How to See What Was Really Happening (Patreon)

The car was a 1978 Subaru DL Wagon. It was not, by the standards at the time, impressive. But it was a GREAT car. Dependable, economical, pr

The car was a 1978 Subaru DL Wagon. It was not, by the standards at the time, impressive. But it was a GREAT car. Dependable, economical, practical; none of the things an eighteen-year-old guy wants.

One of its interesting quirks was that the spare tire was stored on top of the engine. There was a mounting point that held the wheel and the jack secure and safe there, where it didn’t cost any storage space. I thought it was pretty slick, but more than one high school classmate service-station-parking-lot gawker thought I had just thrown the spare on top of the engine because I’m stupid.

That Subaru cemented a lifelong appreciation for tiny, practical cars. Don’t get me wrong, my head turns for Ferraris and Jaguars as well, but show me a beautifully maintained old Citroën or Fiat and I, as one of Seattle’s greatest men of letters once put it, “Get sprung.”

Recently, while walking down the street, Missy and I came across a beautifully restored old Isetta microcar. I stood there, mouth agape. Another grey-bearded goon stopped, and even though we did not speak the same language, we exchanged a look that clearly communicated the idea, “Is that not the coolest thing ever?!”

Missy laughed out loud at us, as did his wife. It seems male-dorkery transcends all language barriers.