One of the things I compromised on when I became nomadic was my car. I used to have an older sports coupe, my darling gas drinker, my Supra. I loved that car, I rebuilt the engine with my own two hands (and a bunch of tools). I loved driving that car thru the mountains, hearing the turbo spool up and feeling the thrust from those six cylinders. I spend time under the hood, finetuning. I spend more time than I should have under the car, fixing! She was a finicky bitch. Money in parts, in gas, time spend in a garage, with all my parts supply close, my network of simply knowledge I had built up.
I loved that deep red beast.
I sold it. I sold it for less than I felt it was worth, because I needed to get rid of it. I couldn’t afford to keep it up, to feed it parts and gas. I used the money to build the bus, my new home. I kept my old truck, the one with power nothing and rust holes everywhere. That ran, and ran simply. Sadly, my truck was not suitable for the summer heat. Good thing I spent the summer on a bus.
Winter passed, and my truck did me proud. Summer came, and I needed something to get me around town in the heat, when I was away from the bus. I began to peruse kijiji. There are many cheap cars on that used site, but you really are rolling the dice, even with some mechanical knowledge. I bought an 89 Civic for about the amount of one month’s payment on a nice new car.
Yesterday, I decided that I had taken the game little car for granted long enough. I had barely even looked on the underside, and that ominous clunking was getting louder. I can only stick my head in the sand so long. Besides, the 300 000 km mark was coming up, and I wanted to give my car a present. And keep it running.
When I got the car, it had scratchy fabric seat covers over the original vinyl. Dog got sick in my car while I was in a store last week, and the seat covers took the brunt of her misfortune. I figured it was a sign. I threw out the old ones and sat on cracked and ripped hot vinyl for a week. I clearly needed new seat covers before my upcoming 2 400 km trip. Too bad I needed to be thrifty, like a mother of six thrifty, in this aftermath of the Burn.
I found myself in Princess Auto, home of cheap tools and surplus. They had two choices for seat covers. Old man “velvet feel” for the wrong sized seat, or Taz for almost the right sized seat.
Then, I spied it. There, for bucket seats with detached head rests, just what I had. It bragged of a snug fit for “custom look”. It was cheap. $20 per seat cover. I debated getting just one. Then I noticed it came with a graphic on the front. Surely not…
Oh yes. A panther. And some words. How could I resist? There might even have been flames in the panthers mouth.
I carried two seat covers up to the register, and received the kind of surprise nomads thrive on, and seem to happen right when I need them to. Both covers cost $20. they had been half off, but not really well marked. I plunked down a ragged $20 and some change for tax, and proudly carried out my score.
They sat in my car for another day before I went to Justin’s shop to work on the frightening suspension noise. I decided to go all out, and vacuum the car even. There might be a noise grinding out from the driver’s front wheel over every bump, but those seat covers just begged to be installed. They demanded. I had no choice but to obey.
Once I cleaned out my car, and vacuumed up the debris left from the previous owner (maybe a little from me as well) I couldn’t wait to peel those “lush” covers out of their protective plastic box. I pulled the first one over the drivers seat, unrolling the graphic as I went. Bit by bit, it was revealed in all it’s glory. Oh yes, there was a panther. And what’s this? There is a banner at his feet, proclaiming his badassed-ness. There are flames. Not coming out of his mouth, but all around him. This panther was rampant on a field of flames. I strapped the flimsy elastic straps around the bottom of the seat, and stood back to admire my work.
The panther reached one mighty paw out, baring his teeth in a display sure to frighten away any would-be thieves. The banner proudly rolled below him, setting off the flames. A skull peeked out, just to leave no doubt. I looