This morning Joseph Dennis did a splendid job of self-identification with a 1965 Corvair, finding numerous similarities in its qualities and life trajectory. It just begs the question for all of us to answer: Which car best reflects your personality?
I really wanted to narrow mine down to one car, but I guess I must have a split personality. And although the question doesn’t limit it to cars you’ve owned, for me that’s where the answer lies. My 1986 Mercedes 300E reflects my Germanic side. The W124 was a forward-thinking car, as well as a timeless one, and it blended a superior mix of performance, advanced aerodynamics, efficiency, solidity, comfort, and a timeless design into a very influential package. I don’t pretend to be the W124 of humans, but I do aspire and relate to its many qualities, in one way or another.
It was also somewhat of an arrogant car. Owning it fed my budding superiority complex, and driving it very fast much of the time reflected my risk-taking (and asshole) side. I was pretty full of myself at the time, given that I also had a budding career in the tv industry and stock in a start-up. Needless to say, that all didn’t turn out quite as expected. But many of the 300E’s qualities are still very much a part of who I am today, and I still like to drive fast. And be right, 99% of the time. Hopefully I’m a bit less of an asshole.
My ’66 F100 reflects a rather different side of my personality, one that has a love of old things, whether it’s houses, steam engines, tractors or old cars and trucks. It reflects the summers I spent on a Mennonite farm in Iowa as a kid, absorbing their slower-paced life, love of the land, and the ability to make a living with their hands, and to keep simple old machinery going seemingly forever. I bought it just two years after I got the 300E, largely as a counterpoint, to balance an executive lifestyle that was not really organic to me.
Sitting in its bed with bales of straw for our first garden in 1988, I dreamed of a very different life. One that was financially independent, and based on my own efforts, mental and physical. And one that afforded the freedom to garden, hike, travel and pursue other interests (like CC) with more time and energy. Isn’t that what beds are for, dreaming?
I had no inkling then that the old Ford would become the key vehicle in my future life as a builder/renovator (and old car blogger), or that it was possible to start that kind of career late in life. The two of us got a late start, but we’re both seemingly built to keep running a bit longer than average, and with very little maintenance. We’re also both losing some of our faculties; my ears are shot, and a few other parts are showing signs of wear, as is the Ford. It’s something of a race to the finish: which one of us will give out first?
1962 Ford Fairlane with a dented hood.
This says it all for me
I feel the clunky old Jetta I used to have, that never ran well and which I bought way too enthusiastically, quite accurately represents my refusal to grow up.
The prototype Israeli Lark replacement I suppose, and you can make from it what you like…
Sir, With all due respect.
The guy standing in front of the Merc is the guy I remember standing in front of those and BMWs as a kid in the 80s in Chicago. The “Look” is a perfect fit.
The guy in the bed of the Ford? Totally different. That guy reminds me of days and days and days of detasseling corn in my preteen and early teen years in Sycamore.
I don’t have a pic but my current 1995 F150 4×4 and I are pretty much one in the same. A bit crusty but ready to tackle any job at least once. Maybe twice. None of my previous cars actually matched me this well.
Was it GM corn? Genetically Modified.
The BA5 Prelude Si 4WS I used to have was probably a reasonable approximation: technically elaborate, but not all that fast; eccentric in ways that were more odd than necessarily useful; and the source of considerable anxiety, little of which was actually merited.
Paul, this is a fascinating question, not least because you can also ask it the other way around, ie: which of your favourite car’s qualities have you adopted as your own.
In my previous life, I had a W211 E-Class. It was flashy, metropolitan, a bit unreliable, but a splendid place in which to spend some time. If you had to drive from one end of France to the other, or through the centre of London by night, it felt as if it was thoroughly in control.
Cue my next life, and the Volvo V70. More anonymous, a workhorse, a few bumps and scratches (patina), utterly reliable (touch wood at 112000 miles), give it a tough time and it just comes back for more.
I don’t stand out from the crowds in quite the way I used to, but I’m happy with that. I hope the Volvo and I can go a long way further, together.
