This didn't come in the mail. ... What the ... ?
October 5, 2014 8:37 PM Subscribe
Normally I'm all "bah stupid 'heartwarming' video that overplays its hand" but this is pretty adorable. It helps that it's such a ridiculous car to be enthused about (though it is pretty gorgeous!) and she's so happy about it.
Speaking of which: there's a Dudley Moore comedy called Crazy People about an ad man who decides he's tired of lying in the ad campaigns he makes, and starts coming up with ads that only tell the truth ("Metamucil. It helps you go to the toilet. If you don't use it, you'll get cancer and die.") He gets thrown into a mental institution because the agency he works for thinks he's exhausted, but while in there Dudley Moore convinces the other patients to keep making ad campaigns with him. They're so successful that they start their own agency.
Dudley Moore decides to get them all gifts to show his appreciation, and there's one guy who's obsessed with Saabs. Can't stop talking about them, knows every little detail about every model. His one wish is to own a 99 GLE, and when everyone else starts getting gifts he gets all sad because he doesn't see anything for him and he knows there's only one thing that would make him happy and there's no way Dudley Moore's character has possibly found it. That's when a transporter truck drives up behind him with a brown Saab 99 on it. He's suddenly the happiest guy on earth.
It's a really sweet scene and I can't help but think of it when I think of Saabs now. So the fact that this guy's mom ALSO loves Saab 99s from the seventies is too much for me.
posted by chrominance at 9:24 PM on October 5, 2014 [9 favorites]
Speaking of which: there's a Dudley Moore comedy called Crazy People about an ad man who decides he's tired of lying in the ad campaigns he makes, and starts coming up with ads that only tell the truth ("Metamucil. It helps you go to the toilet. If you don't use it, you'll get cancer and die.") He gets thrown into a mental institution because the agency he works for thinks he's exhausted, but while in there Dudley Moore convinces the other patients to keep making ad campaigns with him. They're so successful that they start their own agency.
Dudley Moore decides to get them all gifts to show his appreciation, and there's one guy who's obsessed with Saabs. Can't stop talking about them, knows every little detail about every model. His one wish is to own a 99 GLE, and when everyone else starts getting gifts he gets all sad because he doesn't see anything for him and he knows there's only one thing that would make him happy and there's no way Dudley Moore's character has possibly found it. That's when a transporter truck drives up behind him with a brown Saab 99 on it. He's suddenly the happiest guy on earth.
It's a really sweet scene and I can't help but think of it when I think of Saabs now. So the fact that this guy's mom ALSO loves Saab 99s from the seventies is too much for me.
posted by chrominance at 9:24 PM on October 5, 2014 [9 favorites]
Oh, I've always had a yen for that generation and model of Saab -- so strange and upright, and it whooshes like an airplane. But I've also known it would be bad for me, and the chance of it ever being anything but a novelty item fade as that generation disappears into the past. So I see what she sees.
posted by argybarg at 9:26 PM on October 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by argybarg at 9:26 PM on October 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
Very nice. And what a son! Doesn't matter if the car is ugly to others, as long as she loves it!
posted by greenhornet at 9:27 PM on October 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by greenhornet at 9:27 PM on October 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
Better than bees.
posted by methinks at 9:38 PM on October 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by methinks at 9:38 PM on October 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
There's a killjoy carbuying person in me that really wants to make sure mom can drive the car off, and it's not just for show. Take it to her mechanic, see what he says, you know.
The other part says: What a good kid... Apart from the fact that my mother hates cars (except for the BMW Z series, oddly) this is exactly the sort of thing what I would hope to be able to do for my mom. In my case, instead of a car, it would be a grey water recycling system installed in her house without her knowing.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 9:54 PM on October 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
The other part says: What a good kid... Apart from the fact that my mother hates cars (except for the BMW Z series, oddly) this is exactly the sort of thing what I would hope to be able to do for my mom. In my case, instead of a car, it would be a grey water recycling system installed in her house without her knowing.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 9:54 PM on October 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
As a mom, that has to feel pretty awesome. As a son, that also has to feel awesome. As a son who also has a mother, that made me feel kind of awesome.
