That’s how my father (who’s 89) has described car dealers of the past to me, as well. The question seems to be, just how long ago did the business model change.
My recollection is that the two new cars my family bought in the early '70s were ordered; I distinctly remember the neighbors buying a new car in that same era, and having to wait several months for it to arrive from the plant.
As I recall …
The big dealerships that stocked material numbers of new cars got started in around 1980. Before that you almost had to order a new car from the factory.
IIRC, that was also about that time that the manufacturers began to bundle accessories into “trim levels” and “convenience packages” and such. Before that the customizable features on cars were pretty much 100% a la carte. To be sure the total range of options on cars have gotten vastly larger as cars have gotten more sophisticated. But even on a high-end current car you may really only have 3 or 4 major decisions to make, versus 10 on a 1965 station wagon.
Oooo, was that an Impala? Parents of a friend of mine in grade school bought a white and aqua Impala, and I thought it was the coolest looking car in the world. Well, I was like ten.
Yeah, I guess all that makes sense. We’re so used to giant dealerships now that it seems it was always like that, but if I think back to the 60s and 70s, the few I can remember (I wasn’t much into cars back then, and we never bought a new car, so I never went to one) were pretty small in comparison.
Thanks, and thus endith the hijack.
Alien Green was really popular for a while. I looked at one of those when I was car shopping several years ago. It also had interior disco-like lights. I liked how different it was from other cars I was seeing but the back window was too small for my comfort and I passed.
I rarely/never bother to lock my car. Soft top Wrangler, so what’s the point?
To keep out @pulykamell who cant’s seem to tell his car from yours. Of course! 
Blue cars in general are making a comeback. There’s a greater range of blues than there used to be, it seems. When I was a kid, a kind of metallic baby blue was popular, with the occasional dark/navy blue car popping up as well.
By the 90s, I started noticing a few models coming in a vibrant royal blue. That particular color has seemed to stay semi-popular ever since – nowhere near as common as the grayscales, but fairly well represented among drivers who sought to avoid black/white/silver.
These days, there are several nice-looking variations from that royal blue out there, such as the cerulean you noted. An indigo blue that’s presents a hint of purple in the right light. And a variety of desaturated teals one of which is the late-model Chevrolet’s Pacific Blue.
That’s essentially the color of our Mazda CX-7, which I mentioned upthread. (It’s a great color!)
I miss the 70s, when you get a Ford in Hulla Blue, Anti-Establish Mint, Original Cinnamon, Thanks Vermillion and Freudian Gilt.
There is a car this color that I occasionally see around and about. Usually parked at the grocery. Next time I see it, I will have to take note of the model. I think it’s a late-model Jaguar – and that green is gorgeous.
Toyota released one of their sports cars in British Racing Green recently – only they changed the name of the color to ‘Hakone Green’. Looks great under any name.
I bought my first car in 1982. It was a bright yellow 1973 Mustang with a V8 351 Cleveland engine. Maybe it wasn’t the best choice for an 18 year old; its color attracted more attention than a young girl with a preexisting case of lead foot needed.
Last year, I bought a 2020 Fusion Titanium and was looking for a black one. Since it was the final production year for the model, the only one I could find was bright metallic red. I do like it, especially because it’s much easier to find in a parking lot.
It may have been! It was a 56 or 57 (I was b. 1957). I was 10 in 1968, and I do recall much more colorful traffic.
Hold my beer and watch this!
Anecdotal evidence here for ordering from the factory.
Growing up, my mother was very dismissive of used cars. “Why buy someone else’s troubles?”. I remember them owning a 60-something Plymouth that was built to be a police car, but ended up sold to the public, so that was probably off of the lot. The first car I remember them buying was a 72 Buick Skylark. Champaign Gold. Yes, they ordered from the factory. Distinctly remember that. The next car they bought was a 76 Ford Granada. Red with a black fabric-covered roof (a faux convertable). I think it was ordered, but I’m not sure. Next new car (they actually had a used Datsun in there as a second car) was (I think) a 82 Buick. I was in college, so I don’t know if it was ordered or off the lot.
I remember the 72 Buick being planned, because we were going on a big trip over the summer. From Illinois, down to Texas, out to California, up to Washington, and back. Got caught in a sand storm in California; front end was sand blasted. Windshield was so pockmarked you couldn’t see. I also remember my parents complaining about the clutch; taking it back to the dealer who always said nothing was wrong. After the trip and after the warrantee was out, the dealer said “Gee, you need a new clutch!” Those were the days where a car lasting for 100,000 miles was a huge milestone; now, if it doesn’t make 100,000, it’s a lemon.
My car is this shade of dark blue:
I saw a bright yellow car today. My first thought was, I have to tell the Dopers.
Ford has been offering some brights recently. The front car below is what Ford calls Yellow Peel, and the one behind it is Grabber Lime. These are/were stock colors for Mustangs in recent years (unsure for 2022 models).
Ford has also off-and-on offered a color called Cyber Orange (top image below) … but to me, it looks pretty much like taxicab yellow. I remember seeing something close to this color on some mid-1990 Ford Ranger Splash pickups, as well.
That dark blue that pops is a nice addition to the overall car color palette. The new Kia Stingers come in a similar color and look fantastic, especially in person.
I’m pretty sure this is accurate (even if “Crosstrek” is spelled wrong. Oh… now I see it sez “colours.” Hmmm…)
The point I’m trying to make is that Subarus are available in some cool colors.
Those are some cool colors.
OTOH, when I look at the current Crosstrek inventory at my local Subaru dealer, they have:
So, no blue, no red, no yellow, at least not in inventory.
