Part 1
I was in Montreal this weekend at my dad's place. Between working on his Carrera and going downtown for the Grand Prix events, one of the things on my "to do" list was to check out my dad's neighbor's basement.
She's in her 80's, but we could only hope to be as fit, alert and active when we're in our 60's. I met her last summer... she was out for a walk and saw me working on dad's car in the driveway. She came over to chat about cars. She and her husband had owned a really amazing series of sports cars over the years, and it was a shared hobby they both enjoyed. He died the year before.
Dad and his wife have her over often. While I was visiting this weekend, she came over for supper. While other chatted about kids, dogs, houses... she and I kept veering back to talking about cars. Smart, witty and a good sport... I have a bit of a crush on her.
She brought over some pictures of the cars they owned over the years. How's THIS for a "wish list":
- Jaguar XK 120 very early aluminum body
- Mercedes 300SL gullwing (black)
- Porsche 356A coupe
- Porsche 356C coupe
- Karmann Ghia w/ Okrassa supercharged engine
- Lamborghini Jarama
- Lamborghini Urraco
- Fiat Dino Coupe (holy %#$@ that's a pretty car!!)
- Alfa Romeo 2600
- Alfa Romeo Montreal
- Maserati Ghibli
The next day we went over to her place to sort through some of the tools and parts he had. It had already been picked through by some family and neighbors, but none of them were really into cars. She just wanted it to go to an enthusiast, I and left with A LOT of stuff.
It was kind of uncomfortable, really... sorting through a lifetime's worth of tools and spare parts. The guy kept an imaculate, organized shop. I felt a bit like a tomb raider, especially when I came across his "homemade" tools: cut down tools for tight corners, and things this valve adjustment wrench:
I think it was a bit cathartic for her, having somone go through the tools and talk about them, instead of just selling them off to strangers at a yard sale. Some tools she'd recognize and relate a story, other's I'd identify and say what it was for. That would trigger a story about a certain car or a certain trip.
At one point we were pulling down boxes from the rafters, and I spotted an old wooden box and pulled it down to have a look. It was his childhood meccano set. She had heard about it, but never seen it in their 40+ years of marriage. She wept.
It was an emotional moment, that's for sure. The whole morning was very touching, actually. This wonderful woman didn't just tolerate her husband's lifelong hobby, she enjoyed it with him. They shared it.
Seeing those tools, the car pictures, hearing her stories... it was very striking. It made me think about how much my wife tolerates my car fiascos and fool's errands. No, not tolerate... supports, and perhaps even enjoys. Was this MY wife in 50+ years?
The whole experience made me very appreciative of Mrs Notfarnow. I think many of you can relate.