Comebacks we'd like to see: #8 -- An ode to the full sized spare tire

This post is part of our series ranking the top 25 bygone products and trends we'd like to see return.

There was a time not so long ago when all automobiles were outfitted to carry full-sized spare tires. As the automobile import age overtook us and cars were made smaller to facilitate profitable international shipment, everything became much smaller, including the spare tire. This is my humble salute to the full-sized spare tire.

Where have you gone, my full sized spare?
Oh valiant warrior filled with air.
Once taking space in every trunk,
they excised you as bulky junk
to be replaced by lighter fare
which brought along it's own canned air.

In times gone past you'd flaunt you plans
on fronts of jeeps and backs of vans.
But Honda, Datsun and the like
brought your demise sans driven spike,
which brought forth yelps from Michelin Man;
"They've put to rest one-fifth my clan!"

Some of us still have the luck
to keep a real spare on our truck.
Tucked way up high between rear wheels,
some say we just like how it feels.
But when you're flat in fields of muck,
to lack full spare can really... be unfortunate.

G.E.Sattler, 2008

What car memories stick with you?