 |
| I've been a fan for a long time. |
Outwit, Outlast, Out play
I'll admit that I'm a longtime fan of this show. Tonight I was watching the first episode of the 20th season."Winners at War." That got me to thinking.
As usual I've been looking at different cars to replace the current cars in my fleet. But maybe I've been looking at it all wrong.
All of my hobby cars were purchased for a reason. I'll admit that a lot of it had to do with price, low price in each instance. But there was more to it.
My hobby cars may seem like a rag tag collection, but like the players in Survivor, they can be considered to form a tribe.
I specifically chose each of these cars. The 1970 Mustang was chosen because I wanted a classic pony car. It was my attempt to make an end run around the high price of well preserved example. The XJS was chosen because I wanted something special. I believe that I used the term "legendary!" The XJ6 was selected because I wanted a "plush car" that was ready to go when I bought it. Don't forget, I drove Cadillacs for a very long time. The '51 Jag was selected because I wanted a real vintage car, something that was old and simple, and could provide me with a bridge to Jaguar's glory days of the 1950s.
They were all wanted and all valued, but if I have to cull the herd...
Maybe I should submit each car to a tribal council and decide it's fate.
If that car is voted out then I'll focus on the next car in line, and subject them to the same trial.
Ultimately there might be only one car standing, or maybe there will be no car standing!
I will invest some effort in each car and see if it can really satisfy the "need' that I thought it would.
First up was the '70 Mustang. I invested time, money, and effort into the car with some success.
Ultimately it was found lacking and it's torch was extinguished.
I should have known that things were not going to turn out well going in. I just ignored the signs.
Now it's the XJS's turn to stand trial. It's kind of like the handsome, muscle bound guy that everyone figures will be a shoo in to win. Of course it's going to have the most targets painted on it's back!
First, I will evaluate it's condition and determine if it could really be a useful car.
I've brought it to pretty good running condition and I'm in the process of putting some miles on it.
While I'm doing that, I should get some solid estimates for some of the essential repairs that it really needs, suspension and top, for example. Other things can wait. I remember how I drove my '66 Riviera without a working heater for almost two years, The a/c was never repaired and the body work and paint was never even started. I fixed what it needed to run safely and reliably. It didn't look that good. Still that didn't stop me from driving and enjoying the car for many years.
For example, if the XJS should survive tribal council and I decide to invest more into it, then the next remaining car will have to stand judgement to maintain it's place in my fleet.
The XJ6 would have to face the fire next. It comes into the arena in a really strong position. Since I bought it in good running condition I decided to use it as an everyday driver. I did use it. I really put the miles on. I even drove up to Washington state on vacation. It wasn't until the suspension loosened up that I cut back on driving it. It's a beautiful luxurious car that has provided me with many glorious driving days and loads of wonderful memories. Owning it has been a most satisfying experience. I just have to get an estimate on the suspension rebuild. It's earned it's keep around camp.
The '96 Mustang has won total immunity from standing in tribal counsel. It has given me such good satisfying service that I have no doubt about it's value. It is also the only one of my cars that my Wife will consider driving. So it is affiliated with the strongest alliance, counting my Wife and myself in the circle. A clever gambit.
My Explorer also enjoys a special status. Although I originally bought it for my Daughter to use, I've found it to be of extreme utility. I like the way it looks, drives and I find also find it very comfortable. I came very late to the SUV appreciation game, but it seems that now, I'm all in. Currently it enjoys limited immunity.
There's still one more player to figure in. That's my Mark VII. However it's not actively playing the game right now. It's sitting it out on the Edge of Extinction! Whether or not it makes it back into the land of the living remains to be seen.
 |
| It could be a game changer! |
Who will survive? Who can mastermind a blind side? Are there any hidden immunity idols hidden, just waiting to be found?
Beats me, tune in and find out!
No comments:
Post a Comment