"It takes the patience of a panda breeder and pockets
as deep as the Mariana Trench to own a classic car".
That is how Ms. Jodie Harrison, the editor of MR PORTER's
Journal (http://www.mrporter.com/journal) described the owners of classic cars.
She is partially right; partially because I never thought
about what I have already spent on my car during the past 20 years (yes time
flew since I first acquired my 1961, Mercedes-Benz 180 in 1995) but truly I had the patience of a Panda breeder despite the so many feelings of resentment, discouragement and irritation I lived every
time my car refused to start, or that malignant oil leakage didn't stop despite
hours of work, or this rattling when passing on a small bump re-appeared
again...etc...however, at the end, always, something unexpected happens, a certain
luck, or coincidence brings the solution to the problem, makes me learn something
new about my car and allows me to meet new experts enriching my mind with new
stories...
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| Small villages' roads makes me live the Pontons era |
Then comes that sunny spring day on that open road with
the special one whom you know is just enjoying the ride because you do, that
day that makes one forget all the pain and value the fact that he owns a superb
classic car. Nothing compares to the feeling of driving on that small
mountainous road, with an awesome scenery and some nice music radiating from
the Becker Mexico tube radio...On these roads one values nature,
values the machine he possesses and feels how each and every one of its
component is performing.
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| Beautiful drive and weather with rejuvenating mother nature |
Last Sunday, I decided to go on a road trip with Dona. We
decided to visit the Barouk Cedars Reserve and the Chouf region surrounding
it.
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| With the famous 2000 years old Cedrus Libani |
I drove my Mercedes-Benz 180 all the way there; at an
altitude of 1500 meters above the sea level, we enjoyed the clean air, the old
cedars and the few stone houses that have passed the test of time...
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| At 1943 meters above sea level |
After every road trip, every drive, every reparation,
maintenance, waxing...etc. I become more and more aware that truly
"classic cars are a love affair; they require consuming desire and
dedication..."
