Inverted snobbery-what is it, examples anyone.

[Alex H]

https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/search/volvo/240

"In production for nearly 20 years between 1974 and 1993, the Volvo 240 was part of the Volvo 200 series. Designed by Jan Wilsgaard, the 240 body style was based on the 1967 Volvo 140 series and was well known for its safety and reliability."

 

[Drago]

The best way to break down the different flavors of 240 is by body style. There are two-doors (242), four-doors (244), and wagons (245), with the latter two in continuous production from the start in 1975 to the model’s honorable exit in 1993. Until 1983, vehicle badges reflected the 242, 244, and 245 internal designations, but afterwards Volvo moved to a generalized 240 appellation followed by the lettered trim level (i.e. 240 DL or 240 GLT). The two-door model expired in 1984.

 

[MichaelW2]

" Inverted Snobbery"
You and your lar de da posh words, makes you sound like a right interlectual doesnt it.

 

[Threevok]

Inverted Snobbery ?

Doesn't that mean they run down the back of your throat ? Yuck

 

[Once a Wheeler]

In 1959, Vance Packard, a popular social science author wrote a book called The Status Seekers. I suspect it was this book which popularized the concept of the 'status symbol' which could be defined as a possession which implied that one was in some way superior to one's peers. Examples would be the Jaguar car on the council-house driveway, the Rolex watch worn by the accounts clerk, the tanned face in February which when remarked upon revealed the apparently modest-income owner's skiing holiday.

Packard also remarked on a phenomenon which he termed 'conspicuous abstention'. This summarized a set of behaviours which were designed to make the statement: 'I am so utterly above any status which you could possibly aspire to that I have absolutely no need for status symbols'. Possible examples which come to mind are those of Nubar Gulbenkian, the multi-billionaire who lived permanently in a suite in The Ritz hotel in Piccadilly, and travelled around London, not in chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce, but in a privately owned standard black cab; and the British Royal Family on their annual holiday in Balmoral where they actually cook some of their own meals and do their own washing up in an attempt to emulate the lives of modest citizens.

I think conspicuous abstention descends into inverted snobbery when it becomes a 'mine is worse than yours' competition. Examples might be relatively well-off people who claim 'all my clothes come from charity shops', 'I never fly within Europe', and in the not-so-distant past 'I always use a manual typewriter' and 'I only have a black-and-white TV'. The Green movement and the organic food movements are obvious domains where inverted snobbery is a constant danger alongside the genuine virtues which those movements espouse.

 

[raleighnut]

There was such a car as a 240. I've had two.

You are correct in that the numbering system started out as 2(series), 6(cylinders), 2(door) and the like. So 262 was the coupe, 245 estate, 244 saloon, 242 two door saloon etc.

However, in the early 80's it was rationalised and became 240 and 260 where the first digit was the series, second digit number of cylinders, and the 3rd meaning nothing in particukar.

This carried on into the 7 series, but towards it end it was changed again where 740 simply denoted lower spec and/or power and 760 higher spec and/or power regardless of cylinder numbers etc.

Ah my Volvo knowledge comes from the late 70's when I worked as a mechanic/apprentice at a SAAB garage but my mentor was formerly the head mechanic at a Volvo main dealer that had closed. Several customers would only let John work on their vehicles so we saw quite a few Volvos once they knew where he was working and as his apprentice I assisted.

 

[Cycleops]

Your last paragraph encapsulates inverted snobbery very well @Once a Wheeler
I think you could probably add 'I don't have a TV' to that as well.

 

[Proto]

Continuing the off topic Volvo direction, my father had a Volvo 164 in 1970 or 71, pale yellow colour. Nice enough car but didn't inspire much passion and he changed it two years later for another XJ6, 4.2L in fern green. It was terrible, troublesome Lucas electrics let it down badly..

Reverse snobbery: Fairly recently married, my wife and I needed a second car, didn't have much money and stumbled on a very cheap 2CV. We'd always liked them quirky, fun, different, so we bought it.
My mother was horrified. Commented something like this, "Typical of you two, you're just snobs. Why couldn't you buy a normal car, an Escort or Viva or something, like everyone else."

Snobs? Yes, she was right.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

A friend had a Volvo and it was so bad fuel wise, that it was the only car at the time, that we couldn’t make it to North Wales in one go.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I don't have a snobbery....

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I don't have a snobbery....

It’s where you plant your snobs

 

[Fab Foodie]

It’s where you plant your snobs

Well, be that as it maybe, I still don't have one....

 

[Jameshow]

Inverted Snobbery ?

Doesn't that mean they run down the back of your throat ? Yuck

It's it toppery with the biggest part of the bush highest?

Oh sorry that's inverted shrubbery!!

 

[DaveReading]

No such car as a 240, was it a 242 or a 244 or a 245. Volvo's numbering system denote type (2) no of cylinders (4 or 6) and number of doors (2, 4 or 5) Personally the 262 was a favourite of mine

In the days that I had a real job, my last company car was a Volvo 740 - great for camping trips to France with the kids, but a b*gger to get in and out of.

 

[lazybloke]

Is this the thread where someone inevitably draws conclusions about class by comparing ticket prices for football and the opera?
I'm far too awesome to be interested in either, but what label applies to those who enjoy football AND opera?