Everything points to small cars
Big, powerful, fast—that's how the auto industry has operated for decades. And yet, my heart often beats strongest for the little ones—for cars that you could almost wrap your arms around, and that still managed to take an entire family, luggage and all, on vacation back in the day.
Necessity is the mother of invention
Small cars have character, precisely because they lack certain things: space, power, and budget. Those who have to make do with little become resourceful. Small budgets often produce genius; large budgets—rather rarely. For me, the Mini, Fiat 500, and Citroën 2CV are masterpieces in how to turn almost nothing into something magnificent. Some features that are standard in every car today—such as the transversely mounted engine with front-wheel drive—first really took off in small cars.
Slowly Fast
My favorite argument: Small cars are fun without having to drive fast. In a small car with just a few horsepower, 50 km/h feels like breakneck speed. You drive it to the limit, shift gears with focus, and make the most of every bit of power—carrying every bit of momentum into the next curve, all without risking your driver's license. Anyone who's ever huffed and puffed their way up a mountain pass in a small car knows exactly what I'm talking about.
Honest and Direct
Many small cars hide nothing. You hear the engine, feel the road, and sometimes even smell what's going on under the hood. Driving here is a craft, not just a relaxed mode of transportation. And while a big, expensive car draws attention, it doesn't always attract friendly glances. A small car, on the other hand, puts a smile on people's faces. Almost everyone has a story to tell: their parents' first car, a family vacation in a packed little car, their first driving lessons. At the gas station or in the parking lot, you'll quickly strike up a conversation. And small cars are usually affordable. While the purchase price of classic cars doesn't always match their size—small cars tend to be more expensive—maintenance and replacement parts usually stay within reason, and they still fit in the garage. For many, the small car is therefore the gateway to the world of classic cars.
Small Cars with a Big History
Above all, however, small cars are witnesses to their times. They've made entire countries mobile and given a sense of freedom to people who previously couldn't afford a car. Their history is social and everyday history: they bear witness to rising prosperity, changes in society, and a different perception of the world. I like small cars—I also like them because they're cozy. That's what I'm thinking about right now, as we're finally getting some rain again after this summer. No matter how big the car is, the main thing is that you stay dry while driving, because any car is better than waiting outside in the rain for the bus!
