This is why we can't have nice things!

Photo from the internet,
not my table. 

This is a refrain that we might have heard from our Mothers as we were growing up. Or we just might have heard it from our Wives or Significant Others in the present. 

I recall it being a lament, when as a youngster I would be careless with something that my Mother valued. Something that was special, meaning sentimental, fancy, somewhat expensive, and easily broken. Especially by a ham handed young boy or careless grown man. This was before she would snatch it out of my hands. 

I will admit that I just didn't get it when I was a kid. I was probably no more careless than any other boy my age, and I didn't see the value in that particular object. 

It takes some time and life experience to develop the feeling around something that is "special."

It could be a family heirloom. It doesn't have to be expensive like fine china, crystal, or precious metals. It just needs to be something that the owners value and care about. An object that has either acquired a strong personal or familial connection, or is something that a person has wanted for a long time. Something that took some sacrifice and effort to obtain.

I was reminded of this during the After Thanksgiving ritual and chore of washing the dishes. In my house, my wife does all the cooking, I don't enjoy it aside from an occasional barbecue. I do the dishes. All the time. My Wife was feverishly preparing the food for cooking, then getting everything in the oven and on the stove to have it all ready for the family feast. Of course, that takes a lot of pots and pans and measuring cups and spoons, and ladles. All of the hardware that is needed to prepare a large multi item dinner. During this process I would dutifully wash dirty pots and pans as they were generated. 

Thanksgiving dinner is the only real "formal" dinner that we celebrate. Formal in the sense that we all sit at the same table with table cloths and cloth napkins, and eat at the same time using the good china, crystal stemware, and silverware that my Mom gave to my Wife. In the past we would combine a couple of tables in the dining room to accommodate the number of family members and guests. We liked making the meal into something "special" that takes a little effort, but it's important to us. The kids seem to appreciate it.

We don't exactly present a Norman Rockwell image at dinnertime, but we do try to make some pleasant family moments. 

Washing the china, glassware, and silverware requires care on my part. I have to be very careful as I wash these by hand. I can't wave things around and bang things into the sink, faucet, or counter top. This does cause me quite a bit of anxiety, but I take things slow and easy. This year, like most others, no dishware was sacrificed, and it was all clean and put away by this morning. There were years that did result in a broken item, much to the dismay of my Wife, and even a bit to me.

It's easy to be dismissive of the feelings that other people have for their prized possessions. Come on, it's only a plate, or a wine glass! It is the feelings that we attach to our possessions that give them sentimental value, if not monetary value.

Of course many family heirlooms are not particularly valuable in a monetary sense. Like most people of modest means, my family never accumulated  things like fine china. crystal stemware, or sterling silver tea sets. But old family photos, mementos, a few pieces of vintage furniture, and such, as well as miscellaneous "what nots" that did survive to be passed on the following generations. I have managed to hold onto a few things that I received from my parents that I want to hold onto and preserve. 

On my own I've got a collection of old magazines and books that I value, and would not like to see destroyed by abuse. Not to mention my collection of vintage items.

Of course there are some bigger things that I do value and that I'm pretty fussy about. Those are my hobby cars! Like most car guys, it doesn't matter what shape our cars are in, we don't like anyone to be casual about abusing them. I told my Wife that the cardinal rule is: Never set anything on the unprotected surface of the car. Not the hood, roof, or top of the trunk! That goes along with: never sit on the cars outside panels.

Another rule is, don't slam the door any harder than necessary to close it. Also, don't play with the push buttons or controls! Just use them to open the window, adjust the seat, or set the radio, no need to play with them! Kids are the worst for this, they love to tilt the power seats as far back as they will go, or roll the power windows up and down, up and down! With an old car you never know when these power assists are going to break down.

Oh how I hate having trash in the car, empty bottles, coffee cups, fast food wrappers, or worst of all, used tissues and napkins! I warn my Wife about being careful not to scratch the paint while walking next to it carrying something. This is even if the car sports faded paint and a couple of noticeable dents or dings, that were there when I bought it! 

If I find a new parking lot ding or scratch, my Wife is sensitive enough to not say, "What's the big deal, it's just a car!" She might just shake her head as she walks away, while I go to find the rubbing compound. 

So I do have a lot of empathy when it comes to her things! 

