Car d’Lane brings memories of Olds

I’d never run across a 1954 Oldsmobile at a car show until Car d’Lane this past weekend. But just a glimpse of that gracefully curving post-World War II hood stopped me cold. With its oversized emblem of the Western Hemisphere confidently stuck in front and a soaring rocket ship perched on top, it sat ready to boldly propel its passengers “somewhere, out there,” just like Mom’s ’54 carried my brothers and me around so many decades ago.

Mom loved Oldsmobiles, starting with her beloved 1949. That one had a racing past. On more than one occasion, she’d put her foot down like a NASCAR driver on the last lap, then hit the brakes and curve gracefully onto our street and into the driveway. She got caught once, but she later recalled how she sweet talked the policeman out of a ticket.

All that made a really big impression on a 7-year old. Perhaps that’s what led me to push my four-carburetor Corvair past 100 mph on public roads a couple times when I was old enough to know better.

I quickly slowed down and never did get into classic cars or hot rods, but I sure love the work of others, and was there a lot to see at Car d’Lane! The creativity, dedication – love, actually – was astounding.

In fact, after seeing all the shiny paint jobs and careful attention to detail, I realized that any woman worried about keeping her husband faithful ought to get him into this wonderful hobby. She’ll always know where he is and what he’s doing and who he’s with.

And these are real nice and friendly people, too. She’ll just need to keep a careful eye on the credit cards and accept the fact the garage might be just a little full and a tad chaotic at times. Of course, it works both ways. Women can spin a wrench as well as any man.

And, as Mom demonstrated so long ago, they sure know how to drive!