Fabulous. A Chevrolet 3600 in pretty darned good shape and in constant use as a workhorse in and around Sausalito, California. We spotted this gem on a recent stroll around the seaside enclave and I managed to take out my camera and snap this single shot before it drove out of the parking lot. Hanging on the back of the truck was a sign that if I recall correctly, said something like “Same Owner, 59 Years” — isn’t that just wonderful? It makes middle-aged folks like myself smile at the thought. In this day and age where people think products that cost serious money are meant to be replaced every year or two (think laptops, cellphones, etc.) and that built in obsolescence (that’s an SAT spelling word if I ever recall one) is a good thing, it’s terrific to find someone proud to have used the same vehicle for 59 years straight. That’s what “built to last” means… I find today’s throw away consumerism so incredibly wasteful in comparison with say even just 50 years ago. And all this chic eco talk about plastic bags, carbon footprints, etc… frankly, it’s totally true but we brought the problem on ourselves. If folks weren’t so enamored with always the newest, the fastest, the most convenient, the most packaged food, electronics, vehicles, etc., we wouldn’t have so much waste to begin with to feel guilty about…
Still on the same stroll, we ran across a Volkswagen Beetle in absolute mint condition. Mint color too. A real beauty. Probably starred in that movie named Herbie eons ago, featuring a whole kaboodle of Beetles. :) With the black license plate number a rare sight in California these days, a hint of its silver haired status…
And while we are on the topic of wonderful vehicles, why not throw in a dock filled with the most amazing sailboats in case you wanted to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge on a breezy afternoon. Not that I would, I dislike small boats. :)
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ay, homesick for what used to be home for sometime, a long time ago
“In this day and age where people think products that cost serious money are meant to be replaced every year or two (think laptops, cellphones, etc.) and that built in obsolescence (that’s an SAT spelling word if I ever recall one) is a good thing, it’s terrific to find someone proud to have used the same vehicle for 59 years straight.”
Amen to that.
Two weeks ago, some friends and I were talking about our respective “toys” and I discovered I was the only one who had the same cellphone, laptop, and ipod for over 3 years. Granted they’re not top of the line items, but why keep changing items if the darn things still work? Not to mention having to worry about moving files and phone numbers and all sorts of stuff to the new equipment, I just like the comfort level of good quality equipment that doesn’t fail me and need to be replaced. I guess I’m old fashioned that way.
That white truck looks like the truck of my friend in the Central Valley, except hers is baby blue. It was very cool driving it around S. Cali highways a couple of years ago; she outfitted hers with power steering, otherwise we’d have had to do some weightlifting to get it to turn.
Just imagine how many companies would go bankrupt if their products lasted a lifetime. The capitalist economy is meant to consume, consume, consume…. to the planet’s detriment and ours too.
that’s amazing, we bought a vehicle days after my birthday this year and I hope that It will last 50 years.
@Mila – I, too, discovered I have had the same main phone for more than 2 years… which I replaced two years ago only because my old one was stolen. Why drive yourself crazy with transferring data and contacts when the model on-hand still works perfectly, right? =)
Today’s throw-away mentality not only encompasses eating utensils, gadgets, and even clothing. People are easily disposed of after their usefulness has been exhausted. Relationships are just as “instant” – easy come, easy go. Even pets are not spared – ever wonder why there are tons of perfectly beautiful animals in pounds? So sad…
I also wonder how people can manage having more than one cellphone at a time! not to mention that they exchange these outrageously pricey things whenever a new one comes out! i happen to see people less priviledged than i am who have far better phones than mine yet they complain about going hungry! talked out screwed up priorities! give me my nokia 1100 anytime!
