Friday, April 30, 2010

The Car Guy Gets Watches Too...


A few weeks of the said blog- and though it's gotten a little story-oriented these last few days- lets get back to business... Let's talk watches.

Watches are big. If you're into accessorizing, if you're into mechanics, art and have a passion for design- you can't but help getting into watches.

The wristwatch business has boomed in the last five years. Every month- you can't pick-up magazine like GQ, Esquire or similar and not read at least a page on the latest horological gems and trends from around the world.

Forget men's magazines or fashions- there are dozens of watch inspired magazines published worldwide- highlighting the latest trends. It's big business.

Horology is the study of time, the study of how its measured; the art or science of how its measured. Getting into wristwatches would make you a horologist, of sorts.

Don't worry- it's not as slutty as it sounds.. (Get it, "whore-ology..., okay, okay bad joke- a girl once asked me what horology was- she didn't get it either, thought I was "getting nasty" and we never spoke again... )

So while most people wear just one wristwatch- if you're a horologist or just a person who appreciates accessories and fashion- it's hard to own just one watch.

The Car Guy Gets It has prepared a simple primer that every man/woman worth their wrists should read. Can't have just one wristwatch? Here are seven types that you must have- seven, a holy number... and one for every day of the week, if you insist.

1.) Something Quartz- while many purists are choking as they read this- yes- something quartz. While its not the sexiest of technologies or art forms- quartz has its place on the horologist's wrists.

Whether its the Victorinox Swiss Army watch you got when you were thirteen, a vintage Rolex Oysterquartz you bought because they stopped making them (everyone thinks a Rolex that tick's is a fake...) or a colorful Swatch your aunt gave you in 1987- their versatility- their ruggedness and their accuracy make them winners.

Perfect for Sundays or after work when you're playing, knocking-around- or just something to wear at bedtime- quartz wristwatches are always ready to wear and enjoy- unless, of course, they need a battery.

Quartz wristwatches keep time far better than even the best mechanical certified chronometer timepieces, they're relatively cheaper and its comforting to know- you'll always have the time spot-on, or damn-well-close-to-it if you put it down for more than a couple of days. Quartz.

2.) A Casio- whether its a retro calculator "data bank" watch or a throw-back, re-issue G-Shock, complete with solar power and atomic accuracy- or something more novel like a watch that calculates speed, distance, calories and the duration of a workout, you can't go wrong with these drugstore bought marvels.

Water resistant, shock resistant and as cold as the silicon and rubber they're made of- they're the best. If they break- just throw them away- and buy another. Because really- it's just a watch after all.

3.) A Stainless Steel Rolex- (Okay- first a quartz, then a Casio- now he's getting warmer you're thinking, right?) Yes, they're that good. Ask any horologist- anyone who knows anything about anything- a Rolex is a great watch. Ask the flake on the street- even if they don't know anything about anything- they know what a Rolex is. Or at least a copy of one.

For over a hundred years- if there was any single maker of timepieces that has become synonymous with wristwatches, their recognition, their quality and their innovation- it's Rolex.

And the models offered in stainless steel or Steelinox as Rolex calls it- either in vintage 316 or more modern 904L grades- you're getting the best watch, pound-per-pound, dollar for dollar in a stainless steel Rolex- and relax- they don't get any cheaper than stainless steel- about $5,000 new, give or take a few grand either way.

There's a huge secondary market for used Rolex timepieces. They're a commodity, they're the standard. They go well with most everything- dress or casual and arguably they can and will last a lifetime if cared for. If you need cash in a hurry- most anyone in any country around the world will gladly take one in barter. Its a universal currency if there ever was one.

They used to say "The Destinies of The World Are Shaped by Men Who Wear Rolex Watches." Or is it "Men Who Guide The Destinies of the World Wear a Rolex?" One word, one watch- Rolex. Pick one up and find out for yourself why.

4.) Something Flashy- Well, if a Rolex isn't considered flashy enough- get a flashy watch, or maybe a flashier Rolex? Something that catches the eye- if not yours, perhaps the eyes of someone else. Who know? In the right circles- it may even get you laid or picked-up...

Something in gold, either solid or plated, maybe even two-tone- in steel and gold. Maybe some diamonds too. Get something to wear when you go on a bender in Atlantic City or Vegas. Get a watch to wear while playing poker- or betting on a horse. Something to wear while doing something a little shady late at night, or early in the morning.

Get a watch that only looks good while sipping frosty beverages by a pool in a sub-tropic island- just don't wear it to work or at a setting where impressions really matter.

Unless you're "that guy..." Most others just want to wear his watch from time-t0-time.

5.) Something on a Strap- Lets tone-it-down a notch and get classy for a split second. Get a watch that's worn on a leather, or similar strap. Maybe even something thin and elegant- something conservative- something that goes with the white dinner coat.

The finest watches money can buy- most of them only come on straps and you don't know what they are. That's the point.

Go stealth- strap it... And move on with your life... Either simple and elegant, or overly complicated and ornate. Strap it down a bit.

6.) A Halo Watch- What's a halo watch? Many collectors and horologists equate it to something they've always wanted. Or something they've always aspired to. Get a watch that shows not only what you've acheived but maybe who you want to be- or where you want to go.

Do you like racing? Buy a racing-inspired chronograph, like a Rolex Daytona or an Omega Schumacher Edition Speedmaster. Does spaceflight and aviation strike your fancy? Buy a Breitling, a Rolex GMT Master- or look to the moon and spaceflight with an Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch.

Maybe you've always liked James Bond 007- or have read Clive Cussler novels- and fancy yourself a bona fide Dirk Pitt- get something bright and sporty like a Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster or an orange-faced Doxa diver.

Get something with some flashy color or instrumental purpose- even if it doesn't go well with what you're wearing.

And finally and most importantly...

7.) Something Inherited or Gifted- Wear a watch that was given to you by your father, your grandfather or maybe that special uncle who loved you like a son/daughter. Maybe your aunt gave you a neat watch for your high school graduation- or maybe you wear a watch that resembles ones you remember seeing men and women wearing when you were younger- but wear something older than you, something vintage, something that means, well... something more than the time.

It doesn't have to be expensive- some of the best vintage wristwatches are virtually worthless but their sentiments go beyond value- it's about memories- not the expense or the time.

Watches are personal, they live a life of their own while beating alongside your life, merely strapped to your wrist.

And never, ever, accept or wear a watch from a person you don't at least like or admire. That's my own personal rule- at any price, style, or reference.

Build on these seven basic varieties- and you can call yourself a watch enthusiast. A horologist, "if you're nasty..."

Thursday, April 29, 2010

I Think I Did The Kid a Favor...

So- last installment on my Turbodiesel coupe saga- and it's history- I'll be on to another car, infatuation, story, blog post, or poor excuse as time rolls on... But I just have to marvel how infatuated the young man was- buying his first car with his father... This Turbodiesel coupe that was older than he was...

But the father wanted him in something strong- something that wouldn't get away from him and potentially hurt him.

When I got to the car- he had already taken ownership of it... Talking to me like I didn't know the car... What do I know? That's a good question.

I know a lot- and I shared with him (and the father) some pearls. But, you do learn something new everyday- and as strong as the Turbodiesels are (wreck a W123- and you'll appreciate the car around you... it's a domestic tank for lack of better words...) the father had brought something to light that I would have no way of knowing...

The father worked in movies- not as an actor but as a set and scene coordinator and one of his assignments was for the movie I Am Legend- the Will Smith movie about the end of the world... Anyway, his assignments included tearing apart cars with torches- one of the set cars was a vintage W123 and wouldn't you know... They had a hard time tearing it apart.