I was at a home decor/gift store where I saw the following message engraved on a serving platter, "Appreciation of what I have, leads to gratitude." Or something like that. 

At this point of my Life, I have internalized that sentiment.

I hope that everyone enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving Day.

Make a run for the Border! 
photo source: the web

 I haven't forgotten about my truck.

It's hard to discern what this picture illustrates, it's the end panel of the windshield cowl grille. This screens the air intake for the ventilation system. The grille is made of black plastic and the ends have deteriorated from UV light exposure and crumbled into pieces. Modern cars have lots of plastic panels that not only are used as trim, they sometimes make up significant portions of the exterior bodywork. It behooves current owners to keep these parts well protected by applying preservative coatings. Unfortunately, large trucks usually don't have the luxury of living in a garage or being parked in a carport. The remainder of this grille is still in pretty good shape so I plan to step up my maintenance process.

Due to the popularity of these F150 models I had expected to find an aftermarket billet grille to replace the plastic piece. I didn't find any online, and the cost to replace it with a new OEM unit was more expensive than I wanted to pay. I previously used duct tape to fab up an end piece. A year or so later I covered the duct tape with black electrical tape. A much more professional looking repair! This has held up pretty well for at least a year. 

Surprisingly, these replacement plastic end pieces showed up as an internet notification in an E mail from American Trucks. The price was under twenty bucks, so I decided to order them. When they arrived I was surprised that it was a packaged Dorman product. These are often for sale in local auto parts stores.

First off, I had to remove the earlier tape repair, then clean off the area. I would use Meguiar's Cleaner Wax to remove glue residue then scrubbed it down with rubbing alcohol. I would use clear silicon caulking to help attach the replacement pieces to the plastic and metal panels. 

I used these three products.

After I cleaned off the residue I test fit the replacement piece. It wouldn't sit as tight as I would have liked. So it appeared that using the caulk would certainly be a good idea. 

The duct tape stuck quite well.

All cleaned up. 

The end piece is only attached to the edge with some snap in pegs. Even if I used an adhesive I was concerned that it might not hold for very long.

I applied two beads of silicon, and don't be concerned, the caulk will turn to clear as it dries. 

This is what the finished project looks like. I'm pleased with the results. As I mentioned earlier I plan to treat the plastic grille with preservative every couple of months. I thought that the plastic should have held up better, but it has been 16 years of the truck sitting outside exposed to the elements. 

What's that 2x3 board doing lying across the threshold? I had decided to wax the hood and top after finishing the cowl repair. I could reach most of the roof by standing in the bed of the truck, I couldn't reach the area at the front near the windshield. I have used stepladders to reach that portion. I could stand in the open doorway, but it was really difficult to balance there and actually wax the top. My truck doesn't have running boards, so I came up with an idea. I laid the 2x3 across the threshold and I could plant one foot behind me to brace myself as I leaned back. It worked like a charm. 

I still have a few projects to do with the truck. The tail gate cap, the steering wheel cover, and maybe even the driver's seat upholstery. It's also probably time for an ignition tune up. New plugs wires and coils should perk it up a bit. It's been a good truck and I still enjoy driving it. At this point, preservation is the name of the game. 

 Chuck Berry memorably sang;

Ridin' along in my automobile

My Baby beside me at the wheel

I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile

My curiosity runnin' wild

Cruisin' and playin' the radio

With no particular place to go...

No particular place to go...

Just getting in the car and driving, I can't say that it particularly appeals to me anymore. 

I remember the last time that I took my Honda Shadow 1100 out for a spin. I was riding around and I started asking myself, "Why am I doing this?" I wasn't going anywhere, I was just "taking a spin." I found that I just didn't enjoy it anymore, there didn't seem to be any point. I sold the bike shortly after this.

Not that I need a really good reason.  But I kind of need some kind of reason.

The same thing happened with my '66 Riviera, ( the second one that I bought, not the one I daily drove for years). I took it out for a spin down to Morgan Hill and stopped at a McDonalds for a burger. I sat in the car and asked myself, "Why am I doing this? Do I actually enjoy driving this car? It's not fun to drive like a sporty car, is it because I think that it's a cool car? Do I feel special driving it?"

I had trouble coming up with an answer. The car was sold shortly after that.

Those two episodes occurred about fifteen years ago before I started espousing the "drive it like you love it" mantra. The emphasis is on enjoying the car that you currently own. 

