Ramblings at Random

by Dean Sprague

It was the Little League season finals, bottom of the seventh and final inning. We were one run ahead. We had two outs. There were two men on base. I was standing in the middle of center field on a beautiful summer day. I heard the crack of the bat then saw the ball screaming toward me. I raised my glove as the ball climbed and climbed until it centered itself in the middle of the sun where it promptly disappeared. I strained my eyes looking desperately to find it. It seemed the laws of physics were defied. Somehow the ball went around my glove and I was left feeling nothing but the cool grass on my back. When I awakened I had the taste of rust in my mouth, created by a bloody nose, and was left with the reality that we had lost the game (and the season) thanks to me. I had become ‘Charlie Brown’ desperately seeking a do-over.

I guess we have all had times when we would give anything to have a chance to do “it” again. Whatever it was. I was thinking about cars that I have owned and wished I had kept. I bet we have all had at least one vehicle we would like to still see sitting in our garage. I know it was probably liquidated for good reasons. Well, they seemed to be good reasons at the time. We needed the money, it needed work we couldn’t afford, had to have a car we could drive or maybe we just got tired of it not realizing what we had until it was gone. All good reasons I guess. In reflection, I think I have experienced them all.

If you had all the money in the world and could have any vehicle you wanted what would it be? Would it be the one that got away, something you always wanted or, if you are a bit fickle like me, you don’t know what you always wanted until you see it for the first time. In my case it might be the one(s) that got away. Back in the 80’s I had a completely restored (mostly by me) 1967 Series 1 Jaguar E Type roadster, factory original bright red with black interior. It had thirty five thousand original miles on the clock with all matching numbers and it was perfect. In fact, when finished, it even took First at very close to 100 points at the SE regional JCNA awards. It was a joy to drive. It was even a joy to just sit in, smell the rich Conley leather interior and enjoy the perfection. Problem was, it was too perfect. When it rained it took about a week to clean the under carriage alone. Ok, so I am a little OCD. At the time I had small kids, was building a business, had lots of bills and a need for a practical work/family car…so reluctantly I sold it. All good reasons I guess but I really would like to have her back, exactly the way she was…absolute perfection. I guess that would require a do-over or a time machine. It seems that nothing ever stays the way it was except maybe in our own minds. Ever awaken sleepy-eyed in the morning and become startled by the old man in the mirror wearing your pajamas. Where did he come from?

The other car I remember very fondly was my first “new” Jaguar, a 1970 E Type series 2 roadster. I bought it at a time when I could ill afford it but I was weak (still am I think) and it was brand new and beautiful. The XKE was getting “long on the tooth” by the 1970s so Jaguar had dropped the prices a bit but the discounts were even better, especially for a left over 1970 model in mid 1971. I still remember reading the window sticker, actually reading it over and over. I remember opening the bonnet and staring at the shiny oil free engine for hours on end. I was the first to remove the plastic from owner’s manual and open the tool kit. Actually, I was the first to do everything. It had a “new” smell that was so wonderful it can’t be described. Everything was absolute perfection. I couldn’t believe I really owned this sports car! Neither could my then-wife, which was the first major problem. It seems I failed to discuss the purchase prior to acquisition. Since it cost more than our house and the payment was even higher, this became a major source of dispute. The other problem, “newness” wears off quickly. I had forgotten this until just now but when the warranty expired the engine began seeping oil from every crevice and rather profusely from the rear main. Things began to go wrong everywhere and the wiring, let’s just say there were continuous issues. You know, come to think of it maybe we should take this one off my dream car list. Gilda Radner may have said it best, “never mind”.

Upon further reflection if I could actually have whatever car I wanted, maybe a new car with all the modern technology and reliability might be better. Have you seen the pictures of the coming soon 2016 Aston Martin DB11? It will have lots of carbon fiber, a turbo based V8 or V12 and the smoothest, sexiest lines since the XKE. I hear that engineer Matt Becker, after 26 years at Lotus, has come in to help develop this and other next generation Aston Martins. This should make them even more extraordinary. You will see it (mostly) in the new James Bond movie “Spectre” clothed as a DB10. I may look older in my pajamas but I certainly wouldn’t in this car. In fact, I think I might look at least ten years younger. Well, I bet I would! I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful car except maybe when I was 13 years old and saw the début of the new Jaguar XKE. I remember telling my friend David, “Someday I will own one of those”. Anyone have access to a good running time machine? No? It’s just as well. I think our memories may be kinder than the realities anyway.