When I was a school kid - I loved to collect postage stamps. There were two stamp dealers in our town. One guy - Lambert Gerber - was world famous. He made millions running auctions decades before there was an ebay. Franklin Roosevelt was a good customer of his. The other guy - Ross - had a small corner shop selling mostly cheap stuff to kids like me. Both dealers were very nice to collector kids like me. One time I asked my Dad what was the difference between the two dealers. He said, "Every year Lambert Gerber buys a new Cadillac - and every year Ross gets his Packard painted." I didn't get it at the time - Now I do.
About 4 months ago I bought a little Toyota truck for $2000. We didn't really need it - we already had 2 good cars and a Vespa scooter. I didn't need a truck - but when it came up on Craigslist at that price - I had to have it.
The truck runs great - powerful engine - smooth transmission - ice cold air - good gas mileage - nice big bench seat to hold 3 people. It had 134,000 miles on it when I got it - I am surprised that I put 2000 miles on it in 4 months just running around town. I seldom touch my newer cars. Of course my friends and neighbors love that I have a truck for them to borrow.
The other day I took the truck to Maaco - the national car painting company. Steve - the Maaco guy - said he could paint it and fix a couple rust spots for $400. I thought, "What do I have to lose." So I took it in on Friday and Monday afternoon I got a call to pick it up. Check out the pictures above. Note the Seminole Spear stripes.
When I first graduated from college - I insisted on buying a new car every year. To me - it was success - even though my lavish wheels were sponsored by a payment booklet to the bank. I always wondered why I did not have a lot of extra money. Now I am retired - everything paid for cash - and I can afford to buy a new car every year. Instead - I choose to drive a 12 year old Toyota truck - and get it painted every year.
I have looked at life from both sides now.
1 comment:
I think it would TRULY be a miracle if you were still painting that little 2 cylinder Honda. :-)
Jim T
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