Polishing a Classic

In December of 2007, I purchased a car. It wasn't terribly expensive or brand new, but it was silver, shiny and fully loaded...leather seats, a sun roof and a great stereo. It was fun to drive and I was proud of my purchase as I exited Granger Motors that day.

Nineteen months later, my little silver Kia is still reliable, but it has lost its lustre. It began to decline in value as soon as all four wheels touched the street. An abundance of wildlife in the area has taken its toll. The driver's side is dented (a deer) and the grille is cracked (a raccoon). The leather seats are showing signs of wear and I've logged far too many miles chauffeuring family members around. My debt exceeds the car's value, and so it will continue to carry me on my daily commutes until it no longer runs or I can afford to trade it in. Why do we invest so much into something that loses its value over time?

As I ask myself that question, another silver car comes to mind...

When I was about twelve-years-old, my family purchased a 1957 Chevy Bel Aire. It had good bones, but the body was rusting and without proper care, the car would continue to deteriorate.

Over time, we restored the car. She had many miles on her odometer, but OH how she shone! I was proud to stand in the front yard with a garden hose and a bucket of suds, gently washing away any traces of dust. I'd then spend hours polishing every nook and cranny, secretly hoping my friends would go by and feel envious of our rare beauty.

We took her to car shows and people admired her. We took her on Sunday drives and exposed her to the countryside and fresh air. We protected her from harsh elements so that she would remain unscathed. Instead of declining in value, her rarity made her a sought after prize.

On one sad weekend, my father let her go. He had received what he felt was a reasonable offer. Since that day, we've all had regrets. We never should've let that one get away...