You know you're dealing with a good car when you can't even cut it apart- but that's not mythical- it's by design. All Mercedes-Benzes of this era were over-engineered, head-and-shoulders above most anything on the road.

The problem Mercedes-Benz is having now is- most everything else isn't that much different (for better or worse) than that what they're building now; but 30 years ago, literally, nothing, not even a BMW came close to the engineering and quality that you got with a Mercedes-Benz. But anyway... They're still arguably the best new cars on four wheels- even though everyone rags on them...

The kid was taken by the car... I knew I could have had this car- we had the "in," but I thought fast and hard- and this wasn't for me. Not now... Not knowing what I know. Besides, if I'm going to put any money into an old car- it's going to be the one sitting in my driveway now- she needs- she always needs something... (More like I'd like her to have... like better paint or chrome...) But with a vintage Mercedes it's never a matter of needs now, but rather- it will eventually need... In 5, 10, 15 years... They run broken beautifully.

And that's what I told the father and son. When I bought my car, I was in college. The guy who sold it to me, a mechanic, said "it'll get you through school..." as it sat it would- but after my father and I were done with it that summer- I had a car... One that has lasted over a decade.
But that's just a tip of the iceberg.

I warned them- if you want it right- it'll cost you... And it will. But this kid was hungry for it.

I looked at the car for a friend for her- she needs transportation. I looked at it for myself out of a mild fantasy.

The young man was looking at it out of obsession.

I asked him if he had ever seen Christine? But of course he had... In fact, he was beginning to look a lot like Arnie if I had ever met him.

Everyone needs that. Especially at his age. Obsession. If I had to do it all over again- I only wish I were younger- when everything is a big deal.

The older you get- the less magical and the more practical things become.

I told him- it's rusty, it leaks, water gets in... It's drafty and it's slow at times... It's bad in the snow. But it's a great car. Buy it.

I'll always have my Turbodiesel. It's only fair that this young man get his... He had that look... He was gone.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Insane Reality of It All...


So, yesterday, I'm on my way to have a look at a friend of a friend's totally original, 25-year-old Mercedes coupe. It's for a friend of mine, or me... Do I need such a thing in my life at this time? Hell no, do I want such a thing in my life? Well, for a real car guy, yes- even the one that "gets it," I just had to "have it..."

The 20-minute car ride to go and see it- and I'm running through over a decade of Turbodiesel experience. What to look out for, what to check. There are little nuances, little things that could point to a big (or a bigger) problem- if not today or tomorrow- maybe 10 years down the road.

I better think clearly, I better think fast. Gee, I hope I remembered everything. But how could I forget? Having owned my Turbodiesel sedan for, roughly, 140,000 miles or so (it's hard to tell how many miles really- the odometer sticks in the hot weather) I've seen and lived through the good, the bad and the really ugly. Did I also mention, the expensive? Or, the really expensive?

Driving a car with the better part of a quarter-million miles on the clock does not go without it's snags along the way. But ask any vintage Mercedes-Benz guy- and they'll attest- there's nothing more expensive than an inexpensive Mercedes-Benz.
But really, what am I doing? What am I going to do with three cars? Well, I have the room... I could get away with it- but I have a hard enough time driving two cars in rotation as it sits. Will this coupe simply be- "the Mercedes I drive when I'm not driving my Mercedes sedan?" Maybe.

We pull up to the faded Astrial Silver coupe, and sure as Christmas on the 25th, there were people looking at it. A father/son duo- and the coupe's owner's daughter-in-law. I looked at my friend, "looks like we're gonna have competition..."

After about 30 seconds, I knew this wasn't the car for my friend, nor for me. It was rough, but original. Everything was straight, but old and in need of attention.

The paint was shot, the rubber dry and original. Water leaks, everything leaked... But that's somewhat to be expected.

Original owner, the guy got old but as he got older, so did the car. He kept it outside during the last five years, and gave it to some independent mechanic on Staten Island, after he had stopped going to Ray Catena for 20 years.

At 143,000- this coupe was just at the point where they, most Turbodiesels, if you want to drive and enjoy them- get expensive.

They need motor mounts, head gaskets, maybe timing chains... Bushings, struts, maybe tires too. The water pumps may need replacing, the hoses... the belts... Glowplugs.

Let's not even get into the cosmetics or things that you may want to do.

Everything worked- or tried to work- being the car was sitting- this car needed a shake-out drive to "wake-it-up" a bit. An old man drove it- while that may bode well for the small stuff- these cars need to be driven often and hard.
I didn't bother driving it. This was not a car I'm willing to deal with at this point- and it's not a car for my friend who needs a real car, not a hobby.

I've asked for it and have gotten it... The Car Guy Gets It has gone down this road several times- and it's a road I don't care to go down right now.
They say insane is "doing the same thing over and over again, only to expect a different results..." or something like that.

Although this had two-less doors, and was a lot more desirable, I just knew- the reality of it is- I've scratched this itch before.

The young man and his father, however- they were asking for it. And I was just the man to sell it to them.

More later...

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Strange Days Indeed... Life Imitating Art & That Crazy Look In His Eyes...


Okay- no excuses- I know, but if I had to give you something today, it would be, well, an excuse.

I haven't written in over day. Not because life hasn't been interesting and I have nothing to share- but rather- I've just been busy. Very busy.
In a day that starts at 5AM and is just going to end in about 10 minutes or so (or however long it take me to write something), well, I can't help buy marvel how life sometimes imitates art.

Busy day, computer work, gym, breakfast, chores, had a meeting... Had some more work to do, then Staples, then went to look at cars... then back home, and looked at yet another car for a friend (more on that one below...). Then back to a meeting/dinner with an associate and more computer/camera work to do. Must have driven 200 miles today- no shit.

But the absolute highlight of my day (besides seeing an old car-biz buddy of mine), was meeting a young seventeen year-old boy, who had just gotten his license and was shopping for his first new car.

Not just any car, mind you, a W123 Mercedes-Benz 300CD Turbodiesel- an '85, a car that I actually stumbled across last night coming back from burger night with the boys...

Okay- let's back-up a second.

Last night, as I do most every Monday night- I head-out with a few friends for half-priced burger night in Red Bank.

On the way back home, my eyes caught an Astrial Silver, vintage Mercedes coupe- of course, I snapped my neck to look it over as I passed by... The car looked straight... I knew I had to find out more. But it was raining... Maybe tomorrow, if I have time.

In an ironic twist of fate (is it ever really fate?) my friend who I'm helping get a new/used car had gotten a call about a used car, a friend was selling.

Diesel Mercedes, original owner, guy's in his 80's, bought the car brand-new 25 years ago- 150,000 miles, all original.

Now, she's telling me this- and I automatically know what car it is... It's the coupe I saw last night- has to be.

Well, it was. And my friend was saying how the family would like to help her out- and sell her the car for cheap. Real cheap. And she's interested in it... Hell, if I have anything to do with it- she's interested in it!

Now, you may not know this- probably my number-one passion in life is my old, vintage W123 Mercedes-Benz. If I love one thing, it's that car.

That car, is perhaps my best and oldest friend in the whole world. As shallow as that may sound- we've been everywhere and through everything together- for better or worse.

I've often thought it like a muse most times- an obsession, like Christine; maybe a bit of a curse; to be quite honest- the last 11 years that I've had her; well, maybe weren't the best years of my life to date- but that's not entirely the car's fault.

It's just seen and done everything and through thick and thin- I've held on to her- much to everyone's chagrin.

