I’ve called the Porsche 356 my automotive soul mate. But it turns out I have two of them, thanks to my father moving us to the US in 1960. That obviously changed the course of my life, one of the biggest being exposure to physical work, which I learned to enjoy. City dwellers in Europe, especially those from an educated background, are not very likely to experience that.
I started mowing lawns and raking leaves for neighbors at the age of nine. And I spent several weeks each summer with Mennonite farmers, where I was exposed to a whole different way of life, one that revolved solely around physical work. Although Mr. Yoder drove an old Studebaker pickup, I noticed that old Chevy trucks of this vintage were everywhere in the Iowa countryside.
I fell in love with them, and they perfectly represent the other side of me. We’re about the same age, and we’re both still working. Given that the Chevy had a recent engine rebuild, it’s still working as well as it was 70 years ago; me not so much so. That’s the cruel difference between cars and humans — no engine rebuilds for us.
This old Chevy truck is still hard at work for its owner, Jon Sigurdson, a Port Orford tree and landscape contractor. Before Jon bought it in 1990, it had been a lumber hauler. I found it and Jon at our neighbors’ house across the street from our Port Orford place, where I’ve been doing more tree trimming and brush clearing than I ever have before. And I’ve been hauling lumber in my ’66 F100 for decades.
I can’t just sit in front of the computer all day doing head work; If I don’t do some physical work each day too, I start to feel frustrated and out of balance. The somewhat curious thing is that the older I get, the more I crave physical work and get fed up with too much time sitting at the computer, even though I’m obviously not as capable of working as hard as I once was. I guess it’s because I can feel my physical powers diminishing, and I want to use them while I still can. Hopefully my mental powers will still be somewhat useful when my physical powers are worn out.
This truck is still running like new, thanks to a thorough engine rebuild three years ago. I wish it were that easy for me. Isn’t that why we love to see or keep old cars fixed up and running, because it’s a way of creating the eternal youth and immortality we can’t for ourselves?
For me, it’s not so much the “eternal youth” part, as I like to see the natural effects of time, on people as well as cars. As long as it doesn’t affect the ability to function, patina, dings, rust spots, wrinkles, moles and saggy skin are all something to wear proudly. This truck and I have earned our badges of age, experience and wisdom. If others can’t appreciate them, too bad for them.
This Chevy is all-work, inside and out. And there’s a dog in the passenger seat to keep Jon company. I can relate.
When I’m doing physical work, I wear really grubby clothes. More like rags, in Stephanie’s estimation. I can’t bear to stain, soil or tear newish clothes. I wear the same work pants for many years, and have Stephanie patch them up for me until it’s not feasible anymore. My work jacket is a grubby fleece I picked up at Goodwill ten years ago, a relic from the 1990s or so. When I walk into Home Depot, I look like I just crawled out of a ditch. Which I may well have.
When I’m done working, I change into my other “uniform” that consists of comfortable and fashionable black all-weather athletic pants, a black turtleneck and a vest or light jacket. Then I’m in my “Porsche” mode: head-work, exercise, hiking, skiing, eating, and chilling. Before the pandemic, that included concerts (classical and jazz), theater, art exhibits, etc.. Speaking of, I’ve really been missing that part of life, although it is coming back. We just haven’t yet felt ready.
I may not be able to rebuild my engine, but I do try hard to keep it in good tune. I take care of myself by eating right and staying fit. It’s the only way to stave of losing compression and burning oil for as long as possible.
You’re looking at one half of my automotive self, right down to being a bit longer than average. This 3/4 ton 3600 series Chevy obviously got a frame extension at some point in its long life. I got mine at age 15, when I grew a foot in one year.
I’m sitting here in Eugene itching to get back to Port Orford tomorrow, as I’ve got a lot to do; install my electrical system, some rough plumbing, install a new entry door in a new location, as well as a long list of other things. And of course my chain saw will be along, for when I really crave a workout.
So what car(s) best represent you?
