Once again, we’re on the lookout for some COAL contributors. Go on, and share with us your car-related anecdotes, with the joys and pains that come with them. We all have some, and we’re ready to hear them.
Just send us an email to curbsideclassic@gmail.com, to let us know you’re interested. (Update: We got a few interested parties. Thanks!)
Can you define COALer for the naive such as I?
COALer = The author of a Cars of a Lifetime series.
You’ll note posts – several a week – that are entitled “COAL”. Those are the COALer posts. It’s how most authors here on CC start out.
Ive owned over 100 at last count many repeats but ive zero photos and a lot are oddballs the US never saw especially the last 3 dailies and 3 classics I might try Paul set me up with a writers log in after I did a couple of posts, you probably havent read one about learning to drive and another about an old Austin still in tourist taxi use
Kiwi, I love your comments. You should give articles a shot. Out of 100 vehicles owned, there ought to be some that are COAL-worthy. 🙂
I’d say the same thing to you that I said to SajivW–his COAL series was all the more interesting because he wasn’t in the USA. It gave a different perspective.
I would pay money to hear about your sister’s alleged prototype 1990 widebody Camry of which we were given the privilege to see a grainy photo of. I think that, your Xsara and let’s not forget the “Amon Corona” are your most mentioned cars
With your vast knowledge I’m surprised you haven’t written a couple of your rides up big guy. Would be interesting reading I’m sure.
Bryce, always love your comments. You seem like a great guy and someone I’d like to hang out with and share a few pints. Even more, would love to read a CC article by you. 1,000 words without a punctuation mark would be a hoot. Seriously, you have an interesting perspective and I’m sure all of us would love to hear more from you.
I also love your comments Bryce and would look forward to any article you would write.
I’ve owned about a hundred cars from the age of 15 to 30 – as Bryce says, many repeats and more than a few I’d only owned for days or weeks – with the added thrill factor of a shoestring budget. Almost all Asian cars – only one Mercedes (a W202) and a Volvo 760 Turbo notably along with a V6 Alero punctuate it.
Trying to see if I can econonically condense the stragglers into the ‘main’ posts to at least acknowledge them in passing
I have two current ones to contribute to your request. A pulled out of storage, dust covered 1986 BMW 635csi and a found on craigslist 1996 Volvo 850r.
I surely hope Bryce writes in lurid detail about all those wonderful vehicles we never got in the U.S.A. along with weird Motoring tales…..
-Nate
The BMW.
Well, first thing I’d do is to put a euro-style bumper on that shark. And next I’d do is to write about it here on CC 😉
The story behind this car is wild. I’ve known it since it was new when I was in my teens. The original owner passed two years ago and it was sitting at the back of a body shop for over twenty years when I got it. It was parked for issues with the fuel pump. I’m putting my story together so I can post it. I even have video of it being pulled out.
An underwhelming 10 cars in 30 years, the majority Holden’s and Fords, not much a story here I’m afraid.
In my 41 years as a driver, I have owned/been primary driver of 12 cars:
1981 Chevrolet Chevette 4-door
1985 Chevrolet Cavalier wagon
1990 Chevrolet S10 Blazer
1991 Ford Escort 2-door
1993 Geo Metro Convertible
1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-door – inherited from my grandmother
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2004 Scion Xb
2006 Buick LaCrosse
2016 Jeep Patriot
2017 Kia Forte5
I learned to drive in the Chevette, so I seem to always default back to small hatchbacks…with a few detours to American sedans or SUVs.
The most fun: The Geo Metro convertible (which was a color called mystic magenta). Only 3 cylinders, but a kick to drive and be seen in. Pretty much a life-size Barbie car.
The one I should have kept: The Scion Xb. So roomy, comfortable to drive, and such a unique look.
The one I always wanted: The Buick LaCrosse. I got it when I found myself single after a 15 year relationship. I loved American marshmallow-ride sedans growing up. Wasn’t the best car, but was very comfy.
