There’s just something about the look and feel of a classic automobile. It has nothing to do with how old I am; it has everything to do with having good taste.

While I enjoy the feel and the smell of a new car, I have always longed to own a classic vehicle; whether it be car or truck.

During the recent Mardi Gras parade downtown, I did my fair share of catching beads, fighting with my children for the rare Moon Pie and longed for one of the stuffed animals thrown into the crowd, but when the classic vehicles of the Vicksburg Cruisers came rolling up Washington Street time stopped.

Not only did time stop, but so too did the parade because of one of the other floats or participants not paying attention to what was going on, but I didn’t complain.

For those few moments, I had the chance to look — and maybe drool a bit — at the collection of beautiful American-built history right in front of me.

I was born in the 70s, but other than the best rock ‘n roll coming from that decade (please don’t send letters to me on that; you know I’m right), it was not a decade known for its cars. In fact, nothing built since the 1960s has been a vehicle that in my mind deserved to carry with it an antique car tag.

Don’t get me wrong, I am sure the 1993 Toyota Camry you’re driving has served you well, and it does qualify for an antique car tag, but don’t get the two confused.

Maybe for those cars that not only rev the engine but can rev your soul, like a classic Chevy or Ford muscle car — Mustang or SS — the state should consider a special tag, more special than just calling it an antique. How about a “Classic” car tag?

True, cars today are far more fuel-efficient, they are safer and feature more bells and whistles than most can figure out or possibly ever need. Cars are Bluetooth compatible today and many have Wifi.

But is it wrong for me to want a car that has a gear shift on the column, high-beam button on the floorboard and might be able to pick up an FM radio station if parked right next to the transmitter? Is it wrong for me to want to be stopped at a red light, throw the car in neutral and rev the engine so the person next to me feels their fillings shake?

If that’s wrong, then — as they say — I don’t want to be right.

 

Tim Reeves is editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com.