I have to admit, I’m a hopeless car guy. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by the intricacy of a well-engineered piece of machinery. Many people see car ownership, and driving, as just a method of transportation. To me, an automobile is a work of art (well, SOME of them), and the act of driving, being in tune with the machinery and the environment, is a calming, almost Zen-like experience. Hence, my motto has always been “Life is too short to drive a boring car”. Except during my starving college and military days, I’ve tried to choose my vehicles to be unique, interesting, and unusual.
Our current garage:
- 1936 Ford Sedan Flathead V8
- 1953 Chevy Belair 4 door 6 cylinder
- 1955 Chevy Belair 4 door V8
- 1968 Ford Fairlaine V8
- 1957 Ford Sedan V8
- 1965 Corvair 110 Sport convertible 4-speed
- 1966 Corvair Spyder convertible automatic
- 1965 Pontiac GTO 4-speed V8
- 1953 MGTD
- 1966 Jaguar XKE series one Coupe
- 1967 Lotus Elan convertible
- Fiat 850 Spyder convertible
- Morris Minor Woody Wagon
- 1958 Porsche 356A coupe
- 1965 Porsche 356SC coupe
- 1957 Porsche Speedster Roadster with 356SC engine
- 1967 Alfa Romeo GTV coupe
- 1969 Volkswagen Beetle
- 1968 Volkswagen Van
- 1967 Mercedes 300SE 3.0 coupe
- 1968 Mercedes 220 SE coupe
- 1975 Mercedes 250C coupe
- 1974 Porsche 914 roadster
- 1979 Porsche 944 coupe
- 1973 BMW 3.0CS coupe
- 1979 BMW 630 coupe
- 1982 BMW 633 Coupe
- 1971 Chevy Pickup
- 1975 Alfa Romeo Spyder convertible
- 1971 Volvo P1800ES sport wagon
- 1987 Pontiac Fiero GT
- 1979 Volkswagen convertible
- 1979 BMW 735 sedan
- 1979 Chevy pickup
- 1986 BMW 325ic convertible
- 1992 Lexus SC300 coupe (w Supra Twin Turbo 450 HP engine)
- 1992 BMW 525iT sport touring
- 2001 BMW 540iT touring
- 2002 Honda S2000 roadster (supercharged 350 HP)
- 1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4
- 1959 Jaguar MK IX Saloon
- 1989 Porsche Carrera roadster
- 1966 Jaguar 3.8S Saloon
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1964 Mercedes 230SL Roadster
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1970 Mercedes 280 SL Roadster
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1972 BMW 3.0 CS Coupe
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2001 Porsche Boxster “S”
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2004 BMW Z4 Roadster
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2002 Mercedes SLK AMG55
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2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas
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2002 MiniCooper “S”
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1959 MGA
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1939 Ford Deluxe Coupe
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1951 Hudson Hornet Coupe
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2002 Lexus SC430 Hardtop Cabriolet
I’d much rather share the adventure of a less-reliable automobile which has character and soul, than be smothered in the cocoon of a modern “box”.
Now that time, space, and resources permit, I’ve been able realize some lifelong dreams of owning, working on, and enjoying a group of classic cars. Why more cars than any two people could possibly use for transportation? Well, first, I’m intrigued by the mechanical ingenuities, and variations of these classic cars. It is amazing that such engineering marvels could have been produced more than a half century ago.
Additionally, I enjoy the challenge of “fixing” something broken, and with a vintage car, there is always something that needs attention. I find extreme value in doing something “physical” in this day and age of “intellectual careers” where people are paid ridiculous sums to perform the work of clerks and condescend the plumbers, mechanics, and other technicians who possess actual real-world skills. After a long personal career of “administering”, I take great pleasure in accomplishing a physical task, the results of which I can hold in my hands and measure.
Best of all, classic cars do NOT depreciate in value, like a new car does. Instead, they constantly increase in value, as each model becomes more rare, and more desirable. And, finally, a vintage car CAN be driven, repaired, and maintained by anyone with a handful of tools and the inclination to be in touch with the physical world!
In the weeks to come, it will be my intention to write up driving impressions of many of the cars I’ve been privileged to enjoy. Check back here frequently for more!
Oh, and should you be interested in more pictures of our current stable of cars, you can visit our website at:
www.auldridge.org/garage