BTW MM, i think your pulling our leg! if the man on the last picture is you, i can’t imagine how a full crown of black hair can be considered “middle aged” hehe! :)
I am exercising a bit of a double-ride here. My husband’s the one who wants and buys new gadgets, I get his castaways. But that old Chevy…makes me think of our 20 year-old Suburban which we sold just two weeks ago and of Father’s Ford 150 pickup(1960 model) which he had in the late 70’s. Brother took it for a 3 km spin just to buy a piece of ginger from the pondahan and ended up in a ditch…Teenagers and classic cars, tsk, tsk, tsk…I smile whenever I see a veteran car.
My hubby wants a leasing program for a car for me, for he does not want to do maintenance on a 4-5 years oldcar; but when it comes to his own dream transportation, he is saving to buy a 1950 step-side Ford Chevy truck just like in your picture. He said he wanted one that the original owner had cared for and restored. In North Carolina (we stayed for some years) where life is slower pace than here in Houston, we saw a bunch of these trucks. He made offer and none would sell, and I told him that those folks love those trucks and stick to them like forever. My opinion, being a rural (mostly military retired folks) town, people in NC are more nostalgic than in this fast pace modern city who goes for newer gadgets. They don’t want to hang on things “Magpakailanman.
marketman, i don’t know if you’re aware, but you’re on the wallstreet journal!
https://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2010/11/30/bloggers-pick-the-best-asian-food/
bernice, yes, thanks, did a post on that a few days back… :) tonceq, it’s all about angles…I assure you my hair is less than 50% of what it used to be! Maybe that’s why I don’t care for photos from the front! :) And while my grandfather had a brilliant full crown of the whitest hair, I am simply losing hair…
My super wonderful husband gifted me a C-220 Mercedes on my 45th birthday in 1995. I still have it in very good condition with only 18k miles after 15 years. I plan to take good care of it and keep it until the end of my day. I have a Chevy for everyday use that is why I didn’t put many miles on my Mercedes. My husband has a 26′ McGregor sailboat/motorboat combination, a real beauty. Please come and visit us MM and family and we would go sailing!
We have a 1972 Ford truck that we use only to haul stuff to and fro. It was handed down from Grandpa Taylor about 20 years ago. He only used “Betzel” to haul logs within their farm in Tennessee. To date, the truck has about 88k miles. I love the “antique” status-yearly inspection only costs around $12. Can you believe she had a set of 10 year old tires and only recently did we get Betzel her new shoes? She is as good as new with those new tires!
We also have a 1977 Porsche 911 that we have been caring for for years! “Mary Jane” is well loved. If the weather is nice we drive her around town on the weekends. She doesn’t have power steering otherwise I’ll be driving her to work. I do have to refer to these vehicles in the third person as they have been part of our lives for so long-they are family indeed.
I think I saw something like that car and it was blue. We were at Paseo de Santa Rosa intersection on our way to Tagaytay. If only I had the time to take a picture! A very old couple was driving the vehicle looking as though they were just going out on a date. Probably the same way they did 50 years ago. It’s vintage and romantic. How cool is that? But what’s more romantic is this really old couple, driving to the farm in their own kalesa along the national road of Ilocos Sur! GoshThat one I will never forget :)
kinda off-topic, but anyway: Sausalito = <3
We need this reminder from time to time – because this throw-away consume consume society can be reined in if we only acted with more prudence and frugality.
Couldn’t agree more on this. It’s really ironic that our generation had been taught to waste and waste and now that we’re finally feeling the effects of our “waste”, we’ve finally made the initiative to slowly start going back to everything green. Reconditioning something that had it been left as is, need not be reconditioned at all. :)
Happy holidays MM from Manila!
I like gadgets – more of curious. My computers and cel phones last me years until they break down! My current Mac is now 3 years old. Prior Mac laptop was 6 years old (conked out); prior Mac desktop was 8 years old (conked out). Previous cel Nokia communicator was 6 years old (broken hinge but still working)…you get the picture.
Are you aware that Maytag is/was probably the only brand that really lasted a lifetime? Ironically the repair/maintenance section was non-existent. Familiar with the bored Maytag personnel ad? That’s sooo true.