People resent her (the car); it's not valuable or anything- but I think a lot of car people hate what it represents. They hate that I still have it, spend money on it... They'd like something to happen to it. It's just the impression that I get. Mechanics, service writers, old girlfriends, neighbors- all at one time or another disliked her. It was competition. A reminder of how mortal you are- yet- this car is surviving- my life anyway.

Maybe they knew... I liked the car better than them.

So, my friend tells me of this cheap W123 coupe and all I could think is... "I'm buying it... I don't care... I'm f'n buying it." (Wouldn't have been the first stupid car thing I've done...)

The '85 300CD coupe is the halo, the holy grail of Turbodiesel ownership. The last of it's kind, it was a rare combination of hand-crafted beauty, utilitarian diesel engineering; and, despite what you think you know of performance- the car's quite the stunner. I'll put it to you this way (kindly)- you may catch it- but you'll have a hard time keeping up with it... Even today.

When it was state-of-the-art circa the late 70's, early 80's, they were hailed as the best sports sedans of their kind. Road & Track claimed it had the best suspension in the world- a suspension so advanced, even the seat cushion springs are matched to the spring-rates of the suspension itself.

Comfortable, fast, nimble, built like a tank, and it'll last forever. And the pillar-less coupe version is rare- we're talking only a few thousand to the sedan and wagon's numbers, which range in the several hundred thousand... Literally, a fraction of Turbodiesels are the coupe version- and it was only made for North America.

Now, I have a very foolish, selfish plan to have one of each- a sedan (the one I have now) a wagon (I'd like to buy my friend's old car...) and now I'm thinking... this coupe.

I don't have shit- but I'll tell you this much- if I had this car, I'd be happy. And to most anyone, being happy is having everything.

So, we went to look at the car- my rational was true- if I like the car- tell my friend to buy it... If she hated the thing... I'd buy it.

I wasn't letting this opportunity pass me by. I better be careful what I call an "opportunity..."

(Part II tomorrow... I promise... )

Monday, April 26, 2010

Finding My Nook- My Impressions on Barnes & Noble's Nook...

A favorite pastime of mine (and you can tell by now, I'm quite the Jet-Setter, so, this pastime can be anything, anywhere and with anyone...) is going to Barnes & Noble (B&N).

Today, it was with Theresa to shop for cheap used cars while we enjoyed free WiFi courtesy of the cafe...

You gotta love the B&N business model- let your customers loiter- and invariably, when they do buy something- they'll get banged- out in the store- regardless of price... I mean, if I need a gift, I go to B&N.

When I walked-in, they had a display with the new digital reader, the Nook. And let me say this- I was impressed with its quality- its look, its feel. Or its heir of both- I really don't know- I haven't tried it or played with it yet.

It looked like it was made and packaged by those masters at Apple- who, in my opinion make the best electronic baubles known to man. I mean, look at the success of the iPod and iPhone... And the Nook was white too...

But what really floored me- but it didn't surprise me- are the accessories for the Nook- again, very Apple-like. White and translucent plastic packaging. Soft, muted colors. Designer names. Did I mention it was white?

Now, I'll attest- if you really want to define cool and "go Jack Kerouac on everyone's ass" (a favorite movie quote of mine...Step Brothers.) nothing is cooler than a Moleskine notebook and a vintage fountain pen.

You do like you've done a thousand years before you and you write things, read things... On paper. Gee, what a concept. (For the record, as a professional writer- I've never written on paper and I can't write with a fountain pen, I'm a lefty...)

But the Nook, I'm finding, is finding it's nook- I like it better than the Kindle; it just seems more better put-together, if that sounds better?

Then again, to be honest, I haven't seen the newer Kindle- but... This Nook has accessories... The kind that drives consumers crazy.

Designer accessories.

Little slip covers, that turn your Nook into, like a book, with designer-inspired covers by the likes of Kate and Jack Spade... Or you can go the bubble gum crowd and swath it in bright colors to match your mood.


Again, I've attested before, I'm not gay- but... I know sales. I know merchandising and give a person an opportunity to stand-out- they'll go hog wild. Anything to be different.

Anything to spend money and differentiate.

Shit- some of these slips resemble the vintage, distressed jeans people buy for hundreds of dollars at the mall.

What's really cool- some of these covers even resemble Moleskine notebooks (the cool kind with those elastic bands to hold them together?- the very kind my friend Theresa uses...) do you think that was an accident?

I don't think it was. Everyone, even if they don't know it- is trying to throwback to the days of romance, classicism, literacy... Jack Kerouac.

Maybe I should start reading his stuff- I hear it's good... and it's supposed to be cool.

PS- You'd be surprised how illiterate I really am...

Sunday, April 25, 2010

One More Sunday Morning Thought... Then I Gotta Get to The Gym! Something...

Alright- one more life lesson and I'm done for a little while... Maybe a few hours anyway.

I came across another article on Yahoo! (can you tell I read a lot of Yahoo!?) about how If You Don't Lose Weight, Your Finances Will.

Interesting take on the economics of being in thinner, better shape.

I recently lost my job and in the weeks leading to the said departure- things had wound-down completely- and I had lots of time to bullshit with my soon-to-be-departed co-workers. Some, I'll attest are "friends," though- in the work setting- the term "friends" becomes the seven-letter f-word if there ever was one.

A lot of these people I had known for years, a decade- and I knew them when they were younger, and thinner. Myself, maybe included too.

One friend, an old manager/boss- had a daily case of verbal diarrhea. If you so-much as stopped by his desk, and it was hard not to- the Bloomberg machine was on his desk... he's give you his daily pearl of wisdom... For better or worse.

Sometimes the shit he had to say was amusing, often times- you had to try to figure it out, or swear that you weren't going to talk to the guy ever again. Doing so was not only insulting- but it could get you fired...

Anyway- he told me "you need to lose some weight... you're going to be looking for a job and people don't want to hire overweight people... lose ten pounds. (So and So..) is out of work over a year- he can't find a job- nobody wants to hire him- he's too fat to fit in the chairs...." And went along his business- which like the Man With the Yellow Hat involves a lot of monkey business...

(Now- do I need to lose weight?- that's subjective. Do I want to lose weight?- that's well, (an) objective.. I mean, I try... I try more than my mentioned "friend;" so, I was a little put-off by the advice. And just weeks prior- had had complimented me how, pending losing my job, I was "looking good physically to meet new employers," but whatever... this guy is truly sick...)

But it's true- in the twisted, biased, twisted (did I mention twisted?) world in which we live, and work- I've found that tall and skinny does better than short and not as skinny- or not as good-looking- as subjective and relative as that may be!?

Economics, health aside- my experiences in corporate America (and they've been horrible, trust me) have seen the tall and beautiful grab the brass ring easier than the norm. I mean, they can reach farther, better; they're taller, right? And people (some under-sexed types anyway) want them around the room, or desk, or corner office- or wherever you work- if just for ornamentation.

I love AMC's Mad Men- and this one episode finds my hero, Don Draper, in Palm Springs- with a cocky, nomadic group of European jet-setters (think '60's beatniks with lots of money instead of coffee) that offer Don to join them in their lair of luxury because, to quote the father "he's good looking" and "he doesn't say much."

(Watch below... this clip was taken from the episode- and The Car Guy Gets It will have you note- the improper use of the W113 230 SL Pagota- this is a car that didn't debut for at least another year of when this show is taking place- 1962.)

My "friend," as twisted as his advice was, well I can almost understand it. His boss, (my boss too) led a department of bullshit in a way that was 1) biased 2) a relic of another time 3) mismanaged. So mismanaged that he lost his job- that everyone (in my circle of "friends") knows it and why and 4) his days are over as he once knew them. Serves him right. He was into a lot of things- being good looking and not saying much one of them.

