Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner, I've been hearing the term "Give Thanks" quite a bit lately. And even though it may be getting to overkill levels, I'd still rather hear that than Christmas commercials - which I'll be totally sick of by November 30th. As humans though, when we get sick of hearing something, even if it's positive, we tend to tune it out and ignore it. I think it runs along the same lines as being told what to do - we just don't like it. As I was coming home from the garage last night, this concept kind of hit me. How many times have I been thankful when it comes to hot rods, muscle cars, and vintage American automobile memorabilia? Now before you go off the handle and mention, "...how can you be thankful for a material object that you purchased with money?" Simple - it's not just the object, but the entire realm that hot rodding encompasses.
Getting back once more to that moment when I was driving home from the shop on Friday, I was thinking about this weeks blog and the fact I had read the news that legendary
automotive artist Art Fitzpatrick had passed away this week at the age
of 96. If you don't know who he was, and call yourself a GM fanatic of
classic cars from the 50's and 60's - shame on you. He was half the
artistic team of Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman who drew some of the most
eye-catching advertising for GM from 1959 to 1971. Everything from
Cadillac's to GTO's - Fitzpatrick drew the cars, while Kaufman drew the
people and scenery. Their work was so impressive, that for a period from
1967 through 1971, Pontiac head John DeLorean banned the use of
photographs in all sales literature (except magazine ads) and solely
used their art work. Fitzpatrick also created two series of postage
stamps from 2005 to 2008 called "On the Move" and "Tailfins and Chrome" which featured vintage Corvette's, Thunderbirds, Chrysler 300's and more. Godspeed Art Fitzpatrick.
One of the reasons Fitzpatrick gave as to why he was still kickin' in his mid-90's during an interview last summer was the fact that he was still involved in some way with automobiles - or his passion. It wasn't the money, or living in California, or women (although he said they helped). He said he was grateful he could be part of that era of beautiful cars. Looking back on my 50+ year lifespan, I could literally write a multi-page thankful / gratitude list of the people, places and things I've been able to share and engage with in regards to high performance automotive in general. Whether it be with old (and new) friends and neighbors who share a common bond with hot rods, or the massive amounts of car shows I've attended, or riding shotgun in rat rods or drag cars, or the over two dozen classic vehicles I've owned - some restored... some not - to having the chance to participate with local organizations ranging from the local tech school to a state prison.
That last item on the list - the state prison - was probably one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. At this facility about 12 miles from where I live, there used
to be a program (used to - thanks to budget cuts) where inmates who were
due to be released within the next 18 months and those who had a good
record while in prison, could participate in an auto body program the
prison offered called "Cars Not Bars". It gave inmates a chance to learn or better a
skill while working on some cool vehicles. It was the hope that once these inmates were released, they could
capitalize on these skills and obtain meaningful employment. I had a 1979 Chevy C-10 pickup at the time that
we did all the body work to - inside and out. My truck was the last
vehicle they accepted into this program. When the truck was done - so was the
program. It took us nine months to complete the work. It literally
brought the term, "...sand until you bleed" to a reality. Because there was so much metal on this truck, I vowed to make this project the last one I'd ever do this extent of body work & paint on - four years later, I'm still keeping that vow. The inmates and staff I worked with were incredible. These inmates admitted and accepted that they fucked up, were serving their time, and couldn't wait to get out - and never return to prison. To my knowledge all the inmates I worked with kept that "never to return" vow alive and four of them are working in local body shops.
- Take your child(ren) to a car show.
- Sit your kid(s) on your lap and have them "steer" the car through your neighborhood.
- Volunteer your time (if you can) with either a high school student or a non-profit organization that promotes automotive. Even if it's only one hour a week.
- Drive the hot rod, muscle car or street rod more often. Weather be damned.
- Establish a cruise-in at a cool restaurant in your town.
- Attend a racing event; be it NASCAR style or drag racing. Even if it's way local and amateur.
The list can be endless. You can take it from here. And be thankful...
Until next time, peace out.
Dave
No comments:
Post a Comment