Related reading:
CC 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Advance Design pickup: America’s And My Favorite Truck
Wow, still earning it’s keep after 70 years. Impressive indeed. The only improvement I’d like to see would be hand painted lettering on the doors instead of the sign, but hey it’s a work truck.
A few years ago a friend got that question in an interview, if you were a vehicle what would you be? So I considered that for myself and I came up with Volvo 240 wagon with a 5-speed. Not flashy, kind of old school but reliable and versatile. And a bit zippy because of the 5-speed. Something that gets the job done with a minimum of fuss.
Fantastic truck. I love the dashboards on these Chevies; simple and stylish.
Interesting question, made more challenging if one narrows the answer to their birth year. Since I was born at the tail-end of the Malaise Era, although it is not my automotive soulmate, the car from that time that best represents me would be an ’82 AMC Eagle Wagon. Like the Eagle, I’m not particularly good at anything, but in the mountains and steep terrain I can be surprisingly capable. The Eagle was first released in 1980, but it has more in common with its much older Hornet relative. I have older parents than my peers and much older siblings, so I tend to relate better to people 10-12 years older than myself. The Eagle Wagon is pretty thirsty for its size, especially after a day of climbing steep roads; and I can guzzle a lot of beer for my size, especially after a day of climbing steep trails. My past attempts to adopt trendy styles were not successful or a couple years too late, and I really look better in simple, stylish clothes. The Eagle did not look good with any kind of “trendy” accoutrements like vinyl roofs or opera windows, but can actually look good just as a wagon, as long as it ditches the fake wood. I don’t fit well into any category, just like the misunderstood jacked-up Concord. I have no desire to ever own an AMC Eagle, but I can relate to it on many levels.
Realistically, probably something like this, even though I’m a ’67 model:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1969-camaro-six-the-last-unmolested-69-camaro-daily-driver-left-in-the-world/
I might have answered this in any number of more dynamic ways over the years, but at this stage I figure I’ve still got a bit of style, albeit weathered, I’m admittedly not the overly flashy type, but I still do what needs to be done, slowly. 😉
My 2015 Chevy Malibu is my soul mate. I like to drive to work to make a living. I also like to drive to Florida once a year, to thaw out from this GD winter crap. My Malibu likes to do these things to, trouble free. All while averaging 28 MPG over the run of 6 years,
Ooooh, tough question. If I am restricting it to somewhere around my birth year, I am going to go with a Studebaker Lark, one of the high-trim hardtops, maybe. Athletics has never been my thing, but I seem to have good genes and am quite durable with very few nagging physical issues. I have been told that with my fair skin I need to stay out of the sun at my age, just like Studes would live long and healthy lives so long as they stayed out of the salt.
The high trim models were nicely done and I can look fairly dapper in a suit, but mostly I am practical and not an early adopter. My tastes have always been out of the mainstream and have never been big on trying to live up to others’ ideas of how I should do things because I have my own ways.
Nicely kept Chevy. 12v upgrades (along with dual master cylinder brake upgrades) is something I’d probably want on any vintage driver. Not original, but functional. A bit like some of the medical procedures many of us undergo as we age.
My automotive soulmate? A 1963 Dodge. Why? I got my 1st NEW bicycle in 1963. Same year our neighbor got a new 1963 Dodge station wagon. Since our family car was a ’59 Rambler American, I would have envied pretty much any other car.
In 1963, I saw my new bike as the end of the line for the beat up Frankenbikes I used to peddle newspapers and earn the money for the Schwinn. I hoped some day our family would have a nice new ’63 Dodge to replace our Rambler just like the neighbors. The American dream.
Oh well, one out of two ain’t bad.
I wouldn’t be my namesake the DKW Hummel, although we have similar birth years.
More like a Citroen Acadiane, the last version of the 2CV family which was produced until 1987.
If you find my appearance challenging then we won’t get on, I’m like this because I’m pragmatic and short of money. I can be difficult to get started and I’m slow, but I’m practical and get the job done. And I would make more sense living out my retirement near the Mediterranean than in North West England.
