High Beams on Phil

This is what I hope will be the first of a few or many “Caught in the Headlights” A new feature, here on the blog, to spotlight club members. I recently had the chance to talk to Phil, owner and sponsor of the Old Farts Sports Car Club. He agreed to an interview and didn’t even ask me why I wanted to do it much less what I was going to do with the information. What a great guy he is, to trust me (well I have known him for a few years or so). Let me fill you in to what I found out…

Why did you start the Old Farts Sports Car Club; what inspired you? Phil has been a part of other car clubs and has experience in them. Basically, most other clubs are for specific makes or models, he wanted one that was for sports cars in general. A sports car is qualified as one that has high performance gear-you know what that is-engine, steering and or handling as well as having a sporty appearance. The reason he wanted it comprised of older people is that they are often more responsible individuals. {Here are my thoughts, they are less likely to have fisty-cuffs with each other or draw the attention of too many police officers.} Because of the diversity of sports cars we will not be limited to just a few owners in our area, instead we can have a larger group of folks to participate. That means, when a cruise and meeting are planned we are practicality guaranteed several folks will be able to participate. The diverseness of members will also offer more variety of ideas for places to see, visit and or things to do as a group.

What was your first car? Phil bought his first car in 1964 when he was a mere 14 years old—yes folks I said 14; not even old enough to have a driver’s license. Can you imagine, every boy’s, heck girl’s too, dream -- to be a car owner at 14. It was a 1957 Chevy Bellaire, black and white, red interior. I could hear the excitement in his voice when he told me about it and fondly remembered the old car. “It would be worth a lot of money now. If I still had it”, he said. But more then the possible money it could have been worth now, I heard the love of cars, the passion he has for automobiles. Phil bought the Bellaire from a local dealer, a beautiful car no scratches or dents, in excellence shape. I think he may have had a little trouble getting it home though, on account of it didn’t have an engine or a transmission. {surprise}I guess I should have asked him ‘how did you get it home?’ Why don’t you ask Phil. Any way, he found a motor and transmission from an earlier model at a nearby junkyard. Phil, with the help of a friend, was able to get them in and the car running just in time to get his driver’s license at the age of 15. Phil said, “I’ve loved every thing about cars since.”

Where do you like to cruise around? “Any forest” specifically Phil mentioned Palestine, and the Davy Crockett--Sam Houston National Forest areas. These types of great places offer some of the best sites of natural beauty in our amazing country. Beauty of one type or another can always be found regardless of the season or even the weather. I joked with Phil that the reason he liked driving through the woods so much is because he ‘could look cool while doing it and not get any bug bites.’ He said, “Pretty neat, huh”

On to some silly little tid-bits and pointless trivia type information that could motivate your conversation with Phil one of these days. Lets call it, What’s your favorite…
Food-Steak well done {Hey so do I and there is nothing wrong with it you vampires}
Color-Phil likes to say his favorite color is Clear. {I guess silver is as close as one can get.}
Season-Summer {Phil does not care for the cold}
Music-Soft music-as in not LOUD and prefers both Country and Western
Movie-at this time it is Walk The Line

What type of a person are you, a day or night? An all the time person {works day and night-business owner remember}

Do you have any allergies? Yes kind of, the IRS {one to which I’m sure we all share as well}

What is your biggest pet peeve? Phil said, “You know when you park your car way out in a parking lot, where no one else is parked. You go into the store or the restaurant then come out and some body parked right next to you when they could’ve parked a few space away. Why? There is no reason for it.”

With out thinking too hard, how would you describe yourself “Independent” was his very quick response.

Here is your chance to give any advice or recommendation you want “Short term note”

All in all I find Phil to be a fine upstanding person, generous in nature and truly a loyal friend, one I hope to have for many, many decades to come.