This was what I began to experience when I was dropping off my Daughter at her workplace. I'd drive directly there, but would take my time coming home, windows down, listening to my CDs. I found myself enjoying the drive even if it was just for a prosaic reason.

So now I need some kind of reason, even if it's a made up one!

Even something less important, like going somewhere to look for a bookstore or to an antique store with my Wife. 

I just need some kind of reason.

Compounding the problem is that I'm now pretty familiar with most of the less traveled, and back roads of the Bay Area, and even of my portion of Northern California. 

Back when I was a youngster just going out to see the sights was enough. I hadn't been to a lot of places, really most places. So I set out for the Pacific Coast Highway, Lake Tahoe, Mendocino, or Yosemite. At this point I wasn't even going to spend the night, I would just drive back. That was extent of the outing.

But it was still fun for me, because it was all new at the time. Of course that was over fifty years ago.

Oh to be young again, getting out in the car to spend some private time with your girl. As an old married guy I don't need to do that any more.

However, even running errands is okay. 

I still enjoy driving, especially putting down some serious miles. I just returned from a trip to Oregon. The drive up and back was two days up, two days back. Well over 1,300 miles. We stayed for a bit over a week and didn't travel around once we got there, except to pick up things from the store. 

Vacations and weekend getaways are always a good reason. A while back My Wife and I spent a few days in Pismo beach. I usually enjoy the drive down US101 and this time was no exception. The weather was really beautiful this time of year. 

Car shows, swap meets, even antique and craft fairs. I combined both with a British Car show in Clovis combined with an antique faire. I enjoyed driving my '97 Jaguar to that event.

Sometimes as a young adult, especially if you are still living with your folks, you need to get out of the house to have some time to be alone, to think. The car has always been a means of independence and freedom for young people. 

I shouldn't really complain too much, or too loudly. This is kind of a First World problem. I've got the time, the car, and the money for gas. 

I should choose an event, plan the route and just ...go.

This is especially important as next year I will be entering the decade of my '70's. I was discussing this with my one year older brother, who arrived there this year. I told him that I think of the Seventies as the, "Do it Now decade." Don't put things off, and don't waste your time in pointless endeavors that aren't making you happy. Do the things that you want to do, while you still can. There isn't going to be a lot of opportunities for "do overs." 

I think that I had better take my own advice.

 I've been reading Hot Rod magazine for over fifty years.

I would guess that I've been a subscriber for at least 40 of those years. And no, I've never owned an actual Hot  Rod. 

I would admit that renewing my subscription in the last couple of decades has been somewhat sketchy due to inertia.

I go back a long way. I was there for the muscle car era, but I completely missed the late 1950's early 60's hot rod scene. I was born in '54, but the first car that I really noticed was when my Dad bought a new '59 Impala. Besides being too young at the time, the hot rod thing was kind of losing steam as the muscle cars took over. Classic hot rods weren't even a consideration for me as I became a car guy. 

Except for the die hards, most contemporary car guys embraced the newer models as they arrived. Lots of Mustangs Camaros, and other muscle cars. I can't say that I ever saw a pre War hot rod being used on the street while I was growing up. 

Hot Rod magazine is currently focusing a lot more attention on these old cars, featuring all kinds of survivors and current builds. 

I think that these type cars have really limited appeal for most enthusiasts.

For most guys, even muscle cars seem too basic and lacking in the expected comfort, safety, and convenience features.

These types of cars don't fit into Today's lifestyles, they can't, and aren't going to be used as a Daily Driver. They exist primarily as expensive artifacts. 

Almost any modern sedan or SUV has better performance than most of the classic muscle cars of the past. 

If you can swing the payments, a new Camaro, Mustang, or Charger can give you more performance than you'd ever need, right off the dealer's lot.  Besides all the creature comforts combined with pretty fair fuel economy. Why would you feel the need to modify it? Maybe some new wheels or body mods, but why touch the engine? 

My recent post, "Go around me, I'm retired!" also reveals where my head is currently at when it comes to cars. I like a capable car, one that has enough performance to satisfy me. But I also want something with comfort, practicality, the prospects of long term reliability, and even livable fuel economy numbers.

I also don't want to invest too much in building or maintaining a car. I might clarify that as not very much, money or effort, I know that this makes me an old man, and I completely own that. 

