[TR] "Retiring from the TR hobby"

[Jim Muller]

On 12 Oct 2009 at 12:14, John Herrera wrote something.  I have quoted 
it in its entirety because it is so true, so accurate.  My wife, who 
doesn't drive a shift tranny, who certainly doesn't drive my cars, 
and who drives at all very infrequently, said John;s note would be 
funny if it weren't so true.

We drive the GT6 and turn heads.  Most are the heads of bored women 
in the passenger seats of SUVs driven by husbands intent on passing 
us.  They turn and smile as we slide backwards.  You can read their 
faces: "I wish I were riding in that.  Instead of in this."

Some are the heads of men who stare for a few seconds, give a thumbs 
up, then floor the loud pedal in an effort to recapture lost youth.  
You can read their faces too: resignation.  No hollow cheeks, for 
they eat too well.  Poor souls.  Hollow souls.  Lost souls.

When I drive either the GT6 or the Spitfire I smile inside and out.  
I'll keep driving them for as long as I am able.

Jim Muller
(John H., look what you've made me do.)


> I really don't want to retire from the TR hobby.
> 
> 
> 
> I have a chronic illness and am unable to work. I can't work on the TR3 much
> anymore; not even clean it. I rarely have the enegy to drive it.
> 
> 
> 
> My only income is a meager Social Security Disability payment. I am up to here
> in credit card debt. I could sell the car to pay off the debt, but instead, I
> charge more parts.
> 
> 
> 
> Why, then, don't I sell the TR3 and retire from the hobby?
> 
> 
> 
> I could say that I love the car so much that I can't bring myself to live
> without it. Or that the camaraderie of the TR community keeps me going. Or
> even that driving the car, however rarely, gives me pleasure and the desire to
> live.
> 
> 
> 
> But it's none of these. No, it's because I can't stand to become one of those
> guys who spend their empty days hanging about gas stations, quickie marts,
> restaurants, etc.
> 
> 
> 
> They wait and wait for a TR3 to drive up.
> 
> 
> 
> Broken men.
> 
> 
> 
> Forgotten men.
> 
> 
> 
> Men with hollow cheeks and glazed-over eyes with a far-away look in them.
> 
> 
> 
> "I used to have one of these", they say to you in a husky voice as they try to
> hold back the emotion.
> 
> 
> 
> I don't want to become like that, so I'll try to keep my car a little longer.