"Hey, LSP, can you help me out? I need to go to Fort Worth today for a procedure and need a driver." It was my EMU friend who's famous for driving a crew of motorcycle hippies out of his stock tank. "Sure, I'd be happy to help out."
Procedure over, we drove back to the country and my friend's barn, "Hey, LSP, have a look at these." Curious, I went through a doorway and there were these cars.
A '40(?) Ford Coupe, a '69 Chevy Camino SS, an '81 Corvette and another Ford Coupe, V8 and hotrod, immaculate. "Don't touch, LSP."
I was amazed and laughed. "Is that a good laugh or a bad laugh, LSP?" It was good, and would it be OK to take some photos? "Sure thing," so I did. Who knew, certainly not me, that here in this Texan barn was a collection of cars, like works of art.
But what was the reason behind the collection, apart from the sheer good of the things in themselves? Why these as opposed to others?
Simple answer. They were the cars of his youth, after he'd left the Forces and two tours in Vietnam. He loved them then and decided to collect them now. I'll leave you to parse this not insignificant art philosophy.
Your Pal,
LSP
12 comments:
Holy carp - those are gorgeous!
Adrienne, I was amazed. I had no idea.
One can only speculate what sits in the barns of America (and Canada).
WSF, it took me by total surprise.
Neat collection, eh?
Some years back I knew a gentleman whose hobby was the 1941 Nash, most being an early example of unibody construction. He had three different models in a specially built garage where he also had a small machine shop. One day he bought an unrestored 4-door sedan. Since that model was NOT unibody, he said it had no collector value. His solution? He converted it to possibly the world's only '41 Nash pickup truck. It sure looked cool. He passed last year at age 96. He had a long run and a good one.
It's important to indulge your passion. Though if I'd been him, I would have driven them for the joy of doing so. In that, it's a lot like firearms collectors. They collect but they do not shoot their firearms. I know that they may be worth more, but there are no hearses with luggage racks, LSP.
Is there a story about the six or so long guns against the wall in #1? Other than it's Texas and that's where they are?
What everyone said. Super nice, especially on the paint. That's not easy to do.
That's a great story, Jim. My friend told me a few pretty much just like it. I replied, "I'll be amazed if I get that far!"
Totally with you, LL. Cars and guns are meant to be used and enjoyed, they're designed for it and if you just stare at them their full value isn't realized. Or something like that.
In fairness to VCC, he does drive the collection from time to time but he's kept it very secret. Maybe that's wise, given some of the characters around and about.
There is, Sgt, though it's homely. The rifles belonged to my friend's brother who died a month or so ago, and they're a mixture of firearms they both shot with as kids growing up and whatever was bought since by the brother.
I knew him and led the funeral. He was a good man, loved hunting and plinking and fishing, and was most down to earth. A foreman pipefitter and welder, as I recall. RIP.
Anyway, the long guns ended up at the barn where they're resting for now.
Curiously, and off topic(ish) my eldest son shot his first bird on that land with one of the pumps. Some years ago...
I was most taken aback, Kid! Had no idea...
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