For this Friday’s Museum of Possibilities, I’ve decided to spare readers from having to read a lengthy text – occasionally longwinded and self-referential – by offering my concept in comics format. The reader will only need to scan a very few sentences to get the point. While I may not possess a perfect understanding of all the factors contributing to the ludicrously high cost of auto insurance – jacked up in part because of the nation’s car chassis worship – I am glad to suggest a solution: Automobiles could be pre-wrecked at the factory.
Auto manufacturers already have the necessary expertise to design robots capable of pounding, denting, “keying,” and scratching a new automotive finish without compromising functionality or safety. Engineers would be able to design underlying structures so that wiring, airflow and access by mechanics remained intact. Would I buy a pre-dented car? No, not unless it became the new standard for automotive beauty. Until then, I would let others be early adopters.
Damaged cars are less likely to be stolen, too. I should know -I've driven damaged cars most of my life!
Oh, and Miss C., right-of-way always belongs to the biggest, ugliest car.
i've done something similar to the interior of my car - i ripped out the stereo and removed the steering column cover. it makes my car look as if it has already been stolen and/or robbed. an amp in the trunk provides the tunes, with a stereo headphone jack hidden away in the hole where the stereo used to be.
Mie: I completely agree with you, and was thinking of the exact same thing. Faded, ripped-up jeans.
Steve: If you run for office, I'd vote for you!! :)