RATIONING OF AMERICAN CARS DURING WW2 1942----1946. AND WHAT"S HAPPENED SINCE.

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    No American or Canadian cars were produced between 1942 and 1946. Here's why;
    On Jan. 1st,1942, while I was still 5 years old, both the U.S. and Canada were fully embroiled in WW2 and metals of any kind were in high demand because of it. This resulted in a rationing system that included basic staples such as butter, sugar and several other commodities that we, as Americans and Canadians, had been taking for granted. Car production of any sort, was halted due to the demand for production of military armor and transportation vehicles. It kept the transportation industry plenty busy producing the equipment so desperately needed for the war effort.
    After the "freeze" was established on car production, The manufacturers were only allowed to produce vehicles for military, Gov't and certain other war related Agencies. They were given access to the  "stockpile" the car companies were allowed to keep producing.
     The toy manufacturers also became involved, in the respect of being able to convert their toy producing methods into weapons production in the matter of  one day in some cases. I understand they played a large roll in the manufacturing of war related goods because of their ability to do this.
    A little known fact was the retention of salvaged "points" that were commonly used in ignitions for gas engine vehicles. By law they had to be saved for the Tungsten ingredient that was so badly needed in the war effort.
    The most popular vehicle for passenger use, was the 1941 Plymouth P-11, 4 door Sedan. It was widely used by the Military for general transport throughout the war years. It came with an 87 hp, 6 cylinder engine and a 3 speed, low ratio, manual transmission. Being a four door, it also had the "suicide" back doors. They had a tendency to be dangerous, because if they were opened while travelling, the wind would slam them wide open and create a suction strong enough to pull a smaller person out.
    I remember getting a ride in one of those and someone slamming the door on my fingers, "OUCH".
    Chrysler did well during the war years with that car, and the gazillion Jeeps they produced as well.
    The "Big Three", which Chrysler, General motors and Ford became known as, thrived in the years following WW2. Production of civilian vehicles started again in 1946.
    Greedy for profits though, they began outsourcing many parts to be made cheaper somewhere other than the North American continent. Their profits increased but the quality and longevity of those parts went down,causing an increased repair cost to the consumer. But who really cares about the consumer?? The people who converted to the Japanese vehicles that arrived in 1958, that's who!!
Toyota and Nissan stepped up to the plate and what's more, the longevity of their parts were much superior. I don't see where there's going to be much improvement in the near future, either. Sure, the "Big Three" are displaying all the latest in technology, but who's going to be able to afford to replace the components once the warrantees expire? What's that you say?? OH!!! China to the rescue. I got it!!
    Just sayin'.