Bittersweet. Things I love about these old cars are the lives they have touched. It's unknown to history the dramas that have unfolded in the midst of these old automobiles. We will never know all the stories. We'll know only a few. We'll never know all the sweet stories of first loves and kisses. We'll never know the bitter stories of tears, goodbyes and heartbreaks. We'll never know of all the exciting adventures. We'll never know of those harrowing moments of the terror of close calls or personal tragedy. We'll never know of the sad trips. Through the decades there's just no telling of the stories. These unknown stories could be award winning novels, they could be hit movies. They also could be as boring as a wrinkled paper bag. The majority of this history will remain forever silent as...these automobiles cannot talk. Really, this is as it should be. Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr ^^^^ At my home. Now this was taken last year sometime so it's a stand in. Sunday after church I decided to drive the '51 Coupe down to my parent's house. Now it's a little dirty in this photo. I have been known to wash, wax and polish the chrome and then drive down a dirt road before a show because.... It's a real car. As a matter of fact, the only show I went to this year, there was some birdshit on the front fender. I thought about wiping it off...Nope. My mother is battling stage 4 cancer right now. She's doing very well. This get together is on her good weekend. Although my mom's illness is troubling this story is not all about that. There is something else going on that I'll not mention directly, mainly because it's just too over the top. My Mama, she is doing very good. IMG_0152 by Travis Brown, on Flickr ^^^^ Here I am headed south. it was such a beautiful day. You gotta love these old Fords. Ahhh, the smells. That tinge of gasoline. The ancient upholstery. The cool wind coming through the window. The way the sun reflects off the flat glass. The handling.... the very slight seesawing of the steering wheel held between my left thumb and forefinger with my arm propped through the open window. If you look closely, you can see the red circle of the speedometer circling 60 mph. This old Ford loves 60! As I get closer to my destination, I have to turn off the highway to a side road. Now this requires both hands and care. I'm running Coker BF Goodrich Silvertowns. The old-style bias plys are smooth and I find them pleasant, but they are not for everyone. On turns the car feels heavy on the tires. Also, the car handles much better than the tires will allow. It will let you know it too. It's an acquired taste, one that I enjoy. Brakes as 1951, very good and adjusted right. Wiring... fair. I do have some wires hanging from under the dash, but I don't think they went to anything important. Seriously though, the dash harness is very good, it was the under-hood harness that needed the most work. The new dash harness is still in the back seat. I'll get to it one day, but for now, it's fine. It lights, it charges. It's OK for now. The old car is a survivor, well maybe it's the line between a survivor and a zombie. IMG_0154 by Travis Brown, on Flickr Here I am parked at my parents. I grew up here. Things have changed a lot. I'm sad to say the area has declined a little. It's not like it was when I was a kid or even 10 years ago. I did not realize this at the time, but this photo is poignant. This was the last time. It will never be the same. I'm reminded of Arlo Guthrie's City of New Orleans, "and the steel rails still have not heard the news".... Oh What the heck... IMG_0155 by Travis Brown, on Flickr My daddy cooked a Boston Butt in the smoker and grilled smoke sausage. He cooked some red beans and rice in the dutch oven. Mama cooked stewed cabbage. The hit though were the chicken livers and onions in a big iron skillet.....Lord have Mercy! There is a dynamic when I'm home with Mom and Dad. Even though I'm 50, when I'm home with them I'm perpetually 20 years old my brother is 16. It's still the same. Yessir, Yes mam, Nosir, No mam. I know we are blessed to still have this. I spent the night, just because. It's first time I have stayed at home with them in a long time, years. My dad insisted on parking his truck behind the Ford because of the crummy neighbors. He was worried about my Ford. IMG_0156 by Travis Brown, on Flickr After a nice breakfast and coffee, I headed north. 60 MPH again! Now I did have some fun on the way back home. As I approached "slow-poke" I gave 'er some gas and did a slight slingshot into the passing lane. Now you would think as the MPH passes 70 that she would be screaming for mercy. Absolutely not! The old '51 let me know, "If you got the nuts, I got the guts!" Man, I love a Flathead Ford! there's something about them that's unexplainable. They don't run like an OHV...they run like a flathead. After I got around him and well ahead, I slung back into the slow lane and settled back down to 60MPH. You have to love these old Fords. Folks used to modern cars think they are winding them too tight at Hiway speed. The truth is these cars were made to run this way. With that said, A Stovebolt Chevy, you need to keep those jokers at 60 or below unless they have been really set up to run. IMG_0162 by Travis Brown, on Flickr Coming into town.... Minding my own business. IMG_0164 by Travis Brown, on Flickr I'm on my road, looking out the driver's window. IMG_0168 by Travis Brown, on Flickr Home is just ahead now. It over a few more little hills and around the curve. Home is different now. I have been worried about my mom and now I'm heartbroken. I have no idea what the future holds. Hopefully I'll get to keep it. Hopefully I can hold on to the little Blue Ford. If not that's OK. It made me happy this day and has made me happy many times before. It will like always, remain silent concerning those private times shared with me and its former and even future owners. That's what they are for, to bring a smile when you need one.
Beautiful! I think one of the reasons we are drawn to these old cars as mentioned, is the thought of the stories they could tell, the places they have been and the folks who rode along. Thoughts and prayers to your Mom. Mom's are special.
