While reading about an event sometimes, I actually wonder if I was there,
or if I was someplace else. This past weekend we enjoyed going to the Mecum
Collector Car Auction in Anaheim. We had a great time, as over 200 vehicles
crossed the auction block that day. All types of cars, from a 1939 V-16
Cadillac, to a Googoomobile, from three Ford GT 40’s, to many Corvettes. It
seemed there was a car for every pocket, or line of credit, a 1976 Chrysler sold
for $750, and a short nose Ferrari from 1965 sold for $2.125 million! Prices
that when they were new would have been unthinkable, yet the desirability of
certain cars drives up the prices. Just because they didn’t sell once, they may
be rare now as a 1970 Hemi Cuda was. A no sale at $185,000. New about $6000,
if we had only known....I stood next to the sellers of a 1953 Cadillac
convertible, red and beautiful, that sold for $220,000. And the guy never
showed any emotion, his wife on the other hand was jumping up and down. Sadly
many cars will only become trailer queens, used only as an investment, which at
least is more attractive to look at than a stock certificate. And can at least
be driven in moments of weakness. But one 2005 GT 40 with only seven miles was
sold for $360,000, and as one guy commented, every time it is moved and gains
miles, the value goes down. A 1958 Corvette in Sunburst Yellow was a no sale,
it was beautiful. I was amazed at the overall high quality of cars and trucks,
from an Auburn to a Lincoln Continental from the 40’s, to an old driver ed. car
used in Mexico, with two steering wheels, one side was for the gas, the other
side could only use the clutch. Ah, the good old days. Conspicuous by their
absence were any Ramblers, Hudsons, although one Hudson pickup was there, I
still want one, some Studebaker trucks, no Kaisers or Frazers, and other orphan
makes were absent. Interestingly enough VW Beetles and Vans were there, one 23
window van bringing $150,000! My first house cost $45,000, but didn’t have as
many windows. But what has caught my eye lately, and I want is an old truck.
We once had a 1949 Ford F-3 pickup, and wish I hadn’t sold it. We cut wood in
it, Christopher used to play in it for hours, but we had no need for it. So we
sold it, wish I hadn’t been so practical that day. But trucks are hot, and can
be had, or could be had at one time cheaper than cars. But not this
weekend....
Growing up trucks were trucks, they moved things, built things, fixed
things, hauled things, and grew things. They were purpose built and many were
used up and parked, or used up and parted out. Six cylinders with three on the
tree, no sound insulation, and a rough ride...now they have replaced cars as the
most popular new vehicle sold, and ride better than most cars. So are priced
accordingly. We saw restored 1948-55 Chevy trucks for up to $35,000. Ford
1953-56 for the same price. Trucks that once worked hard, now are chopped,
customized, custom painted, and have big horsepower V-8’s installed, and are
only driven to cruise nights. Not the way we were, they are now the way they
weren’t. And maybe we are too, as the next generation will mostly find these
rebuilt trucks, and maybe wonder if that is how it was. How we were. And all
it takes is a little craftsmanship, an auction, and a desire, and soon history
will be rewritten. “Where have all the old trucks gone,” they’ll wonder. They
will have faded into history along with their owners. And new stories will be
written about them, stories told, and history changed. From a different
perspective, just not a true one.
Yet there were some survivors, one 1939 Chevy was repainted, engine
rebuilt, a steal at $12,500. Looked like a truck used to. A few older Chevies
also, still with the old Stovebolt 6, three on the tree, and repainted. Like I
remember them when they were new, and so was I. But in contrast two GMC’s, big
trucks were there, one with patina, and was cool, a 1948, the other a 1954,
redone into a car hauler. both cool, but one was an old workhorse, the other a
new one. Back when trucks had character, and weren’t pretty, these tow were
tough. As was also a 1930’s Ford, turned into a flatbed, but unrestored. I
still love the smell of old trucks. So they were there from cool to hot, from
old to renewed, from Ford to Hudson. Studebakers redone, how many of today’s
generation ever heard of them, yet in 1953 the company was 100 years old! So
for very purse and purpose there was something. And a good time was had by
all.
We even got to meet Dana Mecum, founder and President, a real nice guy.
And met many others whose passion is cars and trucks. Some for investment, some
for a promise made long ago, some day I’ll have one, and some just caught up in
the moment. A few I wish I had money for, both moments and promises fading
fast. Maybe the way we weren’t, or the way we wanted to be, but the way we are,
or turned out. More servants than served, we saw life from behind the scenes,
rather than from the stage. But maybe, we had the best seat in the house and
didn’t know it.
The first recorded miracle of Jesus, after his miraculous birth, we find
him at a wedding. He is about 30, his young mother in her mid 40’s. The
wedding has gone on for days, and the wine is gone. So she approaches her son,
asking him for more, knowing of his deity. And Jesus comes through, with a wine
like no other ever or now. A wine that wasn’t crushed, wasn’t purified, wasn’t
coddled along, and that wasn’t fermented. It was pure, as it came from heaven,
and was the best wine of the wedding feast. Even the guests were amazed, as
usually the good stuff is served first, but here the best was saved for last.
Yet only Jesus and his mother knew about it, not any of the others there that
day. With ne exception, the servants, as they had been told to fill the 6 casks
with water, and knew what they had put in them. They saw a miracle before their
very eyes, and didn’t know it was going on. Much like we live today, servants
wondering what is going on, when right before our very eyes God is performing
miracles. For the servants, not the served, but the ones low in stature and
spirit. For it was among them that Jesus felt most comfortable. While the
others were celebrating, they served. But our time is coming, and those who
serve God will have heavenly rewards. We will see Jesus face to face, and we
will experience miracles now. Just like there are many high priced cars that
never get driven, there are high priced people who never experience the things
of Christ. Sunday only, special events, and expensive banquets, they miss the
daily miracles of food, housing, and love because they have never never had.
They may drink of fine wine, but were never part of the vine, that Jesus tells
us we must be part of. Not to exclude rich from heaven, only saved people go,
but it is down in the trenches of life where the miracles are needed, and so
often seen. Where it takes faith, then obedience, then trust to just get
through the day. It is the old work trucks that saw the action, that somehow
survived, and tell us how it was. With only a few thousand Corvettes old each
year, many only dreamed, and still do. Yet the work horse, the servants, the
trucks were there...and so is Jesus.
Consider how blessed the servants were that day, they saw and knew of the
miracle. The guests only partook of it, knowing it was good, never knowing
why. But we do, and we serve that living, loving God today. Not because of
what he has done, but because of who he is. We see daily miracles, our daily
bread handed out as needed, and dreams come true, all because of Jesus. A
simple request from his mother turned out to be his first public miracle. The
miracles are still there today, are you seeing them? He ahs given us eyes to
see, open them in the spirit, they are everywhere. Some big, some small. Some
life saving, some life changing. Some just ordinary, but look at the little
ones, and you will recognize the bigger ones. The servants must have had
stories to tell when they got home. Some remember the day as the way it was,
some as the it wasn’t. How you remember Jesus is your best witness. “Do this in
remembrance of me..” he says. I wonder, did he bring the wine that night?
Jesus Christ, the way we are, fortunately we face the future the way we
weren’t. No orphans at the auction, nor are we orphans any more. We are
family, so enjoy the times now, and serve while we can. That’s where the action
is. That’s where Jesus is. And that’s where I want to be. And the best is yet
to come.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com