So- being biased towards tall, skinny, beautiful, white, black, purple, or whatever is deemed "ideal"- is counterproductive in the workplace- plain and simple.

My old boss- while he succeeded in trying to screw most everyone, wound-up screwing himself- looking out for "little head number one," and chopping "big head number two" in the process...

"Nothing lasts forever," looks, size, power, job, whatever.

Which is all the more reason to hit the gym... and ornamentation (ugly, pretty, skinny or fat) only goes so far.

This Could Be Interesting... Get Rid of Old Electronics, Save Clutter, Be Green & Maybe Get Some (Green) In Return?

Okay- it's Sunday morning and I'm feeling antsy. I sometimes wake-up and say to myself- "how did I get all this crap?"

No, I don't live like those people you see on American Pickers, or Hoarders (or whatever they call that show...) but every year I feel I'm a few square-feet more closer to becoming one.

I'm talking about clutter- the crap you amass without even knowing it. Sure, you can claim you're a "collector," but how often times are you really? Just what is it are you collecting?

I think it's more about what you're holding-on to...

Not to get too personal here- but I have a few friends who are hoarders. They're a product of their upbringing, their environment. More often-times-than-not, they've suffered a tragic or traumatic experience that has led them to saving every, and I mean every little thing, bauble, trinket... piece of paper, you name it- they have it.

You get the idea. It's a disease, plain and simple.

But what to do with all this shit isn't always and plain nor simple- something has to be done, right?

So when I read this article on Yahoo! (part of their "living green" section) it got me thinking- I should be thinning out.

Yeah, they claim there are companies buying old electronics- but really- how old are we talking here?

Sure, they may want to buy my now going on three-year-old iPhone, but do they want the Sanyo "brick" (in mass and size) I had as my first cell phone, in 1999?

Or, what about the Sanyo "Snickers Bar" as it was often referred to as- the phone that replaced the aforementioned "brick."

What about my collection of Motorola StarTacs- their chargers- and all the leatherette accessories that went with them.

(God, what were we thinking?- I guess what they can't give you money for- you're better-off just recycling it and being "green" anyway.)

They may want a crack at my collection of used Apple iPods- I have many... I even have the very first one- but stupid me threw-out the original box and papers when I was cleaning out my parent's basement.

Somethings, I'm convinced, will be worth money to someone one day- but to hold-on to that something till someday never comes is plain stupid. If you're into it, fine... If you're not- get rid of it!

So, unless you're a "collector," (and be sure you know what it is you're collecting) get it out of the house! And unless your successors also have a knowledge and passion for what it is you have- that value you're seeking to preserve is going to be cleaned-out at wholesale prices to others who will be reaping the rewards when you go.

Which leads me to my last collector hint- make sure you have a close loved one with the time and knowledge (and passion) for getting you out of your crap when you're no longer with us... It's criminal what I've seen in the collector world, what some of these dealers (be it antiques, jewelery, watches... collectibles, whatever...) offer the successors of diseased loved ones who don't know any better.

To them, it's a business and it's just stuff. To me, it's predatory. Knowledge is key here- if you're a collector- set-up a will, set-up instructions, trust somebody to liquidate your estate who has your survivors in mind.

Some last final pearls here- buy a filing cabinet- put your important documents in them. Throw-out most everything else- especially junk mail with coupons or offers for crap you never buy- out. Never think your life is going to change because you're holding on to some crap piece of paper.

Set-up for online billing and pay. Throw-out old magazines- you're never going to read or look at again... (I too am guilty of this...) An old professor of mine used to read magazines and literally rip-out the pages as he read them- according to him "why do I need them? I already read them..."

It is just stuff- and sometimes- you think you're saving something but really- you're better-off just not holding on to it. You just have to let it go and hope to reward yourself with less- and more free space to maybe dance around or worry about.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Only Thing Harder to Find Than a Good Used Car... Is a Good Friend


I met Theresa at the local Borders for tea last night, as we do a few times a week. Her faded wagon in the parking lot... While we enjoyed tea and good discussion she reminded me- "we don't have much time."

"Time for what?" as I sipped the cup, knowing full-well what she was talking about- yet still not able to comprehend, rather accept, the situation (nor wanting to).

"In three weeks time, I need a new car... something cheap, and something that will last me at least two years. I can spend $3,500 tops..." Theresa pleaded to me. Neither she or I were particularly happy about the situation- and who could blame us?

And $3,500 is not a lot of money to spend on something with the words "good," "cheap," and "reliable" all in the same sentence.

She already had a good, inexpensive and reliable car, the wagon- so what gives? We both knew we had our work cut-out for us, emotions aside.

Theresa and I have become great friends under a unusual set of circumstances. Now we're in a situation where literally, two 31 year-olds, a man and a woman, are trying to hold-on to a 31 year-old car of all things- but it's not just any car. This is George's car- a vintage Mercedes-Benz station wagon- good, honest, inexpensive transportation... And the only heirloom of a great man.

It's better than anything we'll find on any lot for the money and it's ours, it's Theresa's; yet last night she was handing me the keys to drive- and we set-off looking for used cars.

This, was going to be hard... This... was killing me.

...

I was at George's desk when he bought her, the faded and Diamond Blue 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD wagon- taken in-trade from the original owners- an elderly couple in their 90s- no pets, no children... Just more money than sense, than they knew what to do with...

George sold them what would surely be their last car- a Pewter Silver wagon with 4Matic. (Pewter Silver was THE color in 2005- I think 7 out of 10 Mercedes-Benzes were painted that God-awful color- it was like a tinted, more like a tainted silver- that didn't know if it wanted to be brown or graphite...)

"What are you going to do with her?" I winced at George, as I sat at his desk.

"I'm gonna buy it, keep it as an extra car... you never know when you're gonna need a car like that..." George said proudly as he stretched his neck out of his collar... adjusting his tie as he had the habit of doing. "It'll be a good extra car to have around..."

"I know, but it's not even a Turbodiesel... It's gonna be a pig... and it needs paint." I said in a friendly way as if to say "you could do better..."

"Nah, it'll be fine- I'll put some alloys on it- make it handle a little better... It'll be a great race car..." George was always the optimist.

George ran local running events for the New Jersey Road Runners Club, and was a founder of the New Jersey Marathon among other things... He loved to run and organize races.

"And you gotta see the interior- they had no kids, no pets- It's like brand-new... I don't think the rear seats have even been sat in..."

Clean she was, despite minor body issues and faded paint on the hood and roof- the wagon was looking good for a '79- all original down to the 13-inch steel wheels with matching silvery-blue hubcaps. Very straight and clean... pretty dry too- rare for a W123 that was, then, over a quarter-century old.

That was the summer of 2005.

...

The middle of December, 2009 found me sitting at George's desk- as I did quite often- but this time it wasn't out of circumstances or work related- George and I were friends above everything- he knew me, quite literally, since I was just a kid- either eleven or twelve; we'd chat when I would visit, or I'd sit and wait at his desk when my Turbodiesel sedan was in for service across the street.

Catching up on life and whatnot- George was excited. Excited was a good way to describe George. Positive and compassionate was another- George was a lot of things to a lot of people that knew him. He even had his own charity called Bosco's Buddies- a Hepatitis C awareness organization that raised money through running and different sponsored events. Amazing person.

George was excited to be welcoming Theresa, a friend of his from Germany coming to stay with him permanently, for good.

"She's going to live with me... take care of me... and she's going to live here..." George said with a faint smile and a beam in his eye.

"She's going to what?" I blurted (as if to say "What are you going to do with her?"- like I did the old wagon years prior...)

