Viewpoint: I'm Not Really a Car Guy

Several weeks ago I wrote about some really great things that went on in the valley. One of those things was the car show sponsored by the Lion’s Club. It was great. But I can’t think of too many things that bring out my male insecurities more than a car show.

I know those of you who are regular readers know I grew up on a farm. But I just never got into the car thing. So I kind of worry that, as a male, I am grossly deficient. There I said it. Grossly deficient.

To make matters worse we ran into another couple we knew at the car show. He IS a car guy. Where I would point out an interesting car by saying something descriptive like,“See that really neat red one with the four tires?” He would say things like, “Look at that 1957 Chevy Coupe with the….., something about a number of barrels, types of carburetors, and dual exhausts?”

I was not in my element. But I tried. One particular car caught my attention and I went over to read the description on the window. As I wondered over there with purpose, not casually like a non-car guy, I mused out loud wondering what year the vehicle was.

My friend responded before I could get to the vehicle, “1938.” He was correct.

“You knew that?” I was amazed. “No,” he said. “Just messing with you. I read it on the license plate.”

Funny, but it really didn’t reduce my non-car guy anxiety.

I consider myself pretty manly. I played high school and college football. I wrestled in high school. I grew up on a farm. I still lift weights, run, and hike. When Lori is out of town sometimes I don’t shower, and even leave the toilet lid up!!! I occasionally belch loudly (although it is usually when I am in the car alone) and on those edgy days I won’t even apologize when my stomach growls.

I love meat, own and shoot guns, mutter a curse or two under my breathe once in awhile, and refuse to wear pink, or get a piercing anywhere near my ear lobe. But I just can’t get all that interested in cars.

The community I grew up in was pretty well known for the dirt track they had at the fairgrounds where they had car races. I went once in high school and they were really loud. It wasn’t that the noise hurt my ears but how could I talk to the high school girls above that racket? Girls were more interesting than cars to me.

I guess I’ll blame it on my dad. I don’t think he was much of a car guy either. Every car we owned was a Ford. Every tractor was an International. We even had the same kind of cattle all of the time. I guess I should take a course for non-car guys so next year at the car show I can amaze my car guy friends, I’ll get back to you on that.