Classic cars

Submitted by Brennyn Lewis on 03/02/2020

Classic cars have always been something that my dad and I bond and connect over. About 5 years ago, he bought a 1967 Chevy Chevelle and planned to restore it. He got so many new parts to go on it and has been working on it himself over the years. On your website, I saw the section that talks about the importance of transporting classic cars and that there is a certain way it has to be done to meet your standards. I really respect this because a lot of time, money and energy is put into restoring a classic car and taking good care of them is something that every transporting industry should have in mind.

My dad and I have a really nice relationship and we bond when we work on his car together. We can talk about anything and everything when tinkering on his car because it is our space to let loose. My dad has always been an inspiration of mine and whenever we are together, I cherish out time. He works in the oil and gas industry, so I hardly ever see him. He works two to three weeks on and one week off. He does not get weekends off either so when I see him, I know that I have to cherish the time we spend. We usually work on his car because he wants to finish it before I go to college, so it is a goal of ours to work on it enough to where we can at least get it back on the road and not just a frame with wheels and an engine.

My dad also painted the transmission a bright, hot pink color for me because it was the heart of the car. It makes me happy knowing that we will always have that one thing that we bond over, and that thing is classic cars. He taught me a lot about cars, and it blows my mind how much goes into making them. There are so many little bolts and screws that are crucial when making a car be able to run. I never knew the amount of time, money, and energy goes into making the things that we use every day. Classic cars have more that go into them when restoring them too. This is because the parts that are needed in them are very hard and rare to find. We experienced this whenever we needed certain fenders and a new windshield for my dad’s car. We waited for a couple months for his windshield and when it came in, it was cracked! So, we had to order a new one and it was just a really complicated situation. But we were able to get the windshield in the car and it is starting to look like it is ready to drive again here soon.

I am really excited to be able to make new memories in that car because some of my best memories come from the days driving with my dad. There was this one time that we went into a car wash shortly after he got the car. We went into the auto car wash and when the water started to spray, the seals around the windows and windshield and doors were so bad that they started to leak and let water inside the car. We started to crack up with laughter as we were trying to stop the water the best we could with the little napkins that we had in the car. We ended up so soaked in water and soap that we had to get out and air dry before we hit the road again. I love this moment because it was such a shock and funny thing at the same time, and it helped us figure out that we had some serious work to do on the car before it would be what my dad wanted it to be. The care and appreciation for classic cars has such a big community and I love it because people bond and create friendships through classic cars.

And the fact that they are all over the United States and the word is really cool. Mecum auctions are one of my favorite things to go to because there are hundred of cars in one place that can be looked at. It’s so cool to know that the streets were flooded with all these types of cars. People used to think it was normal seeing a 1967 Chevelle driving by but today, it is like seeing a gem. Mecum actions are cool because it shows how cars have evolved and changed over time right in front of your eyes. The auctioneer talks so fast too and it is really cool that people can talk like that and understand them as well.

Classic cars have created a community of people that all have one thing in common: the love and passion for classic cars. There are so many jobs involved in them as well and it is a great way to bring something old back to life. My grandpa transports cars for Jay Leno all across the country, so I know how it is having to sacrifice certain things for that job. But he has gained a community of supporters while doing it, so it all worked out the way it was supposed to in the end. Classic cars are a really big part of my life and it just shows the influence that these cars have on people of all ages. I am really blessed that my family is centered around classic cars the way that we are. I have a hidden passion for them and I love working on the car almost as much as I love doing it alongside my dad. He is my number one supporter, and classic cars has opened my eyes to that even more than they already were.

Submitted by Brennyn Lewis on 03/02/2020