"She's great, she's like a daughter to me, and she's a nurse- and she's going to take care of me... cook for me, I can't wait... She's around your age... She's moving back to the States, you should meet her, she'll need friends her own age once she gets here... and I'm going to give her my old wagon..."

Don't quote me- but along these lines, this is how I remember the conversation.

...

Eight weeks later- George passed away with Theresa, his caretaker and daughter-like-figure by his side.
...

Fast forward a few months and Theresa and I have become quite close and I'm proud to call her a true friend. We have lots in common, enjoy doing the same things- and in our own unique ways- compliment each other quite nicely despite being totally different from opposite ends of the globe. She's a terrific person in a world that is largely, well, horrific.

She's a rare, old soul in the truest sense and I'm lucky to know her. I care a lot about her and look out for her always. George, who loved bringing people together, has brought us together; even after George could no longer be among us...

So when Theresa came to me with a car problem... Lets just say, I was happy; yet a little heartbroken to help.
...

George gave Theresa his '79 Mercedes wagon... It was now Theresa's car, but he never thought to officially sign-over the title. He just ran out of time. Theresa has been paying the insurance on it, and needs the car to get to get around. It's her only transportation as she's trying, quite diligently, to get-up on her own two-feet.

(Despite being as old as both Theresa and myself- the old wagon is surprisingly still quite practical...)

There was also no official will set-in-place, and the estate is insolvent at the moment- largely due to a family unwilling to take responsibility and action on any accord.

The old wagon is the only thing of material value left in the estate. And what's it worth? Well, that's a tough question for even The Car Guy Gets It... The numbers vary, depending on who you ask- but as the car sits- the value isn't worth a quibble. A few dollars, here or there. That's it.

It's worth more to Theresa than anyone else.

But the State may be getting involved with regards to the estate- and... you guessed it- the old Mercedes-Benz wagon is, ironically... The Estate. It was, technically, George's only material possession (in title anyway) at the time of his death.

After helping, getting lawyers involved and researching most anything we can do about the car- the only viable solution at the moment is to park the car- let the State handle what they have to... And in the meantime- Theresa needs a good, but cheap used car...

Good and cheap... That's the catch. At the budget we have in mind- that can be the most expensive bet in the car business.
...

Last night I drove the wagon, with Theresa in the passenger seat and the manual sunroof open- (which I showed her how to work). We had a lovely time.

Though not a sprinter, the normally-aspired diesel wagon was quite enjoyable, lively, even more linear in performance than its Turbodiesel successor (my car). It plodded along quite nicely- this one was surprisingly still very tight and nimble for its age... I was amazed how good the steering felt, though the recirculating ball steering box is perhaps the biggest Achilles Heal of any W123 generation Mercedes-Benz- mine own especially.

My Turbodiesel sedan felt drunk, light and unruly (however much, much faster) compared to George's wagon. Though surely much slower, the wagon didn't seem to care much, and if you know what you're doing on the road- as I've known for the decades I've known these cars- if you play your game of chess right- you can't beat them as drivers.

You just have to know how to drive them- understand their limitations, and once you get passed them- they don't disappoint, even at 88 horsepower.

George's wagon surprised me. It felt so, so nice. Most everything, except the air conditioning (another Achilles Heal in any older Mercedes) worked well. The interior still felt and looked like new- even better than my own car- which is six years the newer- and I have, what a lot of people would consider a "nice" W123.

George's car was very nice, but maybe it was the company, or the night... Or George, who, if I knew him, was sitting, watching over us in the backseat- which, for the record, still look to have never been sat in.
...

At the end of the night, after some shopping, dinner, and hours of conversation- we sat in the wagon, idling away as all diesels love to do.

We were both sick to our stomachs, at least I was, at a loss for what to say. How ironic everything was panning out. Here we were- looking for cheap used cars, when quite literally, we were driving in one ourselves- and we can't do anything about it. Not for all the money in the world.

I don't want to let this car go. Old cars like this have a strange way of talking to me and this one, I know, wasn't going to let Theresa down. This was the best, perfect used car at any price. Practical and sentimental. I vowed to Theresa- even if she gets another car, and we're finally able to buy the wagon from the estate- I'm going to make sure she gets it.

I'll buy it and give it to her. Just like George would have done if he were still alive.

When we hugged goodbye for the night- it dawned on me- the only thing harder than finding a good used car is... finding a good, true friend.

Friendship. It's about the only thing I can really seek comfort in knowing, at any price; and perhaps the truest legacy most anyone could ever hope to leave behind.



The Car Guy Gets It- But He's Not Buying It

I love being an American... For better or worse- it's the only way to be.

Being a Patriot- I support the American car industry and the American way too. Okay- how well do I support it? Evidently not well enough- I have two cars- one's German, the other Japanese- but it's made in Indiana- and it doesn't get any more American than that.

Shit, I sold American cars- which entitles me say I support it- even if I'm not buying it.

While I want to believe it- I really can't- The Associated Press GfK Poll came out yesterday, and while I read it- I wasn't buying it.

(Evidently I'm not buying American either... There- I'll admit it again...)

Okay- it doesn't take an MBA to know- don't read everything, and certainly don't believe everything that you read. So what- a poll- poll a bunch of ants and they'll indicate to eat shit- doesn't make it right.

With polling- there's a sample- and to be quite honest- you don't know how reliable the sample is... And believe me- if they want to skew the figures to read one way or the other- they will- that's the media, that's sales, and that very-well-be America.

So, while I think America makes a decent car depending on where you look- I don't think people are more totally sold on them, more than the Asian imports.

Sure, Toyota's woes these last few months don't help matters- but look at when they took this poll- in early March- right when Toyota was in the thick of it.

I know, I was writing about it.

And what's a 1,002 adults know anyway? I drove to the park today and passed more than a thousand cars- and guess what- if I payed attention- a minority were American.

Most car guys, no matter how patriotic- "if you don't want no problems"- a Japanese Honda, Toyota and or Nissan and the like is still the way to go. I also think Hyundais are fantastic- Korean- who knew?!

That's not to say they make a better car- but I still think most people are still a little weary on American cars- no matter how good they are. And they are good!

They can be great- but we'll know in another ten to twenty years how good they; we really are.

Until then- buy what you like- no matter what anyone tells you. You're paying for it- and it doesn't get anymore American than that.

http://www.ap-gfkpoll.com/ If you care.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Growing-Up Mercedes... And the Slippery Slope of Power & Speed.

It's undeniable how much I know about Mercedes-Benz. I grew-up on them, I've driven them, owned a few of them, even worked for and with them.

(Today was a busy day- I should be posting more- but, alas, I'm trying to make something of myself beyond the cyberspace- and, while I'm exhausted... I can't help but draw the funny nuances- Mercedes-Benz- that have been dancing in my head all night.)

This morning I was doing some reading- and came across a factoid- I don't know how accurate it was- the most expensive car ever sold was $26,000,000 (at vintage auction)- it was a Mercedes-Benz W196 racer- circa 1955? I just read it, nodded my head- and forgot about it.


(The W196 must have been right before they pulled-out of factory racing and Grand-Prix in '55; either way- it was perhaps the bloodiest most horrific accident you'd ever want to see- killed something like 85 people... Sick... Anyway...)

The W196 is one of those Silver Arrow-like racers- long nose- they made two versions- a track version and a streamlined version- it was the premier racer of it's kind in its day.

(I think Fangio- perhaps the greatest racer of all time- drove one... for as much as I know about cars- I'm not the biggest racing fan- strangely enough.)