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:55 PM on October 5, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:55 PM on October 5, 2014 [4 favorites]
Everyone should call their parents and tell them that they love them.
What if they don't?
posted by pompomtom at 10:04 PM on October 5, 2014 [8 favorites]
What if they don't?
posted by pompomtom at 10:04 PM on October 5, 2014 [8 favorites]
Cold Lurkey, in his thank yous, he mentions a guy called Karl from the Scandinavian Auto Centre, and notes that it's a Saab specialty mechanic, which implies to me that he's already had the car checked out, etc.
I thought this was really sweet, even more because it's such a random car to be in love with.
posted by MeghanC at 10:04 PM on October 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
I thought this was really sweet, even more because it's such a random car to be in love with.
posted by MeghanC at 10:04 PM on October 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
Aww, what a sweet Saab story.
posted by crumbly at 10:06 PM on October 5, 2014 [16 favorites]
posted by crumbly at 10:06 PM on October 5, 2014 [16 favorites]
MeghanC: I saw that, I just want to see it.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 10:12 PM on October 5, 2014
posted by Cold Lurkey at 10:12 PM on October 5, 2014
That Saab is completely glorious - oddball, funky, hippy-ish in a sweet way. Suits the mom to a T. Also, I think her reaction was 30% car, 70% bowled over that her son did something so thoughtful.
posted by helmutdog at 10:19 PM on October 5, 2014 [7 favorites]
posted by helmutdog at 10:19 PM on October 5, 2014 [7 favorites]
What a Swede gift!
posted by dhartung at 10:24 PM on October 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by dhartung at 10:24 PM on October 5, 2014 [3 favorites]
pompomtom: "Everyone should call their parents and tell them that they love them.
What if they don't?"
I knew someone was gonna get me on a technicality once I posted that. Scratch "Everyone" and insert "Most people" and substitute "love" for the emotion that is most applicable. Some parents are dicks and do more harm to their children than good. I phrased my comment poorly, but that's kinda what I do. Apologies to all.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 11:18 PM on October 5, 2014 [4 favorites]
What if they don't?"
I knew someone was gonna get me on a technicality once I posted that. Scratch "Everyone" and insert "Most people" and substitute "love" for the emotion that is most applicable. Some parents are dicks and do more harm to their children than good. I phrased my comment poorly, but that's kinda what I do. Apologies to all.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 11:18 PM on October 5, 2014 [4 favorites]
Oh that's lovely. That woman has great taste in cars and a great son.
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:27 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:27 AM on October 6, 2014
I can't believe crumbly was the first to make the pun.
posted by scunning at 5:01 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by scunning at 5:01 AM on October 6, 2014
That poor woman. That was her dream car? Whatever floats your boat, I guess. I honestly don't mean to criticize.
There's a follow up from the son at the linked site -- explaining why that was her dream car. It's not, perhaps, so much "dream car" as "memory car" of a time in her life when she was a house cleaner and regularly cleaned that car for one of her clients, and sometimes got to drive it. Maybe it's better dubbed "poignant reminder of a time in my life when I had very little but discovered what comforts money could buy and hoped one day to be able to enjoy the finer things in life and look where I've come? Look at this rich life I've led since then! Richer in so many ways -- material and immaterial, car or no car, but oh! How I miss that young girl who dreamed!"
Or some such complex emotion as that.
posted by vitabellosi at 5:24 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
There's a follow up from the son at the linked site -- explaining why that was her dream car. It's not, perhaps, so much "dream car" as "memory car" of a time in her life when she was a house cleaner and regularly cleaned that car for one of her clients, and sometimes got to drive it. Maybe it's better dubbed "poignant reminder of a time in my life when I had very little but discovered what comforts money could buy and hoped one day to be able to enjoy the finer things in life and look where I've come? Look at this rich life I've led since then! Richer in so many ways -- material and immaterial, car or no car, but oh! How I miss that young girl who dreamed!"
Or some such complex emotion as that.
posted by vitabellosi at 5:24 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
Uh, yeah. Why call her 'poor' just for having a different taste than you do, when she is obviously very happy with her gift? I don't understand how you can even say that.
