It Doesn't Matter

If there was an official vintage automotive calendar issued by the state of Maine, I'm almost pure-positive that the date of May 1st each year would be some sort of loose holiday or at minimum the square for that date would be highlighted. The reason? It is the unofficial start of the car show / cruise-in season. I've attended a few already, and while a particular concept I'm going to delve into this week has faded quite a bit over the past 10 years, I still see it rear it's ugly head from time to time. The concept of an owner down-playing their ride because it isn't 100% done. Or it's not as nice as other examples on display. To that, I say, "Bullshit - it doesn't matter." I take as many pictures as I can and just about every owner is tickled because I care enough to photograph a particular aspect of their ride. I've had guys open up the hood of their muscle car when normally they wouldn't do so. I have women pose with and on their incredible motorcycles. I've also had a few objections, all of which to date have been the same question; "... why would you want to photograph that?"

For example, I was snapping a few pics of a nice 1956 Ford Town Sedan. One aspect I found the most interesting (and somewhat hilarious), was one of the side emblems just ahead of the quarter panel. The left hand side emblem was missing the letter "N" at the end of "Sedan". The font that was used back then was a certain script letter. Without the "N" the emblem nearly damn looks like "Town Soda". I also thought - if the other "N" were to go missing from the end of "Town", it would've read "Tow Sedan." I know it's very minor, but I thought it was cool - especially with the trace amount of patina and scale behind the emblem. That one shot showed originality, a life driven, and some humor. After I explained this to the owner, he saw his classic in an entirely new way. To me, even though his Ford wasn't perfect and had some flaws, it didn't matter.

I photographed a beautiful red 1965 Chevy C-10 this weekend as well. The gentleman who owned it was a Vietnam veteran and always wanted a hot rod truck with a big block, 4-speed, and "really snazzy wheels" as he puts it. However, he was a bit sheepish at first when I first started taking some pictures. I asked him some basic questions, which he answered readily. When I asked him about the paint, he was unsure about certain details. "I purchased the truck just as you see it. I didn't do anything to it. I didn't restore it." To me, that didn't matter. I also knew this truck was not cheap to purchase. I reassured him that it takes nerves of steel to put your John Hancock on a check for 20 or 30,000 dollars and even more stroke if you hand over that amount in cash. I know - I've done it.

The "It doesn't matter" concept also applies to me. I was cruising the Racing Junk website the other day, I came to a sudden and stark conclusion. It happened when I was checking out 1987 through 1991 Fox body Mustang's as well as 1930-1939 street rods. I found myself that if the Mustang couldn't cut a sub 12-second quarter mile, or if the street rod didn't have either a big block or a small block with some type of blower, I wasn't going to consider it. I found myself thinking that 350 rear wheel horsepower is not enough. It has to be well over 400 if not cresting 450 horsepower. That's when I knew I was spoiled when it comes to horsepower. Most people have no clue just how fast a car that can burn up the 1320 in 12 seconds flat is. I have to remind myself that even though part of me may crave a 9-second animal, it's most likely going to be hell to drive on the street - at least here in Maine. We have crap for gas, and crap for roads. The fact that whatever vehicle that's for sale can "only" cut really low 12's really shouldn't matter. Besides - I can always make it faster if I wish.

So remember - if you own a hot rod, muscle car, or street rod that isn't finished yet; drive it anyways. Who cares if it isn't painted yet. If someone bitches, tell them to pay for the paint and materials - that will shut them up. If the car you're seriously looking to buy meets all your criteria, except it's just a second too slow in the quarter; buy it. You can make it hotter in good time. Besides, if you don't buy that car, you'll be looking for at least another year to find another one that comes that close. Get out and have fun. Time is short - let the naysayers be negative. You'll be the one cruising in that cool ride, sitting in that sweet spot in the drivers seat, heading off into the sunset - while they hop into their pedestrian mini-van...

Until next time, peace out.
Dave