Insight into an Old Cars reader

I’m a longtime subscriber and can’t remember when I started, but it was a gift to my father-in-law who passed issues to me, and then we switched spots. I now pass it to a friend.

I have a low-mileage, non-running 1979 Dodge pickup with a Slant Six. I bought the truck to assist with Home Depot runs when moving into new house eight years ago. I also have a

1999 Mazda Miata, which is exactly what I wanted and didn’t know I was looking for. I am of the bought-not-built category, and the Miata is modified; its turbo gives it over 200 hp, and it’s every British sports car I wanted in the ’70s but couldn’t afford. The Miata is also much faster, has airbags, power windows, real gauges instead of a modern in-dash screen and air conditioning (I in Arizona, after all).

I am perfectly happy with the variety of cars Old Cars features, even the brass cars. I admire the people who love them and I love their stories, but they just aren’t for me. I love most everything from the 1930s through the ’60s. I got my driver’s license in 1967 so I am partial to cars of that era, but I had a Corvair when others wanted muscle cars. My favorite real Cadillac has to be the ’62. It and a 1960 Chrysler are among the best cars for fins.

I do small projects, but have no desire to do a full restoration, though I like seeing other people’s progress.

I live 13 miles from Scottsdale, so I go to Barrett-Jackson every year. I don’t enter my car in any shows (I don’t have the patience to sit all day and have people tell me what’s wrong with it). I do go to three to five shows a year, some planned, and some when I drive past one. I count The Lane’s Rally for the Lane as a show — it’s the best one ever! I have driven in it the past two years and it is truly the most fun I have ever had driving a car. I only belong to one car club, the Classic Car Club of America, and someday I will go to the Hershey AACA meet and the ACD Club Reunion in Auburn over Labor Day.

And, yes, my garage has road signs, hubcaps and license plates on the wall.

Thanks for a great magazine, and please keep up the good work.