Is it possible that a car or a bike can have a soul? True petrol heads will tell you with absolute certainty that the answer is YES.
As I had my morning coffee I sat and tried to recall all of the cars I’ve had till this point in my life. The list is long. With only 29 short years of “legal” driving experience and still not nearly on the wrong side of the dirt, I’ve had 34 cars,trucks, or bikes, not including a boat (and I’m certain that I’ve left something out). Each and every one had their own story to tell. Some stories were short and boring, while others made you feel like you wanted to be best buds for a long, long time. It wasn’t necessarily the nicest, newest, or cleanest rides that were my favorites. Instead it was the ‘Old Souls’ of the group. The ones with their own character, personality, and maybe a little patina. You see, like people, cars are shaped by their experiences and the experiences they can share with you.
My first car was a 63 1/2 Falcon Sprint. Owned by my grandmother since it was new, I took it over just after I started driving. Red, two doors, tach on the dash, and that unique smell that only an old car could have. This thing was awesome. Then there is my black VW. My dad and I flew to California and built the car at my uncle’s shop. A real head turner to say the least. It was full on show quality, complete with roll bar, dual carbs, custom paint, and hand lettering. We drove it back across the country, taking only 3 days non-stop with no license plates and no radio. My SHO, maybe a car that wouldn’t stick out to some, but this was a pure sleeper. Show room perfect with blood-red paint, black leather, and that perfect engine built by Yamaha. There was the Mach 1 Mustang. It’s shaker hood sticking out of the hood breathing the cool clean air and it’s spun aluminum shift knob ….. so much fun. Then of course there is my Viper.
Since Viper was first introduced in Jan of 1992 I was bitten. But it was the introduction of the GTS models in 1996 that sealed the deal in my heart. With the Carroll Shelby design influences, and subtle accents like the Gurney “double bubble” roof, it was pure art on wheels. Nothing was practical about this car. 19 years later after a long windy road of twists, turns and bumps, a dream that I never thought would be a possibility came true. I bought the exact blue and white GTS I’d always dreamed of. The smell of the exhaust, the heat in the cabin, the lack of anything to help you control the beast, is what an gives her that old soul feeling. The radio is pointless. In fact, I’d argue that you need to have it off so that you can fully connect with what’s going on. The heart stopping acceleration, and the feel of every crack in the road, pull you and the car together as one machine. There are those that look at a car as only a means to get from A to B. I’m not one of those people, and I don’t own those type of cars. I like the ones with character….with souls…….Old Souls. And the Viper is definitely one, I want to hold onto for a long, long time.