The best deal: My grandmother’s Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. She obviously went to the dealer and they unloaded this black with red trim monster with strange tweed seats. She stopped driving not long after that, so the car sat for a long time. I paid to have the wasp nests cleared out, and to ship it across the country from Long Island to San Diego…10 years old when I got it, but less than 15k miles on it. Except for needing a new alternator every so often, it was a good, almost free car.
My current ride: The Kia Forte5. 41 years later, and I am basically in a Chevette again. One that rides way better, and with lots more options…but a 4-door hatchback nonetheless. My husband actually calls it my roller skate, but I love it.
I’ve always been tempted to write up my history, especially as I find myself at an automotive crossroads after 3 decades on the road. I’m not sure I have the time to dedicate thought to finding my writing style & telling a compelling story out of each, at least compelling to anyone but me. I’m not a mechanic & the cars themselves pretty much look like what everybody else has in N.America, even if they represent a few twists & turns in life. I’d initially typed this with the list of 7 cars (4 in the last 7 years as I went from a 1 car to 2 car back to 1 car garage). But I’ll keep the list out of it for now should I decide to write them up at some point.
At least every car I’ve bought myself has been in the digital era so I can supplement with pics. If I expanded with cars of my family, even those I might have been primarily responsible for at times, I’d have to dig back into prints.
I try to keep vehicles 10yr/200,000km give or take & many have made it there. I suppose I have entered a bit of automotive turmoil at least for me lately, though I’m reminded used car lots are full of 2yo cars that somebody has traded.
I’ve spent sometime this morning writing a list (fairly short as alluded to in my last post) of my vehicles through the years, beginning in 1989.
1974 Bedford CF 250 van
1984 Toyota Hilux SR5 Xtracab
1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale (I lived in Canada for a year in 1996)
1972 Holden Ute (GTS inspired, V8 four speed)
1976 Holden Kingswood vacationer wagon
1992 Holden Commodore VP S Wagon
2006 Holden Commodore VY SS Wagon
2008 Holden Colorado 4×4 cab chassis
2011 Ford Falcon Ute XR6 turbo
2016 Holden Commodore SS Sportswagon
I think they’ve all been written up in some form previously by more talented scribes than this guy.
My biggest problem is that with no new locally made large six or eight cylinder rear wheel drive cars being available in Australia I’m struggling with my next purchase. As a house/residential carpenter I’m considering a van but the new Ford Ranger Raptor with the petrol V6 appeals to my fragile sense of masculinity and would definitely bolster it more than a Transit van even with those groovy optional stripes……..
I might need to reach out here. My list isn’t as comprehensive as others, but I learnt good grammars – even if it were at a State Universities.
1972 El Camino 350
1978 Camaro 305
1984 Pontiac 6000 (2.5l)
1986 Pontiac 6000 (V6)
1987 Grand Am LE (2.5l)
1992 Mercury Crapi XR2
1994 Honda Accord LX Coupe 2.2l
2000 Prelude
2007 Miata PRHT
2022 Miata RF
And via Mrs. DB
1996 Saturn SL
2000 Saturn L100
2002 ES300
2006 ES330
2017 ES350
I was at the 100 owned mark just with rear drive volvos. Buying and selling 6 a year. even had 3 780 turbo coupes.. Keeping just under dealer status… Had four antique buicks, 38,39,40 and 52. And a 72 boat tail Riv in 76. 18 Nissan/Datsun zcars, s130s and z31 cars.. an 84 ae in the mix #18 was a 350z roadster. Currently on my 27th or so Bimmer. Have 2, 96 328 and 99 528… Among those had 7 e30s, 5 of those verts and two coupes. 2 e36 m3s.. Had a 90 c4 vette, 98 mustang gt. Chrysler Crossfire. Sold the techno m3 vert as I picked up this beauty last Sept rescued from a Manhattan parking deck where it Sat for 10 years. Exactly like my first car at 17. Seems my current 3 are keeper status. I’m 71 and slowing just a bit. Although I’ve put 7k miles on the 63 comet since last September.. Life’s too short, ya gotta have fun. Pic is from new Canaan ct cars and coffee