicles

In the mid 1900's, there was still a distinct barrier between the cheaper manufactured cars and the luxury produced cars, but now there was more of a twist. Cars only became cheaper due to increased use of machinery within assemb
ly lines and cheaper attainment of materials due to more synthetics development. However, on the opposite side of the spectrum, cars only got fancier but they had also added a new attribute. Not only were they nice looking on the interior side and the exterior side, but they were becoming faster as well. Increased engine development with the addition of formula racing technologies in terms of aerodynamics and other more internal features such as suspension and handling. Due to the high price of production of the new tech, luxury cars only got more expensive.

Modern Luxury Vehicles

Modern Koenigsegg Agera R

Into the modern era of car manufacturing, the quality, speed, and price have gone exponentially high within luxury cars. Modern technological developments have allowed for cars to be priced at a stunning multi million dollar range, and fly to speeds of over 250mph. However, in modern day luxury vehicles, speed is not the only factor affecting the price of a car. Such companies like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Maybach have made significant strides in creating the most comfy vehicles to have ever existed while allowing such premium technology that most people would not even be able to afford the center console in itself. However, within both the stylish luxury cars and the fast luxury cars, technology is a very prevalent point of focus. Most cars considered luxury are often the trend setters for innovation within cars. Such examples of the most famous trendsetters are BMW and Mercedes Benz. Especially in today's society the kind of car a person drives is very synonymous to the level of wealth that a person has, and when that can be said about anything, you know for a fact that it is a defining characteristic of luxury.

The Glamorous Nature:

Cars have been a dominant force within the luxury industry and for as long as they exist, they will continue to be. There are definitely more expensive luxuries out there, but none quite encompasses the ubiquity of the luxury car. From the technology to the speed to the sleek design, they are definitely a pleasure to the eye of anyone who sees them, and are always guaranteed to receive that so highly sought after head turning motion of passerby's.