So, while my artistic background may not directly be the cause of "why," it sure was an influence, and ironic that I'm where I am now, editing a magazine that features my initial subject matter. Honestly, I think my addiction was fueled by the desire to be different. Back in high school, what I drove was a direct statement of who I was, not just a means of getting to and fro like my sister thought. Pulling into the school parking lot in an ordinary set of wheels that blended in with all the rest just wouldn't cut it. No, I had to be different. That carried through from VW Beetles and Micro Busses to mid-'60s Impalas and early Chevy trucks. Despite my huge fear of crashing, motorcycles have always fit in there somehow, too. But as far as a role model or a pinpoint influence, there never was any-I migrate south during the summer on my own! Though my parents appreciate what I do, they don't understand why it is that I spend so much money on all this stuff that, for the most part, is just old stuff to them. For that, they continuously ask "why?" The fact that I have a mortgage and a young child only gives them supposed fuel toward their side of the argument, but my reasoning is that I am simply building reference material for my son's future endeavors, something they were unable to provide (they hate that!).
The fact that I have worked in the automotive publishing industry for well over a decade has only allowed my self-inflicted addiction room to prosper and grow-biased to an extent, but to me, that's just making up for lost time. My question to everyone in Readerville is, why are you part of this crazy world of vintage trucks, cars, and the like? What brought you to the point you're at now? Is it a family tradition? Or have you stumbled across this insane hobby on your own doing? Most importantly, though, where do you see yourself within the classic truck sect (or any other for that matter) in the near future? I seriously want to hear what you all think, so throw your thoughts down on paper, copy a recent Blog entry and e-mail it, whatever, just let me know and help satisfy a curious mind. There's a remote chance that you might just be reading this particular issue as you wait patiently for a haircut or for a checkup. But I know from past experience that there are plenty regular readers that have no problem replying to my ramblings, so don't let me down!
Oh, one last thing. I'm more than happy to promote the 50th anniversary of the '56 Effie to the fullest extent, as you'll see in the coming months. But what happened to the celebration of the '55 Chevy Second Series? I think the boat left the harbor last year without even tootin' its horn! Sorry Chevy guys!