Writer at Work and Play
Writer at Work and Play
Retro Cars Ride Again!
I know which cars I love the look of—and that’s the
full sum of my car knowledge. I also know I fall in love
with my cars and hold onto them.
But after my station wagon was rear-ended, I had to buy
another car.
I test-drove a number of sensible cars and, on a lark, I called the Mini Cooper dealer. I’m in the mood for no more mom-mobiles. The least expensive was a 2008 with a manual transmission, above, that was beyond my range. It’s the color and and style I would have chosen, right down to the stripes. I loved the look. And I remembered why.
In college, I’d saved $1,500 for a used white Karman Ghia (with no ac; how did I survive Austin summers?), and thought I was the luckiest person in the world.
I loved the big round lights, the rounded boxy hood and the subtle, retro sporty styling. It was my first manual transmission. If I had a garage for vintage cars
(dream on), I’d include a 1957 Porsche 1600,
orange and red, and a 1972 Porsche, black.
Soon after, the Mini’s price was significantly
reduced. After one test drive, it was mine. I
wouldn’t remove my fingers from the steering
wheel, so they fork-lifted me and the car inside the dealership
to do the paperwork.
Yes, the handling is great but, above all, the styling makes me smile every time. This might not be college, but the feeling is close. Driving is fun and retro again.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
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