The car has character and a certain style. Some people appreciate that over monetary value or comfort. And then there's the emotional value that comes from people's personal history and memories. That seems to be a big thing in this case.
She seems very cool and I'd like to have tea or a beer with her some day. She clearly appreciates the finer things in life.
posted by Too-Ticky at 5:35 AM on October 6, 2014 [6 favorites]
The car has character and a certain style. Some people appreciate that over monetary value or comfort. And then there's the emotional value that comes from people's personal history and memories. That seems to be a big thing in this case.
She seems very cool and I'd like to have tea or a beer with her some day. She clearly appreciates the finer things in life.
posted by Too-Ticky at 5:35 AM on October 6, 2014 [6 favorites]
That poor woman. That was her dream car?
Saab people - they really know what they like. They're of a breed with Volvo P1800 and Citroen DS lovers. Oddball, middle-brow vehicles that are a hoot to drive and stand way the hell out in any crowd, while being sensible to own and operate and do long roadtrip weekend stuff with. My own tastes run to unreasonably large '60s convertibles and air-cooled VDubs, but I do grok Saab love.
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:47 AM on October 6, 2014 [7 favorites]
Saab people - they really know what they like. They're of a breed with Volvo P1800 and Citroen DS lovers. Oddball, middle-brow vehicles that are a hoot to drive and stand way the hell out in any crowd, while being sensible to own and operate and do long roadtrip weekend stuff with. My own tastes run to unreasonably large '60s convertibles and air-cooled VDubs, but I do grok Saab love.
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:47 AM on October 6, 2014 [7 favorites]
Okay, I was super ready to hate this because I hate cars and I hate consumerism and I hate tying dogooding to purchasing power and I hate the need to film everything. But the video got me good! Maybe because the car was a very specific, imaginative totem for this woman rather than just A Car that required Money. The look on her face was just so joyous and tickled that someone would fulfill her kind of ridiculous yen.
(Personally, I think she has good taste-- I actively dislike cars and generally have no interest in their aesthetics but there's something really appealing about her dream model.)
posted by threeants at 5:54 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
(Personally, I think she has good taste-- I actively dislike cars and generally have no interest in their aesthetics but there's something really appealing about her dream model.)
posted by threeants at 5:54 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
Before I even linked over to YouTube and the extended description, I just got this sense of an untold backstory--a mom, maybe a single mom, who made a lot of sacrifices to get her son raised and launched successfully into the world and who has never had the fortune or resources to see many of her material dreams in life come true. If it had been a more stereotypical "dream car" parked in the driveway of a cookie-cutter 3000 sq ft suburban house, it wouldn't have had nearly the same meaning to me.
posted by drlith at 5:59 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by drlith at 5:59 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
What is a dream? Dreams have a different meaning for each person ... One of my dream cars is a spiffed up 1980s Toyota Hilux; I'm waiting though until the kid is old enough to go in the front seat. I'd also get a Ford Cortina Mk III, if it was practical.
posted by carter at 6:09 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by carter at 6:09 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Am I really the only one who expected a Wienermobile or something? They were so carefully not-showing the vehicle I had such high hopes.
posted by SharkParty at 6:21 AM on October 6, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by SharkParty at 6:21 AM on October 6, 2014 [4 favorites]
I had a 71 Saab 99. It was a treat to drive, and I got a great deal on it, used. One lovely fall afternoon, not long after I bought it, it still had the temporary plate on, I was standing in a friend's apartment. Through the window, I saw someone park a Ford Torino, I think it was, leave it running while she got out, leaving the the door open, and walked away. The driverless Ford hummed for a few seconds, then backed down the alley, bounced off the curb, and smashed into my Saab. The Ford was crunched up pretty badly. The Saab had a broken taillight, dented wheel rim from being pushed into the curb, and needed some effort to remove some of the Ford's paint.
Sold it 3 years later for 50 bucks less than I bought it for, and went to England and thereabouts. I miss how much fun that car was to drive. Later, Ford got sued because some models, including that one, could easily slip into reverse while running. I hope that Torino owner saw it and knew that it really wasn't her fault.
