As I read these forums I find it fascinating to read the various posts about our vehicles. I watch as they are acquired, refurbished, restored, shown, and traded or sold. It got me to thinking, exactly what motivates us to collect these vehicles.
For me, it all got started over 50 years ago when I started working for an ambulance/livery provider. We had 1963 Pontiac Consorts at first, the graduated to Cadillac Superior combinations. Through the years while working for various other firms, and even owning my own service, I’ve worked on a lot of different cars. They ranged from combinations, to low-top “straight” ambulances, to high-tops, and at the end a van conversion. They were, for the most part, workhorses that looked like show horses. They did the job well, and looked good doing it.
Over the years I kind of forgot about them. I got “reacquainted” with them again several years ago when I ran across the Northland Chapter’s photo gallery. Wow, did the memories ever come flooding back!!! I got very curious and started searching for cars that I may have crossed paths with over the years. I found a couple, but they were not available, or just plain not worth fooling with.
I ran into the ’64 a few years ago at the Cruise-In By The Bay in Sandusky. Mike Yost (a former employee of mine) and his son, Dan, had it there. We spent a lot of time just shootin’ the breeze that night.
Shortly after that, I found the web-site and the PCS and really got interested again.
When the car became available in the fall of 2012, we weren’t in a position to acquire it, but were able to assist Ron Devies in getting it. Mike and Dan wanted to be sure it was going to a good home, we assured them it was. The understanding was if Ron ever wanted/needed to get rid of it, we got first dibs. The rest, as they say, is history. In June 2013 we acquired it and really enjoy having it. The grandkids think it’s the greatest thing ever!!!!
When we acquired the car we did so with the understanding and knowledge that we have a strong obligation to “protect” the car as best we can. By that I mean displaying it to PCS Standards, using it for educational purposes, and giving it the respect and dignity it deserves. We also feel it deserves the best care and period correct restorative efforts possible. When the time comes to move it along, we will be sure it goes to a good home. No “revolving door” buyers, sellers, and traders, no “rat-rodders”, no “Halloween types”. A good, respectful home where it will continue to be treated properly.
All of that being said, we’ve got a very full schedule of events for the next couple months. So much so, that we have a crew of three different drivers to handle them all. And, we’ve still got some other things brewing to keep it even busier.
Please, share your thought on pro-car ownership, I’m very curious if we’re alone in feeling the way we do.
For me, it all got started over 50 years ago when I started working for an ambulance/livery provider. We had 1963 Pontiac Consorts at first, the graduated to Cadillac Superior combinations. Through the years while working for various other firms, and even owning my own service, I’ve worked on a lot of different cars. They ranged from combinations, to low-top “straight” ambulances, to high-tops, and at the end a van conversion. They were, for the most part, workhorses that looked like show horses. They did the job well, and looked good doing it.
Over the years I kind of forgot about them. I got “reacquainted” with them again several years ago when I ran across the Northland Chapter’s photo gallery. Wow, did the memories ever come flooding back!!! I got very curious and started searching for cars that I may have crossed paths with over the years. I found a couple, but they were not available, or just plain not worth fooling with.
I ran into the ’64 a few years ago at the Cruise-In By The Bay in Sandusky. Mike Yost (a former employee of mine) and his son, Dan, had it there. We spent a lot of time just shootin’ the breeze that night.
Shortly after that, I found the web-site and the PCS and really got interested again.
When the car became available in the fall of 2012, we weren’t in a position to acquire it, but were able to assist Ron Devies in getting it. Mike and Dan wanted to be sure it was going to a good home, we assured them it was. The understanding was if Ron ever wanted/needed to get rid of it, we got first dibs. The rest, as they say, is history. In June 2013 we acquired it and really enjoy having it. The grandkids think it’s the greatest thing ever!!!!
When we acquired the car we did so with the understanding and knowledge that we have a strong obligation to “protect” the car as best we can. By that I mean displaying it to PCS Standards, using it for educational purposes, and giving it the respect and dignity it deserves. We also feel it deserves the best care and period correct restorative efforts possible. When the time comes to move it along, we will be sure it goes to a good home. No “revolving door” buyers, sellers, and traders, no “rat-rodders”, no “Halloween types”. A good, respectful home where it will continue to be treated properly.
All of that being said, we’ve got a very full schedule of events for the next couple months. So much so, that we have a crew of three different drivers to handle them all. And, we’ve still got some other things brewing to keep it even busier.
Please, share your thought on pro-car ownership, I’m very curious if we’re alone in feeling the way we do.
