Partnerships Past

The impending partnership between Chrysler and Fiat brought me back to the 80's when AMC merged with Renault, creating the Renault Alliance car. It seemed like a good thing at the time. It was 1983. I was in my 20's.

All I know is that I wanted that car! I really wanted the convertible, but, had to settle for the sedan version. My car looked just like the one on the left...even the cinnamon color.

I thought it was beyond cool. I wouldn't be caught dead in it today. However, my taste in cars, as well as in men had a lot of growing up to do. Looking back, I made two flawed choices: the boyfriend and the car.

Both are history. I bought the car because of the boyfriend. I no longer have either. Let me tell you about the car.

The first thing I should have taken seriously was the steering wheel. It was always crooked so if I were to straighten it out while driving I'd end up in the next lane. No big deal, I thought.

I remember that it died on me on the way home from work one night, about 2 in the morning. I was driving on La Cienega through Ladera Heights, you know, where it's dark and desolate and kind of creepy. No cell phones, at least I didn't have one at the time. That's when you had to wait for someone to stop and hopefully call a tow-truck for you.

Yeah, the details are vague, but I do remember a few stoppers by and eventually getting the help I needed. There were other events, but I really don't remember much else save for the last day I drove my car to work.

That was the day it caught on fire for no apparent reason. I was on my way to work, driving on the 405 North towards the La Cienega off ramp when I saw tendrils of smoke rising from the hood of my car. I thought I even saw a lick of flame coming through the seam where the hood meets the fender.

My first thought was that I was imagining things, but then I really saw fire. I pulled over fast and jumped out of my car...grabbing purse, airline i.d....(crazy me) and ran like hell. Poof. My car became a little inferno on the side of the freeway.

You know how it is, driving by the poor soul who is pulling their hair watching their car torch into a beautiful blazing bonfire. That was me.

All I know is that there are some very good Samaritans on our highways. I received all kinds of help, again, without a cell phone or any other technological gadget save for the roadside phone box. Humanity can be a beautiful experience, just watch out what car you buy.

I hated that car. The Renault Alliance was supposed to be a merger of European design and American ingenuity. Poor design made it self destruct.

About 6 months after my car spontaneously combusted I received a recall letter stating there was a risk of fire due to faulty electrical issues. Yeah, well, good riddance.