The 1950s, decade of classic cars, slicked hair, and music that made people move their hips in ways they never had before. The post-war economic upswing fueled this explosion of pop culture, and not just in America. When young people in Sweden caught glimpse of America's march toward sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll—and the notion that they could also buy their own cars—they wanted in, too.

America of the 1950s was replaced by America of the 1960s, and then the 70s and 80s. But parts of Sweden stayed behind. Not out of Cuba-like economic suffocation, but by choice. "The culture stagnated and a lot of Swedish youth is still engaged in what's best described as a subculture focused on the