Some of you might be looking at this picture and thinking to yourselves, “Looks like another ratty old Volvo with it’s hubcaps missing.” I, on the other hand, view this car as inspirational.
The red Volvo 245 above is owned by Patrick, an 18 year old guy in Virginia who, until he decided to try and install a new radio in the car, had absolutely ZERO mechanical experience. It was a dark blue color, with stained, tan interior and the typical, crap-ass yellow plastic headlights. You can see that it’s a sweet red right now, and that the headlights are all replaced and looking sharp. Look closer and you might also notice the interior is now black. Patrick pretty much replaced the entire interior.
Is this one of those uber-fast, turbobricks? Not yet, but it’s a pretty righteous old school euro in the works if you ask me. Considering my own 245 is in similar condition to Pat’s before he got down to business, it is inspiring to see the progress he has made on his wagon. I want mine to look nice like this. Reminding yourself that you paid less for your daily driver than the guy next to you in the Escalade paid for his registration this year will only get you so far in the self-esteem department. Polishing up a jewel like Pat has done goes a lot farther. Yeah, it would be nice if it was fast too, but fast gets expensive really quick and, if you look back at the top of the page, you’ll notice I’ve already got a turbocharged car in the works.
So here’s to Patrick in Virginia, a relative newcomer to the world of the shade-tree mechanic and the life of the do-it-yourself grease monkey. You’ve shown an old dog some new tricks. I hope my brick is as cool as your brick soon.
In the glovebox:
Working Credo