And of course I'm sending that video to my son.
posted by theora55 at 6:38 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Sold it 3 years later for 50 bucks less than I bought it for, and went to England and thereabouts. I miss how much fun that car was to drive. Later, Ford got sued because some models, including that one, could easily slip into reverse while running. I hope that Torino owner saw it and knew that it really wasn't her fault.
And of course I'm sending that video to my son.
posted by theora55 at 6:38 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Saab people - they really know what they like.
Yes. Yes we do. And this is what we like. We liked when Saabs were Saabs and they looked like something and they went like crazy and the electrical systems were incredible shit, but that was part of the fun, and you could hold back on the shift for an extra second and force the turbo to kick in and take off like a bottle rocket on an amphetamine jag. And then GM bought the company and we all had to grow the hell up and get a haircut and a job. I grow old. I grow old. I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.
posted by The Bellman at 7:46 AM on October 6, 2014 [5 favorites]
Yes. Yes we do. And this is what we like. We liked when Saabs were Saabs and they looked like something and they went like crazy and the electrical systems were incredible shit, but that was part of the fun, and you could hold back on the shift for an extra second and force the turbo to kick in and take off like a bottle rocket on an amphetamine jag. And then GM bought the company and we all had to grow the hell up and get a haircut and a job. I grow old. I grow old. I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.
posted by The Bellman at 7:46 AM on October 6, 2014 [5 favorites]
She really really wanted that car! Oh boy.
I don't think I've ever felt that way before - the direct, unalloyed joy of having a dream come true
posted by Omnomnom at 7:51 AM on October 6, 2014
I don't think I've ever felt that way before - the direct, unalloyed joy of having a dream come true
posted by Omnomnom at 7:51 AM on October 6, 2014
I just love his mom's potty mouth. The "what the fuck" is terrific. Maybe it is a generational thing, but my mom would never say wtf out loud much less on camera. She was ok with us cursing, but she tried to stay prim and proper herself. Btw, her dream car would probably be a four door Buick of circa 1975 vintage. The look on her face when she drove my convertible or my F-250 is forever ingrained in my memories. I think I will take his advice and call her.
posted by 724A at 8:17 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by 724A at 8:17 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
What's glorious about this is that this isn't an investment banker buying his country club mom a new Mercedes E class when he is made partner. That looks very much like public housing and I'm guessing that car, with mechanical work, set him back a few thousand at most.
In case either of my boys are trolling through my internet history in 25 years, I'd like a BMW 2002, 1970-1976 would be fine.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:34 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
In case either of my boys are trolling through my internet history in 25 years, I'd like a BMW 2002, 1970-1976 would be fine.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:34 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
As the owner of a '99 93 that I tenaciously hang onto because I like it, I get the worst of both worlds: "That's just GM crap!" from the True Saab lovers and "Ha-ha - your car company went bankrupt!" from the rest. So I liked this, too.
posted by lagomorphius at 8:49 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by lagomorphius at 8:49 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Saab 99s are awesome. Saab may have had GM for a parent but they NEVER listened to them. Also, Kurt Vonnegut owned a Saab dealership.
posted by basicchannel at 9:08 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by basicchannel at 9:08 AM on October 6, 2014
That poor woman. That was her dream car? Whatever floats your boat, I guess. I honestly don't mean to criticize.
Not everyone's dreams are aspirational. It's OK to have dreams born from nostalgia. Personally, if I could have any car, my 1985 Pontiac Fiero would be a leading contender. (It would have to have the luggage rack, though; the spoilers were gross.)
posted by DarlingBri at 9:11 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Not everyone's dreams are aspirational. It's OK to have dreams born from nostalgia. Personally, if I could have any car, my 1985 Pontiac Fiero would be a leading contender. (It would have to have the luggage rack, though; the spoilers were gross.)
posted by DarlingBri at 9:11 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
I got a Saab guy on my team at work. Otherwise extremely clear-headed, rational and practical. But he'll drop what he's doing and drive half way across the country to look at some rusted out hulk of a Saab if there's some Saab-fetish value to it.
