Car Keys

 The long hot summer is finally winding down. School starts soon and the prettiest time of year around here is almost upon us. It's a very refreshing time of year weather-wise, also. Warm days and cool nights. A lot of summertime activities are winding down also. By the time you read this Tioga Motorsports Park ( formerly Shangri-La Speedway) will have run one of, if not THE final race ever.

 It's kind of sad to see it go. There is a lot of racing history there. Although I am not a huge fan, I still remember hearing the cars all the way up to Apalachin when the wind was just right. And to me, the sound of a race engine of any kind is music to my ears. Thank goodness we have a new drag strip to fill our need for speed!  

 The car show circuit will be winding down soon also. Whenever I go to a car show , it's like walking back in time. Many of the cars I see are the same models that I rode in as a kid. I also see models that I used to own or knew buddies that had the same exact car. Like I have said in the past, the cars from the 1950s and ‘60s had character. They didn't handle that well. They didn't stop that well. But point them in a straight line and hit the gas! It was a fun ride. Of course the fuel mileage was not that great but then again when it was thirty cents a gallon, who cared? 

 Technology is a wonderful thing as far as the auto industry goes. The cars of today are far superior to the cars of thirty years ago but . . . they still lack the character.

 Remember a few years ago a music promoter tried another "Woodstock" music festival? They had bands and they had a crowd, but you know what? It didn't even come close to the original because the first Woodstock was history being made in a turbulent era. It could never be reproduced.

 The same thing goes for the new  generation of cars. They may try to make them look similar. For example, the 2005 Mustang, the late model Thunderbird, and the PT Cruiser and examples of the popular "retro styling" concept. And yes, they are great looking but they can`t replace the originals. 

 In the past few years, the prices of collector cars has skyrocketed. I think this is because many people who were not around in the ‘50s and ‘60s have had the opportunity to drive or ride in a classic, and found out for themselves what fun it is. 

 Certain models that sold for $5,000 brand new are now bringing ten times that amount and more. Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, and Chrysler muscle cars are bringing top dollar at classic car auctions. I am lucky to still own a few. Two of them I have owned for over twenty years. I know several other car nuts who have done the same. We are happy to own a piece of our youth. I hope to get mine fixed up and to the shows soon. The downside is that it takes a lot of money and time to get the cars back to their original condition but to me, it will be worth every penny. And from a value standpoint it's more like an investment. If you do it right, you cannot lose. 

 I cannot wait for the day when I can go cruising in my hot rod again. It will be like re-living my youth. That is as long as I don't look at myself in the mirror. Some classics can't be restored!