Just What Is A Gearhead?

Because of the fact that I can honestly admit that I am one, sometimes I'm surprised at the number of people who ask me that question - "What exactly is a gearhead?" A good number of folks seem to be familiar with the term, but often confuse it with the casual automotive enthusiast. In simpler terms, a good majority of the public lump gearheads into the vast, but vague group of people who "are into cars" - individuals who attend car shows, have a fair working knowledge of a vehicle's basic mechanical systems, who receive a subscription or two of a monthly publication, whether it be Hot Rod, or Street Rodder, or Motor Trend, or even possibly own a late model "performance oriented" vehicle.

But being a gearhead is more than that - way more. Do they eat, sleep & breathe cars? Without a doubt. Are they always looking fora way to modify them in some positive way? Absolutely. But most gearheads that I know are, in one form or another, successful individuals on some level. Gearheads are always dreaming big and shooting for the stars. Sometimes we succeed, other times we don't. The failures don't matter - we learn from them. Shooting for the stars sounds like some huge vision on a grand scale. Unfortunately, that's where most people stop - the scale of the dream is so big, some type of fear takes hold and that's the end of things. For a gearhead, that's the first notion that gets tossed. Success is not measured solely on the level of majestic.

Maybe I can't afford a Dodge Hellcat, or a Shelby GT500, but I can buy a Fox-bodied Mustang and put more power under its hood than Ford ever dreamed of. And I can reach 700 horsepower for about one-fifth of what those new vehicles cost. It's not about lowering one's standards, it's about making the most of what you have and having an absolute fucking blast while doing it. But if you dig deeper, being a gearhead can be even more than that. It's about learning new things, automotive wise (especially if it's really creative & it somehow works), then using or passing on that knowledge to others - especially if they're stranded on the side of the road and AAA is no help.

Being a gearhead, however, is not about being stupid. Busted knuckles is one thing, experimenting and trying something different is all part of the game. But getting injured because you don't follow common safety, or saw blades fly around because you're being careless is not. However, it is just as much about driving as it is tinkering. It's about leaving your fears in the driveway, embracing the unknown, taking the back roads, and accepting the good with the bad whether it be grooving on a beautiful sunset or cussing at the latest breakdown. Trust me - you'll have cool stories that will stick with you for a lifetime... and that's what matters.

Gearheads come in many forms - male, female, young, old, conservative or rebellious. I can remember having a conversation with a guy who absolutely loves tri-5 Chevy's. He's owned several of them and his wife currently owns a mint 1956 BelAir. He's always had a soft spot for how they look - especially the interiors. I told them to thank the "Damsels of Design" for that. If you don't know who they are, you should. In a nutshell, they were responsible for the colors, the fabrics, the features, options, and the styling (inside & out) that made the vehicles more appealing to women. They were also really into automobiles! Google them for more information.

E.J. Potter once said, "Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even usually surpassing knowledge." This can be a key mantra to the gearhead world. History has showed us that people from a working farm, of all places, whether down South or from the Midwest, has produced some borderline geniuses. One Elon Jack Potter from Michigan was one such genius. The guy had a yen for strapping small block Chevy engines onto Harley Davidson motorcycles. All his creations were direct drive and had a slew of other then unheard of inventions. He eventually got into building automobiles with Allison aircraft engines as well as a jet-powered trike. It is absolutely amazing the guy never got killed and died of natural causes in 2012 at the age of 71.

Finally, being a grearhead is nothing new. It goes way back - minimum to the 1920's if not farther. Face it - there were no cell phones, AAA, or an automotive garage in almost every town if you turn the clock back just shy of a hundred years ago. You had a breakdown - you fixed it. Or you had a long walk ahead of you. It was American ingenuity at its finest. It's comforting to know that still exists today - and a concept we can't afford to lose. If you have some serious automotive skills, pass it on to whomever you can. Even if that person doesn't share or embrace your passion, they will be grateful that some bit of knowledge stuck with them at a key moment that will, without question, save their ass in some fashion.

Until next time, peace out.
Dave