I was rolling past South Eugene High School this afternoon, headed to Glenwood. And what pulls out of the parking lot in front of me? A very familiar elderly Diplomat; a former Curbside Classic. Or at least I was pretty sure it had to be. How many totally cherry Grandpa-mobile Diplomats can there be in this town? This made me very happy indeed, given that when I shot it for the CC, it was at a dealer, having just been traded in. Never know where those cars will end up. And here it was in the hands of a high school girl. Which made me wonder how she came to have it.
She turned north on Agate, heading into the UO campus. I thought maybe she’s an AP student that takes some classes there, or maybe a student teacher? It wouldn’t be the first time I asked about how a driver about their CC. But no, she kept going, and headed east on Franklin Blvd, towards Springfield. Which is where I was going too; well, part way. As I pulled beside her, there was no mistaking, this was the same car.
She was obviously going to Springfield, and I seriously considered following her. I have done that before; the car stalker, as Stephanie calls me. But I decided against it; I had things to do, and I had no idea how far out she was going. And I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Anyway, the story was in hand: the old Diplomat has found a new home. And here’s the best part: she drove well, and briskly. It’s in good hands.
Awwwwwwwwww Come On Man! If you see the car parked you’ve got to leave a note with just this web address under her whiper – http://www.dippy.org/index.html
You need to get the next generation addicted! Did you know by simply moving the gas tank three inches to the passenger side and extending the filler neck you can install a true dual exhaust on the Dippy like the factory should have in the first place? (OK Dan, breathe…)
I at least hope somebody teaches her how to take care of a vinyl top properly. Sigh…
(Lest anyone think I’m having buyers remorse about the district auction – still not fully concluded BTW – I’m like an animal loving kid at the pound… I want to save all the sad little puppies.)
Obviously, I instantly thought of you Dan. You’d have loved her; the car I mean.
Say that with a smile, Mister. 🙂 I wouldn’t comment on the young lady ’til I knew how old she was. Although it looks like her hair is in a pony tail, I always give more points for it being down.
You did the right thing, Paul. Had she smelt a tail, and called 911, you’d have had a lot of explaining to do.
You were legit, and you could prove it – but nobody needs that kind of “official notice.”
Here’s what you might want to do: Have the WIFE write up a note, print out your front page from here, and have her invite the girl to call. She, your lady, can explain what you’re up to; and could invite the girl’s parents to come along as well.
Probably Dad could explain better and more objectively than the girl, why she’s driving that thing. In fact, she’s probably wondering herself – why she’s being made to drive that $#@& car….
I agree, except about her being made to drive it. Old American cars are very cool nowadays with the kids here; I see more and more of them all the time. Don’t forget, many of these kids grew up with Japanese cars, and you know how it is with subsequent generations; got to be different.
I may follow up, because I am a bit curious how and why she came to have it.
I’m trying to get my mind around that. When I was young, and they were being made (and NOT selling, stacking up in the Sales Bank and on dealers’ back lots) they had basically three uses:
1) Police cruisers
2) Taxicabs
3) Grandma Specials.
I drove a few, as cabs…they were competent in the sense that they started and got you Point A to Point B; but exciting they were not. My ride at the time was Blazing Saddles, my Texas Pinto; and if I’d had my druthers I’d have been in either a ’65 Mustang or a Jeepster.
I guess, perspective is everything. The Tri-Five Chevys, in their day, were stodgy, dumpy cars overshadowed by the longer, lower Fords and Plymouths. In MY day, twenty years later, they were the cool ride for jock seniors. I never knew them as anything else.
So it goes…so it goes. I can’t imagine a high-school girl being able to afford a Diplomatic appetite for petrol…
“3) Grandma Specials.”
Everyone I knew that had an M body during high school and through college got it as a hand me down from a grandparent.
By that time only the State Troopers were still using them, all the local PDs had gone to Caprices and LTDs.
So in case you’re wondering who will be driving well-preserved 2011 Impalas in 2036, perhaps this is the answer…
Maybe she chose it I see quite a few girls driving old model cars round here good somebodys got to keep em alive.
“CREEPY OLD MAN CREEPS CUTIE IN QUOTIDIAN CAB-MOBILE”
Don’t do it, Paul! 😉
From the first photo, it looks like the 3rd brake light (in the back window) is out. And she may not be wearing her seat belt!
I bet her insurance is probably really cheap 🙂 .
What would you call that? Diplomatic immunity!