I might even say that I've earned that!

Being an old guy also means that certain types of cars aren't appropriate for me any more. Obviously, "Boy Racer" types don't match my demographic. A wildly modified custom, or crudely souped up muscle car, also doesn't fit.

I don't really want to project the image of a guy that has never grown up.

I frequent the AACA forum and many of the members are quite a bit older than me. They often have cars that were popular or aspired to, from the period of their youth. 

So where does all this leave me? 

My interests have changed, I don't want a pre War car, a 60's -'70's muscle car, or even a Fifties cruiser or customized car. I have also opted out of the Euro car thing after my disappointing run with Jaguars. 

I still want to be in the old car hobby, but in a manner that works for me. I don't need or want to wrestle with a real beater or project car.

I bought my '97 Riviera primarily because I want to participate in the Rivera Owner's Association activities. I find that it fulfills my desire for a special car, but it is a thoroughly modern vehicle. The eighth gen Riviera was kind of polarizing when it debuted, because it was a new car that could be used for club activities. Just like a new Mustang can belong to a club with classic models.

I got to thinking about all this because I received an e mail from Hot Rod magazine asking to renew my subscription. I'd done it in the past primarily because the cost of multi year subscriptions has been so minimal. This time I thought, no, it was time to cut the cord. The magazine just doesn't provide me with what I was looking for anymore, if  it ever did. 

In my opinion, the best Petersen mag was Car Craft of the '90's. I think that had the best balance of repair with some performance content of course. It also concentrated on cars from the '60's through early 1980's, which was the period where my interest was focused. 

Currently I receive a bi monthly club magazine from the AACA as well as the Riview from the ROA. These are both better focused on where my present interests are aligned.

I recently picked up this latest copy of Motor Trend while at Barnes and Nobles.

I made a trip to Barnes and Nobles to see if I could find anything of interest. The current copy of Motor Trend magazine featured Cars of the Future! as well as some production cars that will be here in a couple of years. Mostly electric or hybrid. Many of those future cars are super expensive, well over 100K! 

I don't think that EVs will be adopted in a widespread manner, until there are more low priced models on the market. 

I used to subscribe to Motor Trend magazine back in the years of my high school and Junior college experience. Besides old cars, I wanted to be informed about the new technologies and cars that were coming on the market.

Motor Trend is one of the "last men standing" of the old Petersen line up. They are offering a bargain one year subscription price of 15.00. That's only a bit more than a buck a copy, the newsstand price was 7.99 at Barnes and Noble!  That's a pretty attractive offer. and after looking through the latest issue I decided to sign up for a subscription. 

This is the same deal they are offering me on Hot Rod.

Things are rapidly changing in the automotive world. Cars have improved incredibly in my lifetime. The rate of change has accelerated immensely. They are also now incredibly expensive. They are also so incredibly complex, I find it hard to believe that over the very long term that these vehicles will remain reliable and most of all, repairable. Whether or not that will be true is something that will reveal itself to us over time. 

I suppose it only makes sense to keep up with what's new, so I can partake in contemporary discussions in an intelligent manner.

I've been pretty much out of touch with the automotive market place for the last couple of decades. I think that it's time to drop in and see what's up. 

At one time I had several magzine subscriptions active at the same time. I subscribed to Car and Driver, as well as several custom and hot rod titles such as Car Craft and Street Rodder. Not to mention motorcycle oriented magazines. In recent years, during my Jaguar phase, I received Octane as well as Jaguar World. These last two titles were pretty expensive, so once I disengaged from the Jaguar experience, it made sense to cut those off. 

While I enjoy reading physical magazines, I must admit that I'm quite active on a few websites. These have taken the place of traditional magazines. Forums also allow for direct communication with other members on the forum in a much more direct manner than the old "Letters To the Editor" ever did! 

I am aware that FaceBook groups have taken over a lot of the territory once occupied by the websites. I'm not ready to embrace that aspect of social communication.

I have previously written that magazines were important at one time to maintain and increase the car guy's enthusiasm for the hobby. All kinds of automotive enthusiast media is now available to stoke the interest and passion of the car owner. Blogs, forums, Facebook groups, YouTube is filled with free videos, some even worth watching. In some ways this is really the Golden Age of Automotive Media. I'll give Motor Trend a chance for a couple of years.