Thank you for sharing your story. With regards to the cars, definitely interesting to ponder the personal side of their stories. Somewhat related: Everytime I go to a car show I note something like: My friend had a car like this in high school or we had a truck like this on the farm etc. in the process it brings back all kinds of memories. Best wishes for your Mom and Dad. They have seen a lot over the years and hopefully they can share those stories with you.
Very nice drive along you’ve given us. It felt as I was reading a page of a chapter in a fine book. My best to you and your parents.
Travis, Thank You for your great story. You have given yourself some memories that will be you forever and you also gifted Your Folks with some of their own. Prayers for Mom and Dad.
What a nice story to start the day off today. I felt like I was along for the drive and visit with your folks. To be honest, I started to wonder if it was my own story other than a few small differences. I am also 50 and my brother is 4 years younger than me. My Ford is just a little newer, has a y-block and not a flathead, and likes to go a little faster. My folks live south and my mom doesn't seem to be doing too good anymore either so I often drive down to see her after church...in one of my old cars. It isn't cancer with her, but dementia. Anyway, thanks for capturing your visit in words and pictures. You summed up the sentiments of how these old cars play into our lives as well as anything I have read. Praying for your mom.
Thanks for ride and story, i have just got a 50 ford flathead, my first car was a 5 0 ford and i hope this one holds up to abuse like the other one did.
Great story thank you for sharing that. Sorry to hear about your mom she will be in our prayers. Lost my dad six years ago. Mom is still doing good for here age. she lives just down the road so I take her breakfast every Sunday morning and check on her. When the weather is nice I'll go pick her up in my 60 Buick and we'll go for a ride. She says the old car smell and riding in it reminds her of my and Dad riding in his old cars. Thanks again for that great story!!
Love it, and thanks so much 4 the ride.and x 2 on the God bless you..... Oh, and a big thanks 4 the train ride as I am an electric train NUT besides being hooked on flatheads. Help ... I'm addicted
Thanks for a well told story to start the day. Folks who have not experienced an old car will never understand the things you described but I saw, felt and smelled everything you described and felt like a silent passenger riding with you. Prayers for your folks, especially your mom. I’ve lost both and sometimes can’t bear to think of why I didn’t stop by to be with them more….. Thanks again
@F-ONE Thank you so much for the ride-along. Like you, I've thought many times about "the tales these cars could tell" and wondered what my '51 could whisper in my ear if I listened closely (or maybe it's that I don't hear what it IS telling me). Each ride in our 'hobby' cars has its own unique 'feel' and purpose, and leaves an impression only we understand, but in my mind, I AM sharing it with that soulful yet inanimate object. Some trips are fun and lighthearted, some are melancholy, some are 'just transportation...each is different, yet the same... A trip to visit parents is kind of the same scenario.... some are better than others, but there are also the constants and comforting aspects: the way your Dad performs his familiar magic on the grill and the special additions that only a Mom knows how to make (just the way YOU like it!), and your Dad providing protection for your Ford by offering up his pickup as a sacrifice to the outside world, just as he himself protected you (and still does). I haven't been able to visit my Mom and Dad for 30+ and 50+ years in person (may they rest in peace), but I do visit them often in my mind and through pictures (I'm looking at one of the three of us on my desk right now), and each visit is bittersweet in some ways, and things that were said or unsaid. Thank you for sharing with us, and best wishes and prayers for your Momma and Daddy...and you!
A Grand Story Indeed really started my day with an honest clean perspective of how life does give and take and we just all here together and sharing it we are on a grand adventure this life we have . Your right about the bias-plys it's a certain hanging with the wheel a slight drift I love it to makes you as one with the car and the digging in alot don't understand but they sure shot alot of movies with close-ups of bias-plies conducting a turn . The Flatheads my daddy and grandpa taught me to bring it up in second and keep the R's in third till you hit 50 that was with my 221 and am currently building my first 8BA I"ll be able to wring it out to 60 nice to know thank you . Prayers for your Momma from Erika and I we are sure wanting her to smile with a recovery if God let . A woman who can stew cabbage is tops with me and chicken livers done proper Mmm ! God Bless and a good day for you and thank you for setting the day proper
Thank you. How I wish I could go back and stay overnight with my folks. And of course driving the old car- that is still available to me.
Wow! Thanks, it’s my story too. I just don’t have the ability to tell it. Thank you. Can’t imagine it any other way.
Hope you dont have to sell...great story, lots of life and happiness and sadness, changimg of the guard in so many ways
Heart felt story - one that will hit home with most everyone in one form or another - wishing the best for your Mom & Dad, you and rest of Family
Sorry to hear this Travis. I don't want to sound like I'm treating your situation lightly, but sometimes stuff happens for reasons we don't understand and can't control. Don't beat yourself up, and don't blame yourself... we don't know what goes on in other people's minds, and generally speaking, we can't change their minds or thoughts. Take care of yourself and your family and do your healing YOUR way. Keep an eye on your Momma and Daddy and help them in their time of need. If you are a religious person, you know that things happen for a reason, and God has His plans for us that we may not understand (or need to). Don't keep things bottled up inside you, and remember you can come here as needed to speak to understanding ears. Good luck and keep on truckin'...
The Jalopy Journal