I had to really think about this for a while, but I suppose it would have to be something that stands out a little from a similar car. A convertible helps, but not necessarily required. It must have some chrome and a little flash and look classy.
My 1964 Impala SS convertible was such a car, as well as our 1992 LeBaron convertible as well as our 1984 Chrysler E-Class sedan.
Now? My current ride, a 2012 Impala LTZ. Classy? Perhaps not to most, but it is embellished with a nice pinstripe, chrome door handles and I added the Impala logo and name on the sides that really sets it apart from all others.
The car fits me like a glove, and I love it. So there.
For me it’s like the story about the dog that selected you as opposed to you choosing it. My 2nd car, a ’62 Volvo 544 was a reliable, faithful and utilitarian beast far better appointed than my 1st, a ’60 Bug that was suffering from the consumptive effects of the rust weevil. My old Swede friend saw me through my undergraduate days of lean finances and beyond. I still aspire to its qualities.
My first thought would be a 1962 Dodge Dart since it came out from my birth year & wasn’t exactly a popular car when it came out but @ least some people appreciate it today. My other thought since I’m the only American born member of my immediate family would be one of those European sport cars w/an American motor that has plenty of quirks.
1964 Oldsmobile 98 LS in black.
Hard to say, but I prefer a coupe over a sedan because I prefer style over practicality, and in my old age, I`m tired of playing chauffer for other people.If it were a sedan, it would be a mid 60s to early 70s Cadillac or Imperial. Big, flashy, luxurious, and ostentatious-in a good way.
For 50 years, despite changing trends, I’ve been steeped in the large, RWD, American V-8 powered vehicle. My parents had them, our neighbors had them, and with a few exceptions, I’ve had them. Two of three vehicles in my little fleet currently answer this description (except that they also have either full time or optional time four wheel drive).
And, I think I’m practical.
A lot of the planet would think that this is utterly ridiculous, and for a lot of circumstances, they’d be correct.
But, practicality is environmentally driven. Cheap fuel and low annual mileage requirements are major components of my environment. The big American iron has always been relatively cheap to buy, insure and service. Convenience is also a factor, as dealers, parts and service have literally been in walkable distances my entire life. Even parking is easy 90% of the time. And, I actually use the utility and capacity of large vehicles regularly. When not using the full capability of the vehicle, it is still comfortable and easy-going in most circumstances.
The vehicle that may epitomize all this that is currently available on the market is the Ford F-150. And, as it turns out, I own one.
For me, it’s my 71 Alfa Romeo Spider. It (I) aspire(s) to be elegant and graceful, but it’s not really in the top league. Mechanically complex, and perhaps a bit difficult to live with but sophisticated in a lot of ways while managing to be quirky in ways that don’t really add anything. Quick and well balanced by the measure of 40 years ago; now, old and hopelessly outclassed by younger faster guns. The drive just isn’t there any more although under the right conditions, we will still rock the world.
The Edsel. A huge disappointment in every aspect, and a mistake from the beginning.
My gearhead roots started in Jeeps, and while my last 5 vehicles have been other Mopars, Ill always love the 7 slot grille. No one Jeep has ever been my ‘ideal’ combo, but the closest was my ’00 TJ. It had the 4.0L, a 2″ lift, and was in a bright attention grabbing color so its pretty close. Jeep CJs and wranglers are big and imposing (when lifted), tough and versatile yet a lot of fun. Attractive to some, not so much to others. 3 of my past Jeeps had the basic elements of what my ideal would be: The V8 swap of my ’78 CJ-7, the Scrambler body of my ’85, and the overall visual look of my ’00. So a Hemi swapped Scrambler with a 4″ lift, slot mags and painted electric blue….THAT would be the ideal. But so far, the ’00 was the closest:
Good conversation question. I wonder if there are any car psychoanalysts out there?
