Ramtin Arablouei

Thanks to Casey Murrell, Don Gagne, Corey Turner, Blaise Adler-Ivanbrook, Lawrence Wu, Casey Miner, Amiri Tulla, Christina Kim, and Devin Katiyama for their voiceover work. Thank you to the Chinese Historical Society of America for all their help. Thanks also to Tamar Charney and Anya Grundman.

This episode was mixed by Josh Newell.

This episode was mixed by Josh Newell.

This episode was mixed by Josh Newell.

And finally, if you have an idea or like something you heard on the show, please write us at ThruLine at NPR.org.

And finally, if you have an idea or like something you heard on the show, please write us at ThruLine at NPR.org.

And finally, if you have an idea or like something you heard on the show, please write us at ThruLine at NPR.org.

The year is 1960.

The year is 1960.

The year is 1960.

You've got an urge to hit the open road, to touch the black asphalt of the nation's new interstate highways that are being built all around the country.

You've got an urge to hit the open road, to touch the black asphalt of the nation's new interstate highways that are being built all around the country.

You've got an urge to hit the open road, to touch the black asphalt of the nation's new interstate highways that are being built all around the country.

Now, all you need is the perfect car.

Now, all you need is the perfect car.

Now, all you need is the perfect car.

Compact, sleek, a thing of beauty. Have a safe drive. You turn on your car radio and that iconic summer place song starts playing. When you hit the highway, you roll your window down, letting the wind rush through your hair. This is the American dream, riding in an American car on an American road, boundless and free.

Compact, sleek, a thing of beauty. Have a safe drive. You turn on your car radio and that iconic summer place song starts playing. When you hit the highway, you roll your window down, letting the wind rush through your hair. This is the American dream, riding in an American car on an American road, boundless and free.

Compact, sleek, a thing of beauty. Have a safe drive. You turn on your car radio and that iconic summer place song starts playing. When you hit the highway, you roll your window down, letting the wind rush through your hair. This is the American dream, riding in an American car on an American road, boundless and free.

When you come up across a slight turn, you keep your foot on the gas, cruising along. For a moment, you feel the wheels slip, the car no longer in your control. But then it comes back again. You think it's fine. It's a brand new car right off the dealership block. You come up on another turn, this time a wider one. You stay the course when...