clark17357 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Six months ago, we got new neighbors -- a Marine pilot and his family. A few months ago, his wife's Dad ("Hop" Hopkins) was in town from Virginia (retired Navy and works for the Veteran's Department now). I was working on the Shelby in the driveway and he came over and introduced himself. One thing led to another and I took him for a ride. There is an on ramp near the house that is uphill and where you can take the car to boost, get all over it, and slow back down before being visible to those on the freeway. You get the idea. We returned from that trip and he was in awe of the car. As we talked, it was was revealed that he was an historic gearhead whose first car, as a married man, was a 1965 Mustang. He talked with fondness of those years long ago (the 60s) when he was really into cars. Two days ago, he and his wife came into town to stay with his daughter and the kids for two weeks. Jano, a helo pilot, is deployed to Iraq. When Hop got here, I had the car in the driveway again and he came over to admire it. He mentioned that he had talked about the car with all his buddies back in Virginia. This morning, I took the car out for a spin. Just a beautiful Southern California day -- temperatures in the 70s and bright sunshine. When I got back, I picked up the phone and called Hop. I did something I had never done before. I asked him if he and his wife wanted to take the car out for a drive, just the two of them. After confirming I was not kidding, he accepted. I watched as my car disappeared down the street, turned the corner and was gone. An hour and a half later, they were back. We all know these cars are special but forget just how special. Something told me to make that phone call this morning and trust that the car would be fine. Both Hop and his wife came in the house and told us of their drive. They talked of driver after driver giving them a thumbs up as they cruised north on I-15. They talked of how the car felt and how it sounded. They talked about what a good time they had -- kind of like when they were first married and had that '65 Mustang. As they were leaving, Hop said, "Jim, I never, in a million years, would have thought I would have the chance to drive a car like yours. It was a dream come true." And he meant it. Sometimes we forget all the other gearheads out there. They may have moved on with their lives but they have not forgotten what it was like to drive a muscle car and how GOOD it made you feel. I felt like I had given a gift to them that took them back 45 years. Like I said, I never thought I would hand my keys over to somebody, let alone someone I did not really know all that well. But gearheads can tell when they are talking with other gearheads and Hop is one through and through. Can't say I will ever do that again, but it was worth it to see their faces when they returned. It was a special moment in time. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT/SC2873 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 That is so cool Jim. Can you imagine the discussion with the boys when he gets back home? I can hear them now, "no way"! I think you made the right call and that will be something they remember for a long time to come. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevhead20 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 classy, Jim Well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBRA SCOTTY Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 AWESOME STORY JIM, AND ALSO AN AMAZING LEAP OF FAITH. YOU MY FRIEND ARE A TRUE PATRIOT AND IS WHY I AM PROUD OF PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF AND OUR GREAT COUNTRY. SCOTTY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shlbylvr Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 What an awesome thing to do.. I bet they'll be talking about this for years to come. Heidi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri Leicht Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 that was a great thing to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Jim, Not many folks can do what you did. My hat goes off to you sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildAzCat Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 I got chills reading your story.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Cool. Neither of you will ever forget it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastor Passum Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 What a Great story Jim. Thanks for sharing. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY500SS Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Well done Jim. Very nice deed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackVert Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Very touching gesture- inspirational, even! Thanks for sharing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipBeck Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Jim, A great read. A good deed done for an older veteran. A fine piece of writing to boot! I really enjoyed reading that story. Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby101 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 That little feat just shows why AMERICA is the best place to live. Nice going Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertlane Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Sweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08SGT1977 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 They will never forget that. Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT4578 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 thanx for sharing, Jim. Damnit, I guess im the only one to turn you down, sorry. It wont happen again. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraCrazy Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Very Cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormeaston Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 That was a nice thing you did there, everytime I do something like that they smash it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejrail Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Good job, Jim. :happy feet: Your story made me think about the car I learned to drive in, my mother's '67 Mustang 289 coupe. I met my wife in that car and we had our first date in it. Even though I was a GM guy for ever, I guess I've always had a spot in my heart for Mustangs. Buying my new 2007 SGT 16 months ago like was buying a time machine. I can step back to the sixties any day I want as I am still married to my high school sweetheart and I finally have a Mustang in my garage. I can only imagine how Hop and his wife felt crusing down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Knudsen Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Way to go. There are many gearheads who have had to let go of a car or cars as life moves on. It is nice when those of us that have cars that others would love to drive share the keys once in awhile. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUFDRAFT Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Good Form, my brother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss Doctor Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Very cool, Jim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SicShelby Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Way to go. There are many gearheads who have had to let go of a car or cars as life moves on. It is nice when those of us that have cars that others would love to drive share the keys once in awhile. Bob Couldn't have said it better - +1!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kstrong Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Way to go! Feels good helping others, Eh! :happy feet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shel-b001 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Nice touch. Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingram4868 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Good people can do great things. Thanks Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKE08 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 I got chills reading your story.... Me too! I know it gave you a great feeling and it's a good reminder for us to know we find our greatest joy in serving others. Jim, you are a great example of what we are here for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig-It Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Top notch Jim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frydguy79 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 wonderful JIM :happy feet: i have done the same thing and wow it makes you grin when they come back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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