Why drive a now thirty year old Jetta for the last twenty five years? It’s not because I couldn’t afford to buy newer cars down the road. The longer I own it, the less I want to sell it. Really haven’t needed a second (work) car since 2008, but unless it’s a longer trip or I need the load carrying ability of my twelve year old Titan, I still hop in the Jetta. My frugal side appreciates the fact it sips gas. Hell, I only have 15k miles on my purchased brand new truck 12 year old truck which is the only vehicle I ever bought brand new.
Trying to remember breakdowns that stranded me, I can only remember 2. Shortly after I bought the VW in 1991, I drove it up to Washington state from LA. Around Sacramento, I heard a clanking sound from the front of the car, so pulled off I-5 and found an auto parts store. This car came from the factory with a balance weight/damper on the right drive axle, the rubber center had cracked apart and the weight slid up the axle into the inner CV boot, tearing it apart and slinging all the grease out. I found a universal split boot and moly grease in the store, and bought a bunch of zip ties as well. Using the jack the car came with, I zip tied the weight back in place and installed the new split boot and grease. A couple of hours later I was back on the road.
A couple of days after I arrived, the car lost power. Took it into the VW dealership I used to work for in Portland. I asked them to check and replace, if necessary the timing belt. I got the car back running well, was told the timing needed to be reset. Asked if they checked the belt, they said no. I had to get back to LA for work, so had no choice but to chance it, it broke 20 miles from home at 2:00 am in the pouring rain, lucky for me Cal Trans had a free tow service in the area so I was towed off the freeway a few minutes after the car stopped. Non interference motor, so no damage.
That was the only time it stranded me in 25 years of ownership. Came close in 2006 when a weld broke in the shifter leaving me stuck in 2nd gear a mile from work, but I drove it in with just this gear. I did once rear end a Chevy van in the rain about 12 years ago, punching a hole in the radiator. I drove it off the freeway to a parking lot and called a tow truck, but this could have happened to any car, wasn’t the cars fault. I almost junked the car, it had about 230k miles on it, and need hood, headlamps, fender, core support, radiator and condenser. I decided if I could fix it for no more than $500 I would, $250 in parts and $250 in paint later it was back on the road.
Not a bad track record for 300k miles. I had a couple of fuel pump relay failures through the years, but always carry a spare and it’s a 2 minute replacement and $25.00 part.
It still looks good, paint and interior have held up very well. Does get garage parked and has never seen road salt or rust.
It’s been good to me, I’ve treated it well. I worked for VW dealers for most of the time I used it as a daily work driver, and knew which mechanics were good at their job, and always got tips, tool loan, and help when needed for repairs, such as a clutch replacement. Between experience and internet info, and the fact the car is easy to work on, I keep it running for peanuts.
I guess I like to drive something that is not all that common. Lot’s of memories as well. I get a kick out of reading posters who owned a MK2 and the pos it was for them. The German built 8 valve CIS cars were the ones that were the most durable built the best, by far and that’s what I made sure to look for when I bought mine. Poor dealer service was something I was able to bypass, If I had a problem I knew who to ask at work and would get the correct answer the first time, and didn’t have to pay dealership rates for service.
Had my old ’70 Chevy C10 for 30 years, from 1976 to 2006. Bought it from the original owner. Actually bought the ’86 Jetta from original owner as well. Lot’s of repairs on the easy to work on Chevy over the years, transmission, multiple clutches, rear end, hardened vales seats, timing chain, heater core, radiator. But finally got the new truck bug, and the old Chevy really was in need of replacement or restoration, and being a stripper I decided to get a brand new truck for once in my life. I was working for Nissan and found a new 2004 2wd base truck which I eventually got for 18k, after a lot of back and fourth. I liked the fact only one engine and transmission was available no matter what trim level, and a powerful engine it is. Still has manual windows, locks, and mirrors, so the C10 spirit is there. But AC, cruise, ABS, PS, automatic and powerful engine were all things I really appreciate and wised the old truck had. And a back seat as well!
I plan to keep both for as long as I can drive. Collector plate goes on the Jetta in January. No more fees forever, yay!