I don't judge.
posted by kjs3 at 9:17 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
I don't judge.
posted by kjs3 at 9:17 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Well, I honestly meant to criticize.
posted by Too-Ticky at 9:45 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 9:45 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
Yeah man my first car was an '82 subaru with failing everything and I had a lot of great times in that car. It was named Barney and I'd take it back in a second.
I mean... I might not make it my only ride and this time around I'd consider fixing the brakes but...
posted by SharkParty at 10:13 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
I mean... I might not make it my only ride and this time around I'd consider fixing the brakes but...
posted by SharkParty at 10:13 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
vitabellosi: "That poor woman. That was her dream car? Whatever floats your boat, I guess. I honestly don't mean to criticize.
There's a follow up from the son at the linked site -- explaining why that was her dream car. It's not, perhaps, so much "dream car" as "memory car" of a time in her life when she was a house cleaner and regularly cleaned that car for one of her clients, and sometimes got to drive it. Maybe it's better dubbed "poignant reminder of a time in my life when I had very little but discovered what comforts money could buy and hoped one day to be able to enjoy the finer things in life and look where I've come? Look at this rich life I've led since then! Richer in so many ways -- material and immaterial, car or no car, but oh! How I miss that young girl who dreamed!"
Or some such complex emotion as that."
You stated that beautifully. I only commented the way I did because I've, personally, thought any and every Saab was one of the most disgusting things to ever ride on four wheels. Now we're getting into fashion and personal preference, so there doesn't seem to be any point to extending this particular area of discussion.
I'll take a '39 Willys coupe or a '40 Ford coupe over that abomination any day. But it takes all kinds so I don't claim to be the ultimate judge. (Makes me think of the awesome GTO "Judge")
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:26 PM on October 6, 2014
There's a follow up from the son at the linked site -- explaining why that was her dream car. It's not, perhaps, so much "dream car" as "memory car" of a time in her life when she was a house cleaner and regularly cleaned that car for one of her clients, and sometimes got to drive it. Maybe it's better dubbed "poignant reminder of a time in my life when I had very little but discovered what comforts money could buy and hoped one day to be able to enjoy the finer things in life and look where I've come? Look at this rich life I've led since then! Richer in so many ways -- material and immaterial, car or no car, but oh! How I miss that young girl who dreamed!"
Or some such complex emotion as that."
You stated that beautifully. I only commented the way I did because I've, personally, thought any and every Saab was one of the most disgusting things to ever ride on four wheels. Now we're getting into fashion and personal preference, so there doesn't seem to be any point to extending this particular area of discussion.
I'll take a '39 Willys coupe or a '40 Ford coupe over that abomination any day. But it takes all kinds so I don't claim to be the ultimate judge. (Makes me think of the awesome GTO "Judge")
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:26 PM on October 6, 2014
DarlingBri: "Not everyone's dreams are aspirational. It's OK to have dreams born from nostalgia. Personally, if I could have any car, my 1985 Pontiac Fiero would be a leading contender. (It would have to have the luggage rack, though; the spoilers were gross.)"
*fist bump* Those Fieros were really quite wonderful. Plus you can buy a conversion kit to install a small block Chevy in it. Can you say 200+ mph? You'll get there in no time. Dog help you if a tire blows, though.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:42 PM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
*fist bump* Those Fieros were really quite wonderful. Plus you can buy a conversion kit to install a small block Chevy in it. Can you say 200+ mph? You'll get there in no time. Dog help you if a tire blows, though.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:42 PM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
23skidoo: "I honestly don't mean to criticize, but if you don't think it's awesome that some people get excited about cool-looking old cars, then there's something horribly wrong with you."