Anyway- in late 1985- Mercedes-Benz unveiled the W124 300E... It was much anticipated- totally new and revamped from the even-then out-dated W123 of the late 1970's... For the record- my mother had one, a 300E- she said it was "alright..." even back then.



A little known factoid- the then new 300E could keep pace with, on a track (maybe it was the Ring? Or a Stuttgart test facility?) with the W196 racer... on a straight-six engine with 177 horses. Not bad for "alright."

If you think about it- it only took 30 years- but a four-door production vehicle keeping pace with a state-of-the-art racer of just 30 years prior- is kinda cool. I mean- you wouldn't want to comprehend what a state-of-the-art racer today could do to even the fastest of road-going monsters you could buy- it's not even close... (Watch below...)

But what hit me today- and not nearly amazing, but just equally as cool is- is this...

In 1990- twenty years ago- if you wanted the very best Mercedes-Benz sedan- it was the 560SEL/SEC.

What a lot of people don't know- the 560 (its like a German version of a Chevy 350) was supposed to be a limited production/edition car- a spawn of the 500 prior- which, well.. Let's not get into the history of the Mercedes-Benz aluminum V8 engine... here, it's chock-full of technical BS, and politics too.

Okay- so the 560 put out 228 horsepower- it was the biggest, and baddest engine they made. Top-of-the-line in 1990.

(Yeah, I know, they also had the multi-valve 5-liter in the 500 SL that put out 322 horses- but don't kill the bit, you couldn't get a 500SL in 1990- they were on huge back-order....)

My family- having owned and driven all kinds of big-bore German might back-in-the-day- took a test drive in a bottom-of-the-line C300 today- with... Drum roll.... 228 horses too. My mother wants a new car... "alright?"

And they're complaining, worried, that 228 horsepower isn't enough to keep-pace with cars nowadays, putting-out easily over 300 at the crank (not the rear wheels mind you) like it's nothing.

I understand where they're coming from- I mean- what's 228 horsepower today?

Then it hit me- and I reminded them- just twenty years ago- the best Mercedes-Benz they made put out the exact same horsepower- the 560 @ 228-horses.

What does the best road-going Mercedes-Benz, production, put out today? In excess of 600 horses.

I really don't care or count beyond 600 horses- and either should you.

While the video(s) below are a little old- they showed them when I went to Mercedes school up in Montvale, and it's a testament to innovation- and how racing improves the breed... And how, well, it's still not even close- like it used to be.




And if you don't think the W210 AMG or the A-Class is fast enough- check this out.



And, finally, watch this one if you're hung-up on the newest, latest and greatest...



I told my family to sleep on the 228-horses; after all, it's still a Mercedes-Benz- it'll go like hell if you needed it to, and in all directions (which is more I can say for most other cars, even today...) but it got me thinking how even with innovation and progress- it was a quantum leap in 1986 to keep up with a race cars of the 1950s.

Now, it seems just a bold step forward. 228 horses, from the top, to the very bottom-of-the-line. And none of them can catch a race-car. It's not even close now.

As for my mother- I hear NASA is retiring the Space Shuttle- I think they'll have at least one to spare.... Maybe she'll look into it. Then again- everything is relative, as I've just demonstrated here.

Okay- I Gotta Be Honest... It Could Be Worse.

I'm going to get a little personal here... I think I've hit a new low. In talking to a friend about some early daytime show he's watching and by accident (Cheaters?)- I found myself on PIX 11- you got it... Maury.

I'm convinced these programs are designed to make you feel better about whatever situation leaves you on your couch at 10 AM on a Wednesday morning.

Maury is bragging how his show has "more DNA testings a year than anyone" anyway.

Paternity Pandemonium...

In life- I'm convinced- we all find our places in the world. Eventually.

Everyone else should wear a condom, or stay home at night. Or both.

Who Knew... Who Cares... Move On.

Okay- second time in a week- Toyota- in a bid to "educate them... tell them... about worse shit till... they forget" has this video up... in their dedicated Yahoo! campaign.



Okay- we get it- Toyotas going out-of-control isn't as bad as the Cuyahoga River getting set fire in 1970- because of pollution.

You gotta see these series of movies- monsters, technical mishaps, everything- I'll be watching in 40 years - in a bid to promote the 2051 Toyota Avalon "40 years ago... Toyotas accelerated, couldn't brake and flipped-over... a hazard to everyone around...."

"Comfort is back."

With the Chinese & Volvo... I'm Not Buying It!

I'm sorry- but I've been following this closeout of American (and some European) auto brands/division since it's been in talks going-on almost a year- watching the likes of Hummer and Volvo get courted by huge Chinese conglomerates, and I'm sorry- I don't care how industrious, smart, driven and successful a nation- they're not running these care companies.

Well, forget Hummer, that's done... (Last I read or cared anyway).

But after reading this article in Yahoo! about Geely and how they're going to have issues migrating Volvo (really, this ought to be fun to watch)- after having gone through a merger and decommission (it was a takeover) myself- reading about Geely's record, their culture; knowing what a heap of crap Volvo is... (Sorry, they're shit these days...) this isn't going to be a marriage made in Chinese Dynasty Haven.

No one's getting fortune cookies at the end of this experience...

I'm sorry- I'm being honest- I just don't see it. The Chinese have failed to debut a world-class car- i.e. a vehicle available all over the world- read- here, in America. Ford is going to have to have contracts withstanding with them for decades- for supply, consultancy, whatever- like in the Jaguar/Tata merger- Ford is still going to have to be in the picture- none of these mergers and takeovers are clean.

They're safety, production and quality standards are not up to snuff- it's ironic they bought Volvo, a car known and marketed towards safety- a brilliant marketing ploy that has been at the forefront of their ethos- since the 1980s.

(But remember when Volvos looked like this? Them were the days...)


Volvos for the record, used to be great cars- but that was decades ago. Now, their platforms are aged- their quality is not what it's used to be- and if Ford- the healthiest of the "Big Three" doesn't want them- how are the Chinese going to find profitability in them?
Sure, they'll be profitable- but at what price? And in what market?

If the Chinese think they can put the Volvo badge on some total Chinese piece-of-crap microcar and market its virtues in their market- all the power to them. They can, it's their brand now.

But if they think they're going to build the loyalty worldwide, of a Swedish car manufacturer (love them, or hate them) and sell a viable product- I just think they still have a lot to learn- and I hope the Swedes can learn it to them.

I could be wrong, I hope I am- but the whole deal just isn't sitting with me.

I prefer to remember Volvos- when they were great.

A little trivia here- The Car Guy Gets It was brought home from the hospital in a Volvo 164 E.

My late grandfather too, also drove a Volvo- a 244- so, I'm warm and fuzzy about the brand- just it's amazing how things have changed in the last 30 years.

But who would have thunk-it, those people on the hilltop in the picture here were Chinese.... (What, they could be?)

JJTEPXVUKCG6

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Of Christinas, Christines & Full-Bodied Reds...

Okay- week one of the said blog- and you're wondering- what gives? Where's the car dish? I mean; so far, there's been like two posts on shoes alone- so- what gives? Is The Car Guy Gets It gay?

(No, he's not gay...)

But for the sake of diversity let's talk girls for a minute- see, you get everything here at The Car Guy Gets It. I get women too you know. I was so delighted to read the news today and learn that Christina Hendricks was voted Esquire Magazines' Best-Looking Woman in America- in a poll that put her ahead from the likes of Megan Fox and Adriana Lima. I like that... It's all over the web too.

Good for her- she seems like a nice person and she married a guy who just looking at him makes me feel like a Calvin Klein underwear model- (thank you Christina for that...)

