Why do we do this car thing?

As I age I find myself being a bit more self aware and reflecting on my life. With less road ahead of me than behind me, I think its important to stop and look around so you are happy with the direction you are headed. Call it a mid life crisis perhaps, or if not critical in nature itit'st least a mid life assessment. This has brought me to the subject of today's blog entry... what do we do this car thing? For me I think it boils down to two things...one being just a general attraction to the machines and design, but the hotter fire in the furnace admittedly is pure ego. I like it when people look at me, and Im not the most attractive human physically, but when people look at something I am driving, it gives me that "feeling" that I'm attractive, cool, successful, funny, whatever. The more that happens, the more I want. It's an addiction perhaps, at times bordering on the unhealthy, but in reflection it has provided me with a pretty fun and amazing life, as well as provided for my family. When I was a little kid I enjoyed the feeling and attention I got when riding in one of my father's classic cars. Staring out the window of the 34 Packard, sitting on that luxurious seat of a once opulent and exclusive vehicle it made me feel special. I got picked on in school and was dealing with that a bit, so positive attention was something I craved. I had a happy loving home life so there was some stability there, but out in the big world it seemed pretty obvious that having a cool ride was a way to win favor with society. When I was of driving age I started fixing up the cars and motorcyles that hauled me around town. At first it was by neccessity to keep them running but then it was focusing on the cosmetics. I would attend car shows and swap meets and of course consumed the glossy pages of car magazines by the ton. I dreamed of having something cool enough to win a trophy or be seen in a magazine. I just kept at it until it happened. The first glimpse of one of my cars in a small photo in Hot Vws Magazine coverage of an event just set me on fire. The caption even used the word cool in it...so I had it there in print...I was cool, or at least my car was. That small photo started the quest, but the first full feature cemented that I had found something I was good at. I might not be that chiseled handsome face in GQ, but my old VW truck that I wrenched on in my parents driveway made it on the pages of VW Trends...thats the next best thing. It really made me feel good...and for my whole life since I have been addicted to that feeling. Now as I near the 60 year mark in age, I can look back at all the times I have seen a car I've owned in a magazine and realize that I truly have been obsessed with that high. Its happened over 100 times now, which is pretty insane to say, but each and every time it gives me that same external "you are cool" ego fluff nugget to chew on for a bit and keep me going, but I still ask why. In the animal kingdom we see all species exhibit rituals and heirarchy that fuels what they do. The crazy plumage, the exhibition of power and strength, the nest building or skills for hunting and survival, all of that is a part of what makes a being a part of their community as well as satisfying them somehow. Maybe it's finding a mate, or finding a meal, but I think all the creatures out there in this world that have a heartbeat, somehow feel the need to do something beyond just existing. The barking of the dog, the flight of the bird in the wind, even the playful mud splash of a pig, whatever it is...creatures do it because they somehow "need to"...its in them and its gotta come out. Humans show their strength, fluff their plumage and often find food and comfort through their actions as well. The musician plays and feeds their ego with the applause, and if they are good enough they feed their bellies as well. While the ego and attention is a part of the fire that makes this happen, the need to survive is the undercurrent of it all. Once the basics of survival is acheived and maintained, everything else is up for question. Is it OK to go for more? Ive got my mate, and my home, the body is fed and I dont worry about survival on the daily other than looking ahead at aging and eventually dying. I know my time left is less than what I have behind me. The question is what to do with that time and is chasing that "look at me" feedback from the world a worthy thing. Our current world with social media and all of its trappings has turned the ego into a commodity. Everyone has their profile and their own little personal show that they present the world. The need for attention has never been more obvious across humanity than today. It's something I think that feeds something deep within all of us. While I think things have gotten a little out of hand with that in society at the moment, it does help me justify my actions just a little bit. Im not alone in wanting that attention, and I guess I can also take some pride in that the attention that I have received "singing my song" of building cool old cars has also provided positive things for others. Ive taken neglected old junk and turned it into something that makes people stop and look, things that others admire and might have even inspired them in some way. The goofy cars have brought a smile or a laugh, and those that I have made a dollar from have raised a family.

It may have started with a hole in my ego that needed filling, but after nearly 60 years on the planet I can see it is something much greater than that. It's just what us creatures do. We all need some love and attention in this life. Be it the snuggle of a pet, the love of a partner, or the thumbs up as you drive by, its all a positive part of the human experience. So why do us car guys put so much effort into our machines and spend weekends at events around others that do the same? It is simply what we need to do to keep going. Build your car, paint your painting, sing your song, dance your dance, climb your mountain...its one of the best part of being human. Just remember while you are doing it, so is everyone else, everyone is out there filling a void deep within, dont make it deeper by being a dickhead. Spread the love, share your passion and avoid anyone that is pushing the negative.