by Jay Kerner
Well, it’s time to find another $100 car again. I started to say this was a relatively new phenomenon, but it’s really not. I started out with $100 cars. The first one was a 1964 Buick Special I bought at 16 with money I made working at Miller’s Grill. (Still the best tenderloin I ever had). It was a honey with custom plastic slip covers that left brand new upholstery when I cut them off.
There was a series of junkers and clunkers after that until I started making better money, and eventually qualified for my first car loan. From that point it was twenty-five years or so of ever increasing car payments. As my income went up, my payments did too. It was so, so, easy to rationalize why I needed a new car every couple of years. Heck, I worked hard. I deserved it.
About ten years ago I started a business that worked with car dealers, and I began to notice something; most of the mechanics and body shop guys drove old beaters. As I got to know them better, I found out that their wives all drove nice cars, but the guys themselves didn’t. I wasn’t sure if my self esteem could take the hit, but I decided to give it a try.
The first candidate was a 92 Saab. The couple who owned it hit a deer, but they were able to drive it home. They were shocked when the insurance company totaled it, but the cost of luxury import parts took care of that. I bought it and pieced it back together with parts from junk yards and eBay. It was a good, dependable car for over two years; until I sold it to a kid we knew who needed some wheels. He’s still driving it.
Since then I’ve had a succession of other jewels. There was the 91 Toyota that I drove two years then sold on eBay to a guy from Indiana. There was the S10 pickup with the bashed in drivers door. A replacement from the junkyard, and I was good for another year.
At first it was almost a game. What can I find next? After we opened the drive-in theater and reduced my income to practically nothing, it was more of a necessity. Now I’ve started another new project with The Regular Joe, and while we are cautiously optimistic with the progress, we’re still too nervous to take much in salary yet for all the crazy hours it takes to put out a bi-weekly paper. Thank goodness I’ve got an understanding wife with a good job, who helps support my entrepreneurial notions.
So here’s my shout out to the readers: What old car have you got sitting around that you would part with for $100? I know there are some out there. And you know what else? I know there are a lot of other people in circumstances far worse than mine, who could use a break on a car too. That’s why I’m starting The Regular Joe $100 Car Club. (I’m not just the president, I’m also a member!).
Maybe you have an older car that doesn’t get out much anymore. Maybe something with minor damage you never got around to getting fixed. Maybe you are a senior whose time behind the wheel is passed. Maybe the cost of gas has you riding the bus. Perhaps you are a new or used car dealer with a trade-in that doesn’t fit in with the nicer units on your lot. Whatever you’ve got, call me at 364-4JOE. I bet we can find a home for it.
And on the other side, maybe a $100 car would make a real difference in your life, or that of a loved one. If so, send me a letter with your story, the more details the better. (Our mailing address is on page 3). The staff at the paper will review all applicants and try to match them up with whatever cars come in. Helpful hint: I’m always a sucker for struggling students and single moms.
I know in other cities they have programs that operate as charities all year long to give cars away at Christmastime. We’re not that organized. But as I always say, nothing happens if you don’t try stuff. Who knows, maybe I’ll get 100 requests, but no cars. I’m guessing that won’t be the case.
As always, I’m betting on St. Joe. I’m counting on the generosity of local people this holiday season to see if we can do some good. What do you say?
On another note, I’m sorry to say we had to postpone our No Office- Office Party. After announcing the event and doing our best to get all the downtown bars to jump on-board, we found out that was the same night as the Punky Brewster Holiday Show Retrospective on cable. It would be foolish to try to compete with that. We promise a more coordinated effort next time.
A positive from the experience is a potential new nick-name for the district. DOJO. As in Downtown, Joetown. Like it? Feel free to use it, and let’s see if it sticks.