I first spotted Christina playing that hard-bitch office manager she does so well in AMC's Mad Men- my favorite show- and arguably one of the best television series of all time.

She plays Joan Harris- the head secretary/office manager who's as shrewd as she is curvy. She plays the bitch- a bitch that isn't below sleeping with her boss, but, honorably she stops when she gets engaged... This was 1961, if it were set in modern-day America- she'd be screwing her boss till the first baby came- I mean, times are bad. Job security you know...

When I first saw her on Mad Men- I didn't know if it was the makeup or the costumes- but I was dumbfounded that they cast such a, um, curvaceous actress; then again- Mad Men takes place in the days of Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren- both, how do I put this- "full-bodied" women.

To say this girl's got it "go'n like a Turbo-Vette" would do even 2 Live Crew proud.

A little personal information, maybe too personal- Christina is not my cut-of-chicken per se; but I've been with women like her (similar to her in build) and let me tell you- that's a lot of woman and not typically the type that wins mainstream contests. Rather, she's the kinda girl they used to paint the noses of B-17's during WWII and name them "Boom Boom Bombs" or something like that... Shit of a different era, I'll say that.

Alright enough of this- lets congratulate her- and what does this have to do with cars? Um, not much... but if you insist...
I don't know- she reminds me of Christine, minus the "a". Stephen King's Christine. You know you're a car guy when you can draw this similarity... Hell, they're both red...

And I've heard (a little genetic science here...) in another 50 years- they're not going to be making redheads anymore... Just like they don't make Plymouths like Christine.

To quote a line in Christine... "I like that shade of red Arnie, they still make that?... I didn't know they made that shade of red anymore..."

Chrysler called it Torredor Red in 1958. Okay- I'm done for now. I'll just say this one last thing- I'm glad she beat Megan Fox- I didn't like her thumbs anyway...

40 Years of Sebago Docksides... It's a Big Deal and a Good Product!

I have to laugh- everything has a magazine these days- a lifestyle magazine. (No, I'm not talking about THAT lifestyle, that's THE lifestyle and that's a conversation for another blog...) Having worked for enough of them- I'll attest- there's good content but really- they're just a collection of really nice ads and glossy, colorful paper... and they make a big deal over everything. That's sales...

So walking out of a shoe store in Red Bank, I came across the Sebago magazine- on the cover- a pair of limited edition Sebago Docksides- evidently, they're celebrating 40 years of the Sebago Dockside. Is this a big deal?

I took it and shook my head- what the heck? They're not even the original boat shoe- that title goes to the Sperry Top-Sider; which, looking down from outer-space is the same shoe, or same type-shoe favored by boating enthusiasts, preps and corporate casual people too lazy to tie their shoes in the summer- that was me.

(I'm convinced the boat shoes I wore to work pissed-off the morons in the office- not only did they not know what the hell a boat shoe was... They didn't know anyone who would wear one- I mean, after all, you're not supposed to wear shoes in the water- and boats float, right? Marvelous collection of idiots I worked around- believe me...)

My father is a maven when it comes to a lot of things- he's very impressionable and I think as a young man- he was very impressed with things like style, fashion, trend, good taste, quality... He has a lot of clothes for man, and invariably a lot of shoes as well- I try to take him along when I shop- he's certainly a man you want to imitate if you have the means.

(For the record- I wish I was his size- because all kidding aside- I'd never need another pair of shoes in my life. But anyway...)

Shopping with my father one day, I picked up a pair of Sebago (the said Docksides) boat shoes- those moccasin-type, two-holed leather shoes with the rawhide lacing that runs along the outside- like rigging on a sailboat. They also have these neat rubber soles that appear flat and unadorned but once you bend them- micro-sized grooves and cuts appear. But more on that later.
"They're not the original... but they're good..." my father gave with an enthusiastic nod. So- for- I really can't remember how much- they were cheap- maybe $50 on closeout sale? I bought them- three years ago.

Suffice to say- they haven't left my feet since.

I wore them to work, I wear them on the weekends- I may have even done some lewd, unsavory things in them- I don't know- but it's a great shoe and accessory and I don't know too many things that you can do all that- and still wear them with a sport jacket and tie at the yacht club- if you're so inclined, and lucky, of course.

And they pissed-off the people at work- I know they did- so I loved them.

SO- I'm in love with my Sebago Docksides- and after having done some research on the company and the shoe- shockingly- it's a big deal. As the Sebago lifestyle magazine too- will have you thinking.

There's even an article- written by Street Etiquette- on "The Battle of the Boat Shoes" which I found amusing- and amusing to the fact that I'm not the only one who writes about this crap.

But the boat shoe has an interesting genesis- some guy named Sperry in 1935 marveled how his dog ran over ice and slippery surfaces- so he took a pen knife to the soles of some shoes- and cut grooves in them- resembling the cuts found on the undersides of his dog's paws.

Alas- the Sperry Top-Sider with the grooved soles was born- and it's a functional, casual classic.

Meanwhile circa 1946, the also New England-based Sebago didn't originally make boat shoes- but rather Sabago-Moc (as it was known prior) were famous for their loafers, moccasin style, handmade penny-loafers- they also made shoes for and under the Uniroyal brand as I read... They made a good shoe, and in 1970- they introduced their bid to the boat shoe wearing elite- the Dockside.

Typically slightly more expensive than the Sperry- but visually about the same (okay- maybe the Sebago is a little bit more, I dunno, "better" if you want to perceive better with spending more money?) the Dockside is, in my opinion the better over the Sperry. And I have them, so, they're better... But they are comfortable- and they so closely resemble the iconic Sperry- you're just a Chris-Craft and a good head of hair away from On Golden Pond or whatever Polo ad you aspire to.

They go great with chinos and jeans, and shorts... I've worn them in deep snow too- which is like driving a convertible in the rain with the top-down if you ask me- but that's not the shoe's fault- that's my own stupidity.

They're even coming out with special edition and boutique branded Sebago Docksides- for those inclined to differentiate themselves just a little bit more- and spend more money. Don't be surprised if Kanye West is already "rocking" a pair... Or whatever the hell he does.

So, if you have the time- and need a pair of good, versatile, comfortable, do-every and anything shoes- look into and buy a pair of Sebago Docksides- they're a Good Product! For around $100 retail- it's cheap too- as far as timeless classics go.

I've Been Here Before... And So Has Chrysler. The Second or Third Coming of Chrysler.

Okay- little dark secret about the The Car Guy Gets It here... in his darkest hour he sold Chryslers. There, I said it. You can all laugh now...

But that was years ago- when they, the Chryslers, were glorious.

(Funny how we tend to glorify our lives no matter how shitty they may have been at one time or another... Chryslers included.)

They weren't glorious- but I was selling them at the zenith of the DaimlerChrysler empire- when they made such masterpieces as the Chrysler Crossfire (which, I'll have you know was a first-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK with an ugly Chrysler skin...) Sto-N-Go seating (the middle and back row seating of the Town & Country folded flat into the fucking floor... in-to the fucking floor!) and alas- the Baby Bentley... Ah, the Chrysler 300. The Three Hund... the Three-Hundo.

The Chrysler 300- for about 9 months between October 2004 till I want to say about the time I left around (for the record I was fired, can you believe?) spring 2005- they couldn't keep that car on the shelf.

Everyone wanted a 300- Chrysler was back baby and the 300 was a testament to what Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz could do to make an exciting car that people wanted.

Then- like most anything else- the fad cooled a bit- everyone who wanted or actually liked a 300 got one, now they can't give them away- good car aside- but it was exciting to have sold them when they were hot- I guess when I'm old and gray I can brag to my grandchildren how "I sold the 300 before every rapper had one in their music video."

