That Old Car Owning Dream

I saw a late 1960's BMW Tilux 2000 in the parking lot near work (again) yesterday. Its paint was shot and with its windows open, you could smell the deteriorating upholstery. But I wanted it anyway.

What is it about old cars? They pollute like crazy, can fall victim to any number of mechanical problems and, if collectible, can cost a ton of money to buy and to restore. They aren't safe on the road (no airbags, crush zones, or likely, anti-lock brakes). But they stand out.

I read various collectible car magazines, such as Hemmings Classic Car, appreciating the 12 years some guy spent restoring his 1954 MG or 1967 Chevy, and the "driveable dreams" that seem to keep on going without anything but a tune up and oil change. But I actually have a cute little old collector's car in my garage and won't go near it.

Maybe it's all about the delta between your dreams and reality, or what you'd LIKE to like and what you actually enjoy doing. I appreciate it when those big guys run up and down the basketball court and put the basketball in the hoop but I'd never want to do that myself. When my friend hiked the Pacific Coast Trail last year I was very impressed--but I find it hard to get to my local park on the weekend.

But I still admire those old beasts as they cruise through the sea of Honda Civics, Toyota Camrys and Chevy Malibus. Give me a 1973 Volvo 1800es!

Hemmings - The Joy of Old Cars

Yesterday, as I walked up to one of my favorite brunch spots, I saw a 1966 Ford Mustang coupe parked right in front (see photo). It was in nice, running condition, with good metallic blue paint and original wheel covers. I smiled in recognition and appreciation.

As I left after a tasty Creole chicken omelette, I saw a clean, driveable c. 1961 Volvo P1800 drive up and park right behind the Mustang. Heaven.

I love old cars, even if they are not very environmentally friendly. Seeing them out on the road is great fun, and always has been. I also enjoy reading about them, and for that, there's Hemmings Classic Car for American models and Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car for imported cars.

Not only is it fun to look at the photos of the old cars, but you can read about the adventures of people who go beyond looking and take on the often arduous long term and expensive task of restoring these cars and preserving them for future generations. These highly obsessive folks are like the people in, say, a muscle-building magazine who are highly developed, or the tattoo folks with bodies covered with ink. They're the super achievers.

I especially enjoy the Driveable Dream sections in each publication. These stories are about old cars and their owners, but the cars are used by the people and are normally running, clean, but imperfect vehicles--like the ones I saw in front of my brunch spot. Sometimes, they are surprisingly old--like a 1938 Buick, for example, but still have original paint and interior fabric.

Meanwhile, I keep looking and reading, and, someday, I'll get my 1956 Nash Metropolitan back on the road and someone else will get to enjoy it when they see me drive by.