Nothing wrong with me. I loves me them old cars. It's the "cool-looking" part we're quibbling over. And maybe I'm just old, but I wouldn't call that Saab "old." I remember when those butt ugly pieces of ____ were a routine appearance. Still, I'm happy the lady got her dream car even if I don't share her opinion of the aesthetics of automobiles. You gotta love somebody getting their dream fulfilled. Life is short and very difficult. Every little positive aspect helps out a lot.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:52 PM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Nothing wrong with me. I loves me them old cars. It's the "cool-looking" part we're quibbling over. And maybe I'm just old, but I wouldn't call that Saab "old." I remember when those butt ugly pieces of ____ were a routine appearance. Still, I'm happy the lady got her dream car even if I don't share her opinion of the aesthetics of automobiles. You gotta love somebody getting their dream fulfilled. Life is short and very difficult. Every little positive aspect helps out a lot.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:52 PM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Sure, it's not "cool-looking" to you. But it is clearly pretty awesome to *her.* I don't think you're supposed to identify with her love for that car, just be able to identify with her love and enjoyment.
posted by HMSSM at 10:49 PM on October 6, 2014
posted by HMSSM at 10:49 PM on October 6, 2014
And maybe I'm just old, but I wouldn't call that Saab "old."
We're getting old.
In 1984, the '57 Chevy Bel Aire was the epitome of the Classic Car, the single most desirable vehicle from a bygone age. Well, people who remembered Cords and Deusenbergs and Bugattis were fairly dismissive of this opinion. Old people.
It's 2014. The equivalent to our '57 Chevy Bel Aire would be a car from the 1987 model year - a Buick Grand National or Mustang GT. In that company, a '70s Saab 99 certainly stands out favorably.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:59 AM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
We're getting old.
In 1984, the '57 Chevy Bel Aire was the epitome of the Classic Car, the single most desirable vehicle from a bygone age. Well, people who remembered Cords and Deusenbergs and Bugattis were fairly dismissive of this opinion. Old people.
It's 2014. The equivalent to our '57 Chevy Bel Aire would be a car from the 1987 model year - a Buick Grand National or Mustang GT. In that company, a '70s Saab 99 certainly stands out favorably.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:59 AM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Slap*Happy: " And maybe I'm just old, but I wouldn't call that Saab "old."
We're getting old.
In 1984, the '57 Chevy Bel Aire was the epitome of the Classic Car, the single most desirable vehicle from a bygone age. Well, people who remembered Cords and Deusenbergs and Bugattis were fairly dismissive of this opinion. Old people.
It's 2014. The equivalent to our '57 Chevy Bel Aire would be a car from the 1987 model year - a Buick Grand National or Mustang GT. In that company, a '70s Saab 99 certainly stands out favorably."
You're bringing me down, man! WAY down. But, ultimately, I would agree that you are correct. And let me just pause for a moment to honor the miracles that were the Cords, Deusies, and Bugs. Such gorgeous machines!! And I don't want to be a pedant, but there ain't no "e" at the end of "Bel Air."
And just cause you mentioned it, my buddy's dad has an '87 Grand National with something like a grand total of 8k miles. The interior still has the patented "new car smell." He takes first prize at every car show he takes the car to. It's no '57 Bel Air, but it's undeniably a really sweet car.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 7:06 AM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
We're getting old.
In 1984, the '57 Chevy Bel Aire was the epitome of the Classic Car, the single most desirable vehicle from a bygone age. Well, people who remembered Cords and Deusenbergs and Bugattis were fairly dismissive of this opinion. Old people.
It's 2014. The equivalent to our '57 Chevy Bel Aire would be a car from the 1987 model year - a Buick Grand National or Mustang GT. In that company, a '70s Saab 99 certainly stands out favorably."
You're bringing me down, man! WAY down. But, ultimately, I would agree that you are correct. And let me just pause for a moment to honor the miracles that were the Cords, Deusies, and Bugs. Such gorgeous machines!! And I don't want to be a pedant, but there ain't no "e" at the end of "Bel Air."
And just cause you mentioned it, my buddy's dad has an '87 Grand National with something like a grand total of 8k miles. The interior still has the patented "new car smell." He takes first prize at every car show he takes the car to. It's no '57 Bel Air, but it's undeniably a really sweet car.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 7:06 AM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
« Older You may now make your first move | “I love advertising because I love lying” Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I really do like the son's message at the end. Everyone should call their parents and tell them that they love them.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:14 PM on October 5, 2014