My father’s journey through life was reflected in the cars he owned. From a Fiat 850 to a Porsche 911 Carrera Targa, each car told a story of his career, personality, and the times he lived in. His love for cars was evident in the way he made bold choices, sometimes practical and sometimes not. He appreciated design, luxury, build quality, and reliability, even during the Malaise Era when these attributes were hard to come by.
The first car I remember was his triple-red fuel-injected 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. He rushed me to the hospital in that car after I accidentally cut my arm, and I can still remember the speedometer hitting 100 mph and the theme from The Godfather playing from the 8-track. It was a symbol of his success in America.
As he navigated through life, his cars changed with him. From the Oldsmobile Toronado diesel that he despised to the Porsche 911 that he loved, each car represented a different chapter in his life. The Nissan Maxima SE was his all-time favorite, a car that was relatively affordable, attractive, fuel-efficient, and reliable. It was a symbol of his practicality and love for a well-made vehicle.
Despite not being a typical car enthusiast who quoted acceleration times or attended Cars & Coffee events, my father appreciated cars in his own way. He lived a life without fear, making bold choices and following his own path. His cars were a reflection of his personality and values.
As I look back on the cars he owned, I realize that they were more than just vehicles. They were symbols of his life, his achievements, and his spirit. Each car had a story to tell, just like my father did. I will always cherish the memories of riding in those cars with him, feeling the power and freedom that they represented. My father may be gone, but his spirit lives on in the cars he loved and the memories we shared.