Photograph by David S. Wallens
I could have driven up in something with a/c and maybe even Bluetooth and CarPlay. Instead, I figured, taking our Porsche 911 would turn a drive into an outing.
This Saturday’s destination: I was up in St. Augustine for a photo event–a walk hosted by a local film club. I enjoy the vibe, the company and the creativity.
So, I figured, why not also get some time behind those iconic VDO gauges while listening to the hum of the air-cooled engine? A good way to spend a Saturday morning, right?
[What did you do with your classic this weekend?]
Potential downsides? Well, I’d have to park in a gravel lot. A bug could hit the paint–or maybe even worse. I could have taken back roads, or even US-1, but I decided to hop on the interstate.
On the way up–it’s just an hourlong drive–I passed some other cool cars: a Tonic Yellow Civic Si coupe like our old project, a green VW Bus and a light-blue Triumph TR4 with a rally number panel on the side.
I didn’t get to stop and ask–after all, we were cruising in opposite directions on I-95–but I’d guess that the Triumph was heading to that day’s British car day in Sanford, Florida. It’s a fun show. I have been to it several times in the past as an entrant, a judge and just as a spectator.
I gave a little nod to the TR4 as it’s always good to see another classic car out there. Too often, unfortunately, they’re sequestered away in the garage, even on sunny Saturdays.
Not only does driving these cars keep them happy and healthy, but I think it inspires others. Yes, you can own and drive a car like this–maybe when you’re older, maybe as soon as next week.
And on the way back from St. Augustine later in the day? I passed that same TR4 heading northbound–and, this time, convoying with another TR.
A different twist but the last three years a dude idles by my house in a blue AC Cobra clone, side pipes, loud, white stripe then later in the day I see him again - all summer long.
On Saturday the wife and I are facing out in my truck leaving and here he comes. He waves to us and wifey recognized him as the guy a few streets over that gets our mail. Wife says to follow him.
The Cobra guy I constantly see is the guy I kinda know?
I almost always pass the same guy going to drop off and pick up my kid from my father-in-law's. I know it's the same guy because I'm pretty sure he's one of the only people to drive a purple GR86.
Saturday I was out for a little backroads Rip. I saw a red Countach...very cool. Later in my drive I saw it again, also coming at me. I've never seen it before. I hope I'll see it again.
Before I retired, I often saw a woman driving an Audi R8. She'd be driving north when I was driving south in the morning, and she'd be driving south when I was driving north in the afternoon. I was impressed she was using the car for her daily commute.
Living in frozen Vermont all winter I saw roughly zero cool cars. As soon as I got back to the warm Carolinas I started seeing people's cars coming out of hibernation.
A while back, my wife and I were out for a drive to no where. We passed the same red Bug twice.
When I was working nights, I would always pass a tall, lanky older guy, wearing all the gear, riding an older BMW boxer twin, rain or shine. He was coming home when I was on my way in, and he'd be headed for work when I was on my way home.
One morning, I was headed home with about three inches of wet snow on the ground I laughed to myself thinking that I wouldn't see the BMW guy that day...and that's when I saw a 2WD Ural with a sidecar heading in my direction
My own contribution is the ancient, tiny, bright red Fiat 500 that street parks near me in Brooklyn, NY. I see it at least once weekly, always parked on the streets (who can afford a garage, anyways??) and better yet, daily driven. It's driver always leaves early in the morning, and I can hear its distinctive buzzy idle and thrumming exhaust note, even though I can't see it over all the other cars, as I walk to the subway. It looks for all the world like one of those little tike Cozy Coupes for toddlers in scale compared to the average sedans and crossovers of today's car landscape. It never fails to bring a smile to my face. The leather roof set off by the bright red pain and gold Abarth logo is just *chefs kiss*
In reply to nickydh :
I can't think of a car better suited to a dense city like New York than a Fiat 500.
This happened to me one time, after a week long trip. But, I was not happy to see them haha. The reason I knew it was the same car was because I was stuck behind them multiple times on the way there and they refused to let me pass. On the way back, the cycle repeated.
Displaying 1-10 of 12 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
