My nephew, Cody loves automobiles. He's been working on his dream car for quite a while and learning about all the inner workings of what makes the machine tick. Since he lives in a condo we told him he could bring it over to our house to work on it.
He and his friend towed the car over to our house and Cody began working on it.
What was supposed to take a half hour lengthened into the late afternoon.
Then there were two guys when my brother came to give advice and provide a needed part.
Then there were three guys when Art joined them. The two older fellows reminisced about the cars they owned when they were younger.
Eventually there were four guys when Cody's friend returned to provide his input.
I came out to hold my bedroom light closer so they could see better in the dark.
Alas... the car still wouldn't run, but on Monday night suddenly... after several false starts, began to turn over. We were out on the street pushing him when another male neighbor came out to ask him about the car.
As a happy, relieved Cody drove off it occurred to me that cars (working on it) are really mostly a guy thing. I wonder what guys played with before. Curricles? Wagons? Buggies? Chariots? Surries with a fringe on top?
What is your dream car?
He and his friend towed the car over to our house and Cody began working on it.
What was supposed to take a half hour lengthened into the late afternoon.
Then there were two guys when my brother came to give advice and provide a needed part.
Then there were three guys when Art joined them. The two older fellows reminisced about the cars they owned when they were younger.
Eventually there were four guys when Cody's friend returned to provide his input.
I came out to hold my bedroom light closer so they could see better in the dark.
Alas... the car still wouldn't run, but on Monday night suddenly... after several false starts, began to turn over. We were out on the street pushing him when another male neighbor came out to ask him about the car.
As a happy, relieved Cody drove off it occurred to me that cars (working on it) are really mostly a guy thing. I wonder what guys played with before. Curricles? Wagons? Buggies? Chariots? Surries with a fringe on top?
What is your dream car?
All cars will work when you get enough guys around it to power it with all that testosterone.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the one to ask about cars. I hate driving and only do it out of necessity. My favorite care is one that runs. I don't care what it looks like, it's just essential it run, that it's dependable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. As long as my car runs and I can make an appointment at my service station I have no interest.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the light fading and it becoming dark in the photos, glad it started, hope what ever the trouble is will be gone now.I can no longer drive due to my failing eyesight, I'm not a car person, as long as i'm comfortable and its quiet I don't care.I like air conditioning too, and a seat warmer, ha ha
ReplyDeleteI still want a '56 Chevy.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of my parents' life in San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. If a "residente" wanted to meet other resident foreigners, it was easy. Just lift up the hood of the car and poke around inside. Soon, half a dozen men will have gathered, followed soon thereafter by their wives who've been wondering where they went. In a half an hour, you have a party happening.
K
Cars must really be a guy thing! My son knows every brand of car and its cost. I like the expensive ones too!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your guys had a blast!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things my mom taught me was how to change a tire and how to use jumper cables because "a man isn't always around when you need one." Over the years, I can attest that she was right mostly but to be honest, I've never really changed a tire. A guy always stops to help me -- stunned that I know how to use a jack. LOL And I've always asked mechanics a lot of questions when my car is in the shop so I can at least sound like I know what they're doing and I think it's saved me money over the years. I did the same with my Kate. One morning she called me and said our Omni had a flat. I asked her if she called the AAA. She said no -- that she did it herself and just called to tell me to stop at our mechanics' because she dropped off the tire to be fixed and she was broke. I was astounded -- her brother would never have done that.
This post appeared after wordpress posted it. Wonder what happened. Anyway, when something goes wrong with my car, I always call AAA.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. I put the wrong time on this post so it wasn't posted at 12:30 AM like I usually do my posts. I find that more people are able to read it if I post early for the mainlanders to see it in the morning.
DeleteGood work, guys!
ReplyDeleteHENRY HANK CHAPIN It's not only a guy thing but I'm wondering why Art ends up being barefoot.
ReplyDeleteThere's a door that leads out to that area that has no slippers because we usually keep it locked. Instead of going around the house, Art decided to step out to take a look hoping that Mom wouldn't come out and catch him bringing dirt into the house.
Deleteyou use to be able to repair cars on your own-nowadays they are so computerized...maybe they worked on their go carts when younger?
ReplyDeleteSorry if you see a duplicate note. Very sorry about the virus. My daughter had the same one. Yup, cars are men things, but I took part when I was younger just so I would have a car that ran. Dream car. A convertible that got good mileage and rode well. :)
ReplyDeleteHorses!!!
ReplyDeletefrequently, those 20 minute fixes end up taking 2 hours, 2 days even.
ReplyDeleteThis was 2 DAYS. Poor Cody! But it must feel good that it's running now.
Deletelol. I do know how it feels. And how it doesn't feel when things still don't work. Famous last words .... "if you're struggling, you're doing it wrong."
DeleteIt must be a guy thing. Maybe guys are more mechanically inclined? Or just that they always get so darn greasy women just wouldn't want to get their nails dirty. In fact...I've never seen a female mechanic ever. That will be the day! I think that's where I draw the line...greasy hands.
ReplyDeleteAs for dream car....husband keeps talking about how great mini coopers are. I can't imagine riding in one. Let's face it you have to match the car you drive or at least not look out of character.
L. from W.
I've ridden in a mini Cooper. In fact, my son-in-law had a mini for a couple of years and then traded it in for a VW Golf. The mini is really quite spacious on the inside. Surprisingly. I love our Prius.
DeleteChristopher and I aren't really bothered about cars, neither do we have much idea about what makes them work - that's what garages are for! Our dream car is one that works properly, doesn't cost too much to fill up with petrol, is reliable and has enough room for us and the dog. That's about it.
ReplyDeletei reckon guys get obsessed with anything with wheels. i dont like cars, i dont see what the big deal is. but dont say that to my husband, lol.
ReplyDeleteI do love our Prius though, especially because of the gas mileage.
DeleteMy sister has a Mini Cooper and simply loves it! I guess I would have one too if I needed a new car, which I don't. My faithful Honda Civic takes me where I need to go. I said that just in case she's listening. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe were so poor, first hubby and I took a VW engine out of a '62 VW bus to get the engine rebuilt. We actually pushed the empty bus over onto the repaired, waiting engine to reinstall it. Since computers weren't involved, we could do a tune-up for $11 in parts. (The year was 1974.)
ReplyDeleteI learned more about cars doing that, and can usually find an honest mechanic, and can tell when one doesn't know what they're doing. I have AAA and it's nice if you're single or independent. At least someone will come help who probably won't harm you. AAA is cheaper than a husband.
I've seen female mechanics, and one was in charge of the dealer's repair shop!
I wear nursing gloves to check my oil and fluids. Easier than trying to clean up.
My dream car is my old band director's '62 or '68 Jaguar, totally irrational. I like practical cars to keep my expenses low.
DrumMajor
I always said you were amazing, Drum Major!
DeleteIn my oil painting class the other night at the Honolulu Museum, I couldn't open my bottle of Linseed Oil. It was really stuck, like glue. This petite woman in the class, wearing nursing gloves,said, "Here, let me try that." Well you can guess what happened. She opened it in a jiffy. The gloves must have given her a great grip. Henry Hank Chapin
DeleteAfter so much hard work and all that advice I am glad to hear Cody was able to start his car. My Dad taught me how to check the oil and change a tire but that's as far as my knowledge went. I had a chat with my father-in-law who worked on tractors and old cars back in the day on the farm. He is brilliant at mechanics but can't do much he says with these new cars as he lamented about them all being run by computer chips.
ReplyDelete