"It's Just A Car..."

   "It's just a car..." You gotta admit - that statement can conjure up a mixed bag of emotions depending on how it's used. It also depends on when or the time-frame as to its use. This concept crossed my mind the other day as I was delivering an almost new 2015 Dodge Charger with about 6,000 miles on it to my oldest daughter and son-in-law. They were going to attend an automotive technicians convention in Connecticut over the weekend and didn't feel like taking their 4x4 truck which gets around 16 miles to the gallon at best. For just under $100 for the entire weekend, they could enjoy worry-free driving and have some fun to boot. The icing on the cake, was they would be reimbursed for the cost of the rental plus fuel. In other words, their use of the Charger was completely free.

While we were driving around, both my daughter and her husband were surprised at the pickup the six cylinder Charger had. No V-8 or turbo under the hood. Welcome to 2015 kids and the joys of variable valve timing, computer and electronic controlled everything, as well as modern engineering to the nth degree. While we were talking and they were both excited about driving a new Charger for the first time, the following words came out of my mouth; "... it's just a car."

That got me to thinking if this scenario were any different. If I was driving an SRT Challenger Hellcat, would I be saying the same thing? Or what if we were cruising around in a cool street rod, even though it was a modern kit from Factory Five? Taking things a step further, did people say the same thing 45 years ago in regards to a Hemi 'Cuda, Boss 429 Mustang, or an LS6 Chevelle?
"Those were unique and special cars... even back then", you might respond. Well, chew on this - "Big Willie" Robinson regularly drove and raced a 1969 Hemi Daytona on the streets of Los Angeles for years. That car was also unique, or special, or rare back then. To Willie, it was just a car...

If you have an afternoon, browse through some enthusiast magazines from the late 50's through the early 70's. Maybe you have a friend or relative who has quite a collection. There are test drives (at least that's what they called them) of now-very rare cars that the staff is just absolutely beating on. I'm talking about Shelby Mustangs, 425 horsepower R-code Fords, 427 Yenko Camaros and Novas, and modifying a Hemi engine with only 100 miles on it. Relax - it's just a car...

I feel what affects a certain mindset at a particular time is a vehicles purpose. Take for example, the ultra-rare 1963 Pontiac "Swiss Cheese" Catalina. Pontiac didn't build these cars (and associated parts) to become the high dollar collectibles they are today. They were built for one thing only - drag racing. And be damn good at it as well.

I can remember a time back in the late 60's and early 70's when the round chrome air cleaners that were stock on Chrysler's mighty 426 Hemi were considered "trash". Too restrictive in many a speed-freaks eyes. Why use them when something better that could help produce more horsepower was available? They were just parts on a car...

It's that unique prospective that allows me (and others) a certain mental freedom. Some of those freedoms can be found in driving, not trailering, a rare muscle car. Or perhaps cruising in a beautiful street rod that has over $75,000 dollars invested in it. It may involve nostalgia drag racing a factory 1968 Hemi Dart or Barracuda. It also allows me to view with an open mind and photograph a rare muscle car rotting away in a salvage yard. Instead of asking, "How could someone allow this to happen?" I can just remember; Hey - back then - it was just a car...

Until next time, peace out,
Dave