September – Time Travel to 1975

🏎️ Dezo’s Garage – Monthly Extra

September 2025

✨ This Month’s Extra: A Look Back to September 1975

This month is special — I turn 50 years old in September! To mark the occasion, we’re firing up the time machine and heading back to the month and year it all began: September 1975.

📰 The Headlines

September 1975 was full of drama. President Gerald Ford survived two assassination attempts in California, the U.S. economy was struggling with stagflation, and the nation was finding its footing after the end of the Vietnam War.

🎬 At the Movies

On the big screen, “Jaws” still had people afraid to go in the water, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was wowing critics with Jack Nicholson, and Al Pacino lit up theaters in “Dog Day Afternoon.”
On television, “Happy Days” was dominating, with the Fonz quickly becoming a cultural icon.

🎵 On the Radio

The airwaves were alive with an eclectic mix:

Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell
Fame – David Bowie
Jive Talkin’ – The Bee Gees
At Seventeen – Janis Ian

📊 Vital Stats – 1975

New Car: $4,250
Gas: 57¢/gallon
Average Income: $11,800
New House: $39,300
Postage Stamp: 10¢

🚘 Cars of September 1975

The automotive world was in transition. Muscle cars were losing steam, emissions regulations were tightening, and fuel efficiency was suddenly in the spotlight. But chrome, stripes, and personality were still alive and well.

Chevrolet Chevette – GM’s new subcompact, built for economy.
Ford Mustang II – Downsized for the times, but still sold in big numbers.
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – Style and attitude, even as horsepower dropped.
Cadillac Eldorado – A rolling symbol of American luxury.
Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf) – A new kind of compact, pointing toward the future.

🚦 From the Driver’s Seat

Gas at 57¢ a gallon may sound like a dream now, but drivers then weren’t thrilled about rising prices. Eight-tracks clunked between Glen Campbell and David Bowie while cruising down Main Street, and the big question was: could American cars stay stylish and fun while adjusting to the new era?

🎥 Flashback Moment

Friday night, September 1975. You pull into the drive-in, Jaws up on the giant outdoor screen. Your Monte Carlo gleams under neon lights, chrome bumpers shining. An eight-track clicks to Bowie’s Fame. The popcorn is hot, the engine rumbles softly, and for a moment — the open road feels endless.

🏁 Final Gear

September 1975 was a turning point for cars and culture alike. The muscle era was fading, imports were gaining ground, and Detroit was redefining itself. But one thing hasn’t changed in 50 years: cars remain at the center of freedom, style, and identity.

👤 Personal Note

As I celebrate my 50th birthday, looking back on September 1975 reminds me that this history isn’t just about the world of cars — it’s also where my own story began. Half a century later, the styles may have changed, the prices may have skyrocketed, but the passion for cars and the freedom of the open road still feel the same. Here’s to the past, the present, and many more miles ahead.