The first new car I ever bought was from Arnie Yusim Chevrolet in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood from the man on the right. I was out photographing when I walked by this dealership on Broadway, a Chevette caught my eye. It was Chevy’s first compact hatchback design, a response to the small Japanese vehicles sweeping America after the OPEC oil embargo in 1973. Commercials for the vehicle featured a tall woman and man saying, “I’m 6’4″ and my husband is 6’6″, yet we both fit in this Chevy Chevette.” My emotional response was, “No way.” I’m 6’6″ and I don’t fit in compact cars. So when I saw the Chevette on this lot, I stopped to look at it. This salesman convinced me to take it home and try it for a weekend. “If you like it,” he said, “bring a check back on Monday for a down payment. If you don’t like it, just bring the car back.” I DID fit in the vehicle. At one point, I even managed to put a 108″ stainless steel darkroom sink into it. The American car industry was much maligned at the time, but I loved that car and it served me well for many years.
