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I think there was at least a couple German POW camps in WA state too - pretty far from the front lines. I wonder how many of those guys ended up emigrating after the war, I know it happened now and then.

I don't recall any anti-import sentiment from family members. My dad had at least one Honda bike before I was born, but always had domestic cars until he picked up a Datsun as a hobby car when he retired. My mom's first new car was a Beetle, but then had Fords until she went to Toyota in the 'oughts. I think value-seeking was behind those choices at least as much as any domestic loyalty. My brother has a thing for older Toyota pickups, aside from that no loyalty from my siblings either. I am the weirdo brand enthusiast.

Speaking of thin metal, I remember that about my dad's Datsun 610 project car, which he bought for something like $80 around Y2K. I remember going 55 mph in that car and thinking we'd be vaporized in a crash - whereas the fintail feels like it is made from surplus Panzer metal.

Speaking above of WWII vets, Greenville had Camp Reynolds, which housed German POW's, four miles south of town. My Dad said they used to march them into town on Saturdays, and back. When I was a teen and first heard that, I thought, "He can't be right....why would there be German POW's that far away from Germany?". But he was right; I've since attended historical talks that discussed it. Camp Reynolds was also the last jumping-off point for American soldiers going to Europe. Supposedly, trains (Erie railroad) leaving there had windows blacked over, to make numbers not-known to prying eyes. 900K U.S. soldiers left from there during the war.

My Stude dealer friend told me that when he'd go to NADA meetings in Detroit he'd wear a name tag with his town on it, and strangers would come up to him and say "I was stationed there".

I heard a well-loved local high school teacher and wrestling coach talk about the camp days. His mother was widowed young and cash was tight. As a young boy, he'd hang around the gate of the camp and shine shoes. He loved the soldiers coming in from downtown Greenville liquored up, as they'd give him ridiculous tips. Money to burn.

After the war, the camp closed and the buildings became business incubators bought up by some of the leading businessmen in Greenville. Most buildings are still there, but not much industry anymore, sigh. That whole area, where people built houses after the war, is known as "Reynolds", which drove my Dad, a postal employee nuts, as he'd say "There's no such thing as 'Reynolds'. It's Greenville post office", LOL.

My Dad, a Korea-era veteran although always stationed in the U.S., wouldn't even look at a British car, LOL.

Other than Filer's, the only other import cars sold new in town were Subaru, which the Pontiac dealer sold for a few years in the early '70's. I can remember maybe being 14 or so, looking at one and sitting in it. I was not impressed. I remember the doors feeling like they were one-inch thick, the wheels and tires were smaller than I'd ever seen, and a piece of plastic, I think an ash tray, I pulled and it came off in my hands, LOL. I did think frameless door glass was cool in a car that small. Now, the '73 Grand Prix SJ they had in their showroom--the interior simply blew me away!

Elder Mr. Filer was a WWI veteran who served in France. Younger Mr. Filer was a Korean war vet, stationed in Korea and spending occasional R&R in Japan.

While waiting for mom's CR-V to be serviced I walked the lot and found a few interesting items. A clean LaCrosse with 70k. A tired Prelude but still solid.

What was the price on that Buick, maybe nycarguy could get it for his son and pick up the Prelude for himself.

@driver100 said:

My neighbor has a new fancy car every week, usually two cars. I figure he must own or work for a high end leasing company, or he must be a drug dealer. This week he has an 2025 Audi RS Q8 performance model that looks great....they call it gold but it looks like a brighter type of tan color.

This picture doesn't do it justice....they only cost $156000.

But does it have a backup camera?

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Probably not since their HOA put a ban on them.

jmonroe