The car was sitting in front of an active small shop with a string of current day cars to the left and another abandoned car to the right. The way the tree appeared to almost be growing from the rear of the car was visually interesting to me.
I did not want to approach the vehicle and bring attention to myself so I can’t tell you what year this GMC Corvair is. I do know they were made from 1960 – 1969 and the scuttle but at the time was that they were the only American made car that placed the engine in the rear and storage area in the front (much like a Volkswagen Beetle).
Because of the rear engine location the car used swing arm suspension rather than a universal joint. Some would argue that this made the rear wheels camber excessively during high speed cornering. One such advocate was activist Ralph Nader who wrote about this in his book “Unsafe at any speed”. Although sales were doing fairly well through the 60’s the 1966 model sales plummeted to half as a result of his 1965 publishing. Ironically it was in 1966 that Corvair revamped their rear suspension and modeled it after the Corvette Stingray. A study by Texas A&M in 1972 for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that 1960-63 Corvairs exhibited no greater loss of control than their contemporary counterparts. Too late for Corvair. Production ceased in 1969.
As I said things from my youth remind me of my youth and frankly time of my life will always be cherished. I lived in what could be considered “down town” in a small suburban town where most of the housing was born from a need to support the bustling silver and steel industries, (to name a few), in town.
So when I see that car I immediately think of what we as 6-10 year olds would call “Old lady and Old man Johnson’s car”. We called them that only to ourselves but showed the upmost respect and politeness to them. In those days all adults were Mr. or Mrs. They drove a pristine green colored, 4 DR Corvair. Frankly it rarely left the yard. Mrs. Johnson would walk into town for her groceries and bring them home behind her on a small cart (like many neighbors did in those days). Mr. Johnson was rarely seen leaving the yard. He was always tinkering in the back yard or basement. I knew them during their late 70’s – early 80’s and moved while they were still alive.
So why do old cars like this bring me some peace and happiness. Well I think you’re starting to get the connection. Not only did it make me think of my revered neighborhood, (it was all blue collar and far from fancy but it was the best), but it made me remember the way Mrs. Johnson would make me feel. As a small boy I’d be out playing in the front yard and many times Mrs. Johnson would be returning from her trip uptown. She was all hunched over from the effects of a long life, her grey hair pulled back and her face wrinkled from times precious experiences. She’d trudge along pulling that shopping cart and you’d wonder if she was going to make it another step. HOWEVER, here’s the kicker. There wasn’t a time that she wouldn’t stop and ask me how my day was going. I’d always be so happy that she spoke with me and I’d try to return the favor with kindness and respect as well.
Anyone that knows me knows that I’m not a big lover of children. I love my kids and enjoyed raising them but those days are long gone and I’m not one to particularly enjoy being around children (don’t hate me it’s just the way it is). HOWEVER, when I take my walks around the block and I see young kids playing by the road I ALWAYS flash back to “Mrs. Johnson” and the way she made me feel. So I come out of my comfort zone and will spend a few seconds trying to make them feel good about themselves in passing like I felt so many years ago.
I’m sure you all have had a Mrs. Johnson moment in your life as well. Remember it’s not particularly what you say when you meet someone but it’s how you make them feel that they’ll always remember.
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