"Heretical86" (Heretical86)
12/01/2013 at 12:22 • Filed to: None
13
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"Heretical86" (Heretical86)
12/01/2013 at 12:22 • Filed to: None | 13
| 7 |
I grew up in Michigan, not Detroit that everyone knows and either love or hate. I grew up in a town 2 hours north of Detroit, all that town had was a dot on the map, a gas station, 2 schools, and a lot of farm land. I lived in Michigan at a time when we drove cars from 3 manufacturers, and if you don't know what those 3 are, stop reading now as you won't understand.
I was 13 and desperately wanted a Mustang, my favorite car since I was old enough to remember. I worked on my family's farm as an unpaid worker so I didn't have money, nor was there any in my future. My mother was a stay at home mom, and my father was an executive for a consulting firm for the big 3 that had helped in the development of ABS, the SRS airbag, as well as a few other things that I really don't know. On my 14th birthday, a full 2 years before I could drive, my mom and dad took me out to look at a car about an hour and a half away.
It was a 1968 Mustang, 289 v8 with a 2 barrel carburetor, and the ugliest lime gold paint I have ever seen. It was mine, salvage title and all. It was the epitome of my dream car, sure it had a black vinyl roof and a rusting floorboard, but it was mine. I bragged on that car until I could drive, I washed it, tuned the carburetor, tried to fix the floorboard... and couldn't. When I turned 16, I passed my drivers test, got my license and registered my muscle car, that looking back on it was a big piece of crap.
What it also instilled in myself for that time was that "American cars are the best, and if it doesn't have a V8, it sucked." Until I saw a movie with a friend who owned a 96 eclipse. That movie as implied was Fast and Furious. It bonded us closer together in its heinous action, and terrible acting, that all car guys share at least one major thing in common, the love of all things auto.
It didn't matter if it was Japanese, Korean, German, 'Merican, British, or the other various types. We all share an affinity to anything vehicular. Beyond all of that fads we may not like, or things that we do enjoy, there will always be someone out there to share it with. You may love Miatas, wagons, or even Jeeps. We are all bonded by the love of our transportation choices.
I sold that old Mustang when I went to college, I couldn't drive it the 90 minutes to the suburbs of Detroit. I have stayed true to what I have liked, American v8's, by owning Ford trucks and most recently Jeeps. My wife drives a Ford Focus, but all the people I hang out with have their own likes and dislikes but we all can talk about what we like.
With the passing of Paul Walker I am reminded that time is fleeting, and that one day our time on earth will end. While we have that time though, we should not push away what we don't agree with but try to ask and understand why, as gear-heads, someone else likes what they do and try to understand it. Remember street racing is for the movies. Teach that to all, and condone your local track days. Don't put others, or yourself at risk. Also, remember where your brake is, since every part of the fun pedal is the one right next to it to slow down.
Good Luck and drive safe Oppo's! Thanks for reading my novel of a first post and if you didn't make it all the way through, oh well. I enjoyed writing this!
Skif6996
> Heretical86
12/01/2013 at 12:42 |
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That is a spectacular first post my friend. You took a (terrible) current event and showed us all why it matters to us so much. The series apparantly has been trying to show us that we can all get along and you dont have to stick with one thing. It shows that we are not correct for liking one thing or another. Other people are not incorrect for liking other things.
Way to look into this crappy situation and pull out some good.
Welcome to Oppo, pal. I'm sure you'll fit in.
vdub_nut: scooter snob
> Heretical86
12/01/2013 at 13:10 |
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Good read. I remember watch TF&TF with my brother about 60000 times, and it probably is the number 1 reason I got into cars. Even though the cars I always lusted after were exotics (More than I can afford, pal), not tuners. Once I hit high school and actually started driving, I got into the tuner scene, but never had my own car, 'til I bought my Passat after graduation.
Life is fleeting, indeed.
A3R0
> Heretical86
12/01/2013 at 15:25 |
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Great post. Very interesting. Thanks for a new way to look at this. Welcome to Oppo!
desertdog5051
> Heretical86
12/01/2013 at 18:51 |
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You are starting off very good. Great post.
What part of Michigan? I grew up in Grand Rapids and Dan Mosqueda in a suburb of GR. I know there are more, but they are not confirmed.
Now, you get my standard welcome:
You'll be sorrrrry.....This is a land where things are not as they seem and before you realize there is no escape, you are trapped ...This, my friends, is the OPPO ZONE.
Welcome.
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Heretical86
> desertdog5051
12/01/2013 at 22:53 |
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I am from a town outside of Lapeer. Your standard welcome is awesome! Thanks!
Ferrero1911
> Heretical86
12/01/2013 at 23:57 |
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Great first post!
While we have that time though, we should not push away what we don't agree with but try to ask and understand why, as gear-heads, someone else likes what they do and try to understand it.
^ This is what I think Oppo is all about. Everyone is into different things, but we're all into cars.
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desertdog5051
> Heretical86
12/02/2013 at 00:13 |
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I did remember another few "Yowen, not necessarily... and Owen Magnetic and D White powered by caffeine... and Brown Dog Welding are from Michigan. Great to have you on board.