I’m your age, Paul–though not as enterprising, active, or resourceful. Still, as I do physical work I think, “this will only be harder three, five, ten or more years from now.”
Year of Birth Vehicle: I’ll go with a Ford Ranch wagon with the flathead V8 and automatic. It could do somewhat truck-like hauling, but still be a civilized people hauler. I get tempted when I see a solid survivor for sale…
I also own a 1952 Chevrolet 3600 that is my soulmate. It is a 5-window with an in-line 6 (not original but one from a 1953 Bel Air that had a Powerglide transmission). My truck does have its original Muncie SM420 4-speed transmission. It is an attractive 20-footer that has a new total wiring harness, LED running lights with turn signals, and a new radiator.
I take it out for recreational drives and to local shows and club events. It’s also been known to haul the occasional purchase from the lumber yard but it is definitely not a “working truck.”
IIRC, the Bel Air with Powerglide had a truck engine with 235.5 cid instead of the standard 216. If I’m right, your engine would be more original than it seems…
Rafael, I decoded the engine and it indicated it was from 1953 and meant to be mated to a Powerglide transmission. Maybe the 235 was available on 1952 year model trucks though trucks could not be ordered with a Powerglide. It would be a fortunate swap though since the 235 cu. in. motor has full pressure oiling and the 215 was a splash oiler. Even so, my engine does not have an oil filter but I do change the oil frequently.
I’ll try again to upload an image (.jpg) though I wasn’t successful in my previous post. Maybe 2.6 Mb is too large.
I didn’t know the oiling difference. Of course, full pressure will be much more durable. Believe it or not, here in Uruguay some of these trucks are still in use, though everyday thinner on the ground, by salesmen in farmer’s markets. They are usually in almost dilapidated condition, sometimes with an engine that could be original, but mostly with a diesel swap dating to the 80s. Most of the farmers though have long since changed to new vehicles.
I like this game. I’d be a ’65 Bel Air station wagon, with power steering and brakes, and an engine swap with a Diesel Perkins 4.203 and a Powerglide. So, grossly overweight, lazy off the mark (and anywhere else), very thrifty, but eager to share whatever my way might be with as much people as possible keeping them on a smooth road while swallowing all the pots.
I see in the picture this truck has the 235, the waterpump with fan extend further forward than the stock possibly 216, the radiator is moved forward to accomodate. Kit available to shorten the extension of the pump so that radiator relocation isn’t required. Common to see the arrangement this truck has.
If the vehicles have to be from my birth year, one of them would probably a ‘56 Willys pickup with modernized steering and brakes, and perhaps an OHV V6. With fuel injection because I hate carburetors. A second vehicle to represent the other side of me? Hmmm … perhaps a Chevy 210 with a 265 and 4 speed, or perhaps a Volvo Duett, again modestly upgraded with a B20, 4 speed, disk brakes and a 12V electrical system. But I’d be OK with carbs as long as they were SU’s.
“So what car(s) best represent you?”
Year of birth vehicle: I was born in 2002, so my best guess would be a Dodge Viper of the same year due to the fact that we both share a raw honesty mentality, and when I was younger I was pretty fast too.
I guess I don’t really have automotive soul mates, more of just companions that can help me out whenever I ask it of them, and I repair them in return, somewhat like a mutual agreement.
I don’t think I can really make a choice between them, they all satisfy me in different yet similar ways, so I feel like it wouldn’t be right to put one on a pedestal over the others, but that’s just me.
This was just fantastic. I also get the whole “I need to do something away from a computer” thing. As soon as it gets warm enough, I look forward to talking walks after work.
As for the last question, wow. I wouldn’t know where to start with that one. I was born in the mid-’70s and wear clothes from that era, so I’m going with Chrysler Cordoba (for today, anyway). A little bit Monte, a little bit Jaguar, quiet, confident, unmistakably me, and with no direct successor.
