Classic Car Watches

While GM and Chrysler struggle to lift themselves out of government debt and still retain a viable business model, Ford has weathered the recession quite well.  Ford, unlike the other two major American carmakers, is suffering, but not to the level of bankruptcy.  Ford has done some significant restructuring in order to remain viable in this recession, and while Ford isn’t making much more money than GM or Chrysler, their business is, for the moment, secure.  Ford was arguably the first carmaker in the world, and though Ford didn’t invent the car, the production line which allowed mass production of automobiles was their innovation. 

With GM and Chrysler on the verge of bankruptcy and disbandment, Ford seems like it could be the last American carmaker.  But the real question is, where American carmakers have failed in the last several years, can Ford turn it around to be competitive with foreign carmakers and return to its former glory.  Time will tell, but for now, it seems Ford’s future is secure.  Ford collectibles like a Ford watch might come to represent more than just the brand, but of America’s last hope to keep the premier car manufacturer in the nation that invented the process. 

With General Motors shares almost to the level of being considered penny stocks, it’s possible the situation has never been quite so dire for the industry titan.  GM has been providing Americans with reliable automobiles for almost a century, and without GM, the auto industry around the world wouldn’t have been the same.  The company is now poised to file for bankruptcy, though there is some hope that it will be able to convince the government of its viability and secure a new loan.  However, based on GM’s performance in the past few months, it doesn’t seem likely they will be able have all their ducks in a row before filing for bankruptcy.

The real question is, what will happen to GM after bankruptcy is declared?  Several companies have emerged from bankruptcy in the past, and while GM doubts that customers will want to purchase from an automaker who has declared bankruptcy, in the last year they’ve made some efforts to get back on track.  With electric cars and hybrid/electric cars on the horizon, and the recent success of vehicles like the Chevy Malibu, GM just might be around for the next century too.  But purchase your GMC watch, clocks, posters, models, and paraphernalia now, because these soon might become collector’s items!

I have trouble being on time. I can admit that this has always been a problem for me and I have had a tough time improving my timeliness. I think a big part of my problem was that I never wore a watch or had a clock in my car.

In a recent effort to try to be on time more often I made my first adult purchase, I bought a new car. So far, I must say that car clocks make all the difference in the world. Now that I can always see the time, it’s easier for me to schedule my time more effectively.

Let’s face it, people who have been alive for more than thirty years have received a lot of birthday gifts, and sometimes it’s tough to even remember what you got last year!  I too, can’t remember what I got last year, but I do remember what I got for my 22nd birthday from my grandpa.  Now when you’re 22, you’re probably not expecting to receive a wall clock as a birthday gift.  But I was delighted when my grandpa gifted me with one of his favorite automobile clocks.  Grandpa collected those clocks over the course of several decades, and though I liked to think he would be around forever, I knew he would one day pass.  When he gave me that automobile clock, I knew it would be something that I could remember him by forever.

I hung my grandpa’s Chevrolet clock in my room and now it helps me keep track of time and reminds me of all the wonderful memories I shared with him.  I’ll probably pass it on to my kids one day. 

Though it wasn’t the first muscle car, the Ford Mustang is quite possibly the most recognized muscle car in America’s past.  While the newer Ford Mustangs offer a much smoother ride and more luxurious features, nothing beats the roar and the power of the classic 1950s Mustangs.  These classic automobiles revolutionized the industry with their unique headlights, shape, and powerful engine.  The older Mustang models are some of the most prized possessions at classic car shows.  

Mustangs, for all their grace and power, have become so well recognized in America that the car has generated an entire line of paraphernalia.  Whether purchasing a Mustang clock for your garage, a Mustang lamp for your den, or a Mustang watch to wear most everywhere, owners of these amazing automobiles are proud to display their enthusiasm, and with good reason! 

There’s been a lot of discussion in the media lately about the uncertain future of Chrysler, the makers of Jeep.  While the other major American automakers, GM and Ford, seem to have a plan to increase sales and secure their future, Chrysler has floundered much more than the other two.  For decades Jeep, one of Chrysler’s brands, has been the premier maker of the unique Jeep vehicles first commissioned by the army.  Whether you’re in a Wrangler or an old CJ-7 or CJ-5, the classic Jeep vehicle has a unique look that is seldom mimicked with success. 

It’s sad to think that Jeep could be gone forever, though it seems likely that some rival automaker would want to pick up the brand name at the least.  With an uncertain future, Jeep enthusiasts have begun to stockpile their paraphernalia including Jeep watches, Jeep clocks, and Jeep license plates.  It’s a great time to secure one of these timeless collectables while they’re still being produced. 

What Henry Ford did for the manufacturing of automobiles, a man named Harley Earl did for automobile design.  Earl worked for General Motors, and was the designer behind the innovative sports cars of the 1950s.  Perhaps Earl’s most renowned project was the Chevrolet Corvette, named after a small but maneuverable fighting frigate.  The corvette project was nearly canned by GM prior to the release of their first V8 engine.  The new engine coupled with other new technologies allowed the corvette to transformfrom an impractical sports car to a true performer. 

Today the corvette has become a symbol of speed, power, and wealth, and sports a full line of products and paraphernalia including stationary, towels, clothing apparel, and even timepieces like watches and the Corvette clock.

That’s what Dodge’s official site says their vehicles are all about.  Dodge is an American brand of cars, SUVs and trucks, made and sold by Chrysler all over the world.   Founded in 1900, Dodge is well-known today for its contributions to the classic muscle cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s.  They sold automobiles suitable for racing as well as economy models during these years, even partnering with Mitsubishi at one point to attempt optimum market expansion and visibility.   Everything changed at Dodge, and indeed for all American automobile makers, when the oil crisis hit in 1973.  Their more economical “downsized” product lines were not as popular as the muscle cars had been, and in 1979, Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca requested Congress’ help in saving Dodge from filing bankruptcy.  By the 1990s, Chrysler had repaid the debt and chose Dodge as the division to start making waves in the car marketplace, which they did by unveiling the Dodge Viper.  Over the years the success of Dodge trucks waxed and waned, and during the 1970s the company dropped its medium- to heavy-duty models, a category in which they have recently begun to participate again.

Dodge actually received a great deal of attention and increased sales due to the 1990s  TV show “Walker, Texas Ranger”, which used Dodge’s most current models as well as the Viper, Ram, and minivan.  During the 1980s, Dodge also imported small pickups from Mitsubishi until the sales of the popular Dodge Dakota rendered the imported trucks irrelevant.  When Daimer and Chrysler merged in the late 1990s, Dodge was able to expand many of its product lines and experiment with new ones, such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter line of vans, which has become utilized by leading freight companies such as FedEx and UPS in recent years.  The Dodge Durango minivan has proven quite popular in recent years, in part because its size places it right between its competitors.  The current Ram’s head logo was standardized on all Dodge vehicles as of 1996 with the exception of the Viper.  Get a collectible Dodge clock or watch to match your favorite vehicle!

When I saw that Auto Trademarks Clock Watch had a “generic category”, I thought, “What does a generic clock look like?”  It turns out that I did not have to wonder—there are no generic clocks on this website.  Generic, in this case, just means car-related but not affiliated with a specific make or brand of automobile.

The generic merchandise available as of this writing includes disc brake caliper CD holders, a tire tape dispenser, and a spinning wheel air freshener.  All of these would look great in your auto-themed room and be useful, too.