(A little side story here- I sold three Dodge Magnums to The Diplomats- Dip Set Bitch... but that's another story for another post...)

Anyway- that's ancient history. Thank God.

And Chrysler too was almost ancient history when they went totally fucking bankrupt then Fiat came to the rescue and bought them, in a move that would make it very easy to market and plan their next foray in America the Fiat 500. Only this time, they're hoping they don't leave the country with the Fix It Again Tony sentiment.

Now, the biggest and brightest auto mavens are looking toward the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee as the next savior of the brand- in an article published by the Associated Press and featured on Yahoo! this morning.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has always been a game-changer, a winner. But personally- this is not 1995 anymore. The game isn't about changing it anymore- but rather- staying in the game.

SUVs are not as popular as they once were- BUT- the Cherokee promises efficiency, livability in a car world and segment that has gotten a little smaller in the mind, and lighter in the wallet when it comes to fuel costs and a lot more refined.

Yeah, yeah- they claim the new 2011 Grand Cherokee was in planning "way before Fiat came along..." but what they're not telling you is- this Chrysler Second Coming is- you guessed it- based off Mercedes-Benz ML underpinnings.
So- if you want a taste of what the Second Coming of Chrysler- go to your local Mercedes-Benz Center and drive the ML- a car they've been slinging going on five years now.

I don't doubt the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee isn't going to be great- it will. All Grand Cherokees have been good- but can they turn around an entire company?

As I remembered it- Jeeps were never the problem in the Chrysler arena- Chryslers were. Then again, America loves an underdog and a continual underdog storyline Chrysler has been for 40 years- think the Rocky series but with a car brand.


Monday, April 19, 2010

Yeah... I Don't Chase Technology. A Look Back at Home Computing at Thirty-Something.

I don't really consider myself a gadget guy. I mean, I dunno, am I? I'm thinking of up-grading to the new iPhone that's swirling around the Internet...

I don't like to think I chase technology. Or better written- I don't chase technology- do you think I do?

My first computer- was a Commodore 64- I got it at Toys-R-Us on Route 4, in Paramus, NJ- I want to say around 1985, maybe '86. I had the matching brown VGA monitor too- when everyone else hooked theirs up to a small, 13-inch TV.

It didn't do shit- because you had to practically known a programming language to get it to run... Funny, I remember typing "Run" a lot.


I started using Apple computers back in 1988 with the Apple IIgs- for those Macheads out there- "gs" stood for "graphics and sound." I think it was like $3,000 and I don't think it did anything particularly useful unless you had the time, the diskette (this thing had a 3.5 floppy when everything else was at 5.25) and the money to buy the program. (Holy shit- when was the last time I wrote :floppy," let alone "diskette?") We bought it because it was supposed to be better, "more friendlier" than the Commodore.

(The early Mac Heads considered themselves so fucking righteous too... Now didn't they?)

The IIgs like blew-away any and everything else. It looked and sat like a "separates" system any audiophile junkie would be proud of on a rack- separate monitor (back in the day- monitors came attached to the CPU- think Commodore Pet, original Mac) CPU, diskette drives... Two of them. I remember I had to buy a 5.25 drive- because everyone was still on that- this thing, also had the separate, aforementioned 3.5 too. Lets not forget the one-button mouse, and the keyboard. Made the Apple IIe at school look like the ugly, slower sister it was.

Did I mention I also had the Apple tractor-feed, ink ribbon color printer. Pixels baby. I made birthday and greeting cars on it- the program escapes me now.


Damn, I'm getting old. But with the world seemingly going to IBM PC circa the early 1990's- at least in my neck of the woods (ironically- IBM had a home office just a few blocks of my home) we got an IBM PS1- it was ugly- built better than the car I drive today and logged-on to Prodigy- the Internet, through a phone wire. Got it at Sears right across from the Kenmore selection of refrigerators. I shit you not.

I remember having some major software issues with it. I didn't know what I was doing anyway.

College came in the fall of 1996 and so did a brand-new Compaq Presario Pentium II with 133 megahertz. I remember getting the 133- hoping to save a little from the blazing, super fast 166. This too, was an ugly machine- strange shapes- but it lasted all through college- through the acceleration of the Internet and even downloaded and listened to music on Napster, (before it was a punishable crime- don't download songs for free- do it on iTunes) towards the end of my senior year in college.

It took something like four or five hours to download one song- I'd set it at night before I went to sleep to download three of four- if I was lucky- I got the good stuff- if I wasn't, oh well. Guess I had to go to Sam Goody and buy the CD for $18.00.

I was buying a lot of CDs in those days- I got kicked-off the Internet a lot back then.

The Compaq blew-up- literally- and I inherited another Compaq- that was just as ugly- but by then- I was working, working on Dells, Gateways and "dummy terminals" (think faded black screens with neon green font writing) on Wall Street.

They were slow- but no slower than the people using them- so it was okay...

Then, as luck would have it- I started writing professionally- and to better swallow my morning commute into Manhattan- I bought a second-hand Macintosh Powerbook- ironically nicknamed the "Wall Street;" I paid too much for it- but then gave it to my parents and they used it for years before my father was almost arrested for threatening to throw it at the cable guy- it was so heavy it could have very well been a lethal weapon.

In the fall of 2002- I walked into the very first Apple Store (Yes, the first one, I swear) and financed (through an "Apple Loan") my Powerbook 667.

Like everyone has that hot car when you were young "back in the day"- like that sexy Corvette, Mustang or something red? I had that Powerbook 667- man, that thing was elegance. THAT was a computer.

(I even bought it with the very first iPod- a 5-gig with a click-wheel that actually spun-around like an old telephone dial- I used it for years till people at the gym started looking at me funny and throwing change my way...)

Titanium construction - silver paint that chipped off and needed re-touching, but I didn't care- it was like- from another planet. The keyboard, held in place by magnets- lifted up to reveal a maze of high-polished, chrome underpinnings and heat-sinks. Steel tubes, wires, it looked better than the engine in some exotic Italian sports cars- and they're displayed under glass- this thing was hidden by my keyboard. Sublime.

Sublime until the aluminum hinge (or was it magnesium?) that kept the monitor on axis from the keyboard broke and they wanted an un-Godly amount of money to fix it- by then it was deemed unable to get onto the WiFi at graduate school anyway- so- off to my nightstand it went- and in came the more subdued but way more functional MacBook I have now. But the 667 still works and does most everything I need it to do. (I'll leave it at that, thanks.)

My only real regret is not going back to November, 2002 and instead of buying that 667 and iPod- I took the $2500 and put it all in Apple Stock. (I think I'd be retired by now, or typing from my yacht in Palm Beach, Fl...)

It didn't take too long for my current, 13-inch (and white) MacBook to look like shit- the white's hard to keep clean, and the brittle and fragile plastic case has a tendency to crack and splinter right around where your wrists sit while typing.

(That's okay- I may want to commit suicide as I write this blog- would that get me some clicks?)

Electrical tape covers the holes- it's going on four years old- but that's okay- I don't chase technology- remember? And it looks better this way- less... Well, white and new. Dare I say "like a little girl..."

Now, things have changed- I think I'm due for a new smart phone... (The guy who doesn't chase technology is still using his original, metal-backed 8-gig iPhone... but in the summer of 2007- I was chasing it, trust me) I think when it's time- I'm going to get this- which is leaking around the Internet- The New iPhone.

People who know me well- ask... "Are you going to get the iPad?"

I quip back at them... "please- I'm lucky I know how to turn a computer on..." with a wink and a smile.