Guess I like to root for the underdog. And enjoy driving something you don’t commonly see everyday on the road. If a vehicle treats me well over the long haul, I takes care if it and enjoy. Have been able over the years to now have two mortgage free houses, better that then car payments. As long as the vehicle still looks good, runs well and is durable over the long haul, I stick with it. Even my motorcycle is a 1985 I purchased in ’94, although It did get a seat recover and paint job in 1998 to keep it looking good. I’ll stick with my current fleet. It’s been good me, and I’ve been good to it.
This is why I’m a CC junkie.
Just to clarify (too late to edit) I was referring to my old truck being a stripper, not me!
Saab 9000. Practical, rational, quirky. Nice looking but not flashy. Crisp handling and adequate power. Very efficient use of space, comfortable on long drives. A nerdy car for nerdy people. Some unique maintenance needs. Decreasing reliability with age.
Hmmm…maybe a 1993-1995 Chrysler Concorde (I intentionally didn’t say 96-97 because I really like the grey lower cladding), maybe in hunter-green or wheat gold?
Unique then, still unique now, not only with distinctive cab-forward styling but with longitudinal FWD.
Tasteful yet conservative, reliable if you treat me right and just different in its own way. You may love me or loathe me.
I’ve pondered this question for a few days and I still can’t come up with a good avatar for myself. I’ve almost always purchased cars that were compacts or midsizers, so I think that I find those to be pretty useful for their size. I came of age in the late 1970’s and have been enamored with hatchback cars since then. I also witnessed the rise of turbocharged engines at that time.
Probably that would make me my 1987 Dodge Lancer ES Turbo. Kind of sporty, kind of utilitarian, a jack of all trades. Kind of like me.
What an interesting question! After a little self analysis and introspection and no ambivalence, there is only one vehicle that truly captures the essence of me: The Jeep XJ. Compact, functional, dependable, adaptable, versatile, unpretentious – yet with a quirky flair and subtle elegance. As at home at the Country Club as slogging through anything Mother Nature can throw at it. A Boy Scout at heart comfortable with big and little egos. Easily taken for granted yet remarkable in those moments of realization that there is a certain timeless expression of depth and nuance that deserves respect and appreciation. All-Amrican Yankee roots. All of the flashier faddish egomobiles and soft-roaders get the attention until you realize I’m the real thing that actually gets it done without fanfare or fluff.
The car best reflect the current ‘me’ is my current car that I bought a few months ago: 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. A comfortable plug in hybrid that handles pretty good and has decent acceleration . It can cruising around 80-90mph on highway while giving around 40-42 mpg as my recent 2500 miles confirmed . It uses electric only when driving around town, overall mileage is 55 mpg or so.
I always buy the wrong car. Just after getting it my life changes radically. I buy a minivan for my antique business, then out of business. Move to LA get a 2 seater convertible. Move back to France where I already had another one.
Traded that for a useless Honda. (Euro only for good reason) then an Audi, v6 don’t get me started. Then souped up Golf. Bored me stupid and my wife couldn’t drive it. So she went out and traded that for a hybrid.
Oh there were other things: Citroen CX wagons, Renault trucks….
I guess I never had a car I ever really ever loved.
My cars and trucks have generally reflected my personality pretty well. I’m not a high-end guy when it comes to clothes, electronics, home furnishings, etc. Practicality is high on the list. It has to be suitable for the mission. This comes from my aircraft background.
I have owned more regular cab pickups than anything else, only one had carpeting and only one had power windows/locks. Currently its a 2000 Chevy K2500 from the California State fleet.
In cars, Germanic traits do surface. We usually have an aircooled VW in the family fleet. While the Honda Fit (base model, stick) is the practical daily driver, a BMW was it’s predecessor (too fancy and troublesome).
If there was a car that best reflected my personality it’s not a car I would want to own!
The Pontiac Vibe is more me than I ever thought. Nothing flashy, looking average at best. Offering just a tad more substance than one would expect and still a bit rough around the edges. “Git’er done” without fanfare.