What moves us: Differences in cultural attitudes toward automotive preservation and use between Scandinavia and the United States

When it comes to engaging with our automotive history, it is not correctness, monetary worth, or pristine condition that matters, but whether it moves us. This chapter presents three case studies of three national-level car organizations in the United States, Denmark, and Norway, each concentrating on a specific segment of the vintage car field. In the United States, while hot rodders, rat rodders, low-riders, and kustomizers celebrate the endless artistic and engineering possibilities of the automobile, factory-stock enthusiasts in formal groups focus more on the accurate preservation and reconstruction of factory specifications. The management of a typical stock-leaning club places more value on factory-accurate restoration and points-based judging. In contrast, vintage car groups in both Denmark and Norway, encourage active use of vehicles, including a driving component at most formal gatherings. Danes and Norwegians alike encourage outside participation in their events, coordinating with local municipalities to maximize opportunities for spectators to enjoy the cars.