Tooting My Own Horn

Hi Everyone,

For those of you who don't know, I am the original owner of a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport CL. It has 33 out of 38 options and is still a dream to drive, just like when it was new. But what my car is not, is a muscle car. It was built for high gas mileage and luxury. Through all of the last 28 years, I have somehow managed to keep the car in excellent condition. Actually it is in show condition and going to car shows is what I do with the car. FYI, it has not been a daily driver for over 11 years.

I have been showing the car for 15 years, long before you stopped seeing them on the road. Now when I show it, there are always people who come over to talk to me about my car. Almost all the people either had a similar car or knew someone who did. People tell me that when they go to car shows they expect to see, mustangs, vettes, 57 chevys, camaros, road runners, chargers and cudas, etc., etc., but they never expect to see a celebrity. They all rave about what a great car it was and what a surprise to see one in such great condition at a car show. But it is when they learn how many miles are on it that they are really surprised. My car has over 300,000 miles on it and it still looks almost new. When I talk to other car owners, it is not unusual for classic cars to change hands 3,4,5 or more times since it was new. So if the car was already in show condition, the new owners are just maintaining what prior owners did to the car. But I have taken care of this car for 28 years and have kept it show condition. People can and do really appreciate that fact.

For all the years I have been attending car shows, I never expect to win to any trophies for multiple reasons: it is a 1986, it is a celebrity and it has 300,000 miles. All those are strikes against me for winning anything. For the past 5 years or so, the newest form of collecting cars is what is called a survivor car. It will have original paint, rust is common and it runs. My car is not a survivor car since it was repainted, (due to a GM recall) when it was 6 years old. So I always joke with people that they should give trophies for highest mileage / best looking car. But of course, there is no such award.

Last night, my wife and I attended a local car show. There were approximately 50 or so cars there. Most of the cars were from the 60's and 70's and there were only 2 cars from the 80's. When the trophies were being awarded there was a Judge's favorite 4 cars category. The Judge named the first 3 favorite cars and they were the usual type of winning cars. Then the 4th car number was called. Both my wife and the car owner next to me told me that I had won. The first thing I did was check my number to make sure and sure enough, I had won. I was stunned, excited and couldn't believe it. The Judge was highly impressed on how well an original owner had taken care of a 28 year old car with over 300,000 miles on it.

Although I know I will never win best of show, I used to say that I owned a classic car but now I can honestly say that I own a classic trophy car. Now my ego isn't so big that the trophy will sit on our mantle. But that trophy will always be with the car when I go to other shows.

My horn has been tooted.

Til next week.

Peter