Joseph, I only know you from your writing here on CC, which is insightful, clever, and concise. Not words I’d apply to a Cordoba, but I sorta get it. Though I thought you might have picked a Flint-born personal luxury coupe.
Aw, thanks. I can’t think of any mid-’70s Buicks that fit my vibe. 🙂 Maybe a ’76 or ’77 Century or Regal? I very much identify with Flint and being from Flint, but my roots there go back as far as just me – neither parent was from there.
One of the earliest cars I remember seeing was my uncle’s bullet nose Studebaker. His was a 4 door but I was always enamoured with the Starlight Coupe. Such a clever and elegant design. I was born in 1950 and a coupe from that year has long been on my list but it is actually a bit too over the top to represent me. I was also tempted by the 1951 with the V8.
Nice old truck, and it’s great to see it still on the job after 70 years. Here in Ontario any truck that old and still in good shape would be stored for the winter – strictly a good-weather driver. The older trucks like that Chevy and your F-100 are simpler to maintain, and it’s not surprising to see them around in gentler climates. I’m not sure that many of today’s trucks will still be on the road in 50 or 60 years. My job is all mental work, and sitting in front of a computer all day gets hard after a while. I like to get outside when I can, and I take any opportunity to do some physical work, even just around our home. That said, I’m of two minds when it comes to vehicles. I’ve always liked trucks, and since I was born in 1963 a Chevy or GMC pickup of that vintage would work for me – just a straight 6 (V6 for the GMC) and a manual for when I have stuff to haul or when I just want to drive myself. Preferably a Stepside. As for cars, that’s easy. A ‘63 Pontiac Grand Prix coupe in black…with an automatic so my wife could drive it as well.
I’m a 1952 model myself, turning 70 next month. I suppose I’d choose a ’52 Chevy as my stand-in, perhaps something like the Bel Air hardtop pictured, Stovebolt Six and 3-on-the-tree. Blue has been my favorite car color.
Another nice old Advanced Design rig still working ~ no surprise there as these are *very* hard to kill .
The engine could be a 261 is the owner is lucky or made the effort .
Working is a very good thing as it keeps the body going .
I too zone out after too long at the computer .
I don’t know about a vehicular soul mate as it seems to change now and then but this old Mercedes parked outside right now has been with me a few decades now and would be the single vehicle I’d choose if forced to have only one .
-Nate
I hate to say this but in a way here in Texas, these are close to being a bit cliche….Lt Governor Dan Patrick has a duded up one in his commercial (won’t get into it to avoid politics except to mention the vehicle)…with his name on the side, lots of Texas emblems, and the full exterior sun visor, as if all these came with them (like tissue dispenser in 50’s MOPARs. Of course you have to have a pickup in Texas…guess I never followed suit, I use my hatchback to carry some stuff, renting or borrowing one when I need or using small trailer (it is a pain to do, folding trailer is heavy with plywood deck and I have to get it up a 10 inch step). My brother-in-law as well as my sister have one, but I’ve never borrowed either (yet). Don’t need the utility on a daily basis, only once in a while, so I prefer smoother ride of a car (especially as I get older).
I like simple old pickups mostly because they’re more modest size, know larger pickups are sometimes handy, but most often the large size isn’t really needed, though I know it costs about the same to make larger ones as smaller. The funny thing to me is that when I lived back east it seemed that pickups were a lot lower…used to seem almost like the height of a regular sedan (like a Crown Victoria) with a pickup bed…but at some point they got taller, even the 2wd versions. Not talking about monster trucks (which you seldom see anymore) but just regular ones you see daily in traffic. To me the lower height is better for loading the bed which enhances their practicality. That’s what I admire about these, though of course they have a unique rounded style still a bit different than the “jellybean” shape of vehicles these days. The funny thing to me is that’s kind of how pickups started, just the same as a sedan but with a bed added to the frame and a short cab in place of the regular body with rear seating)…but it’s been a long time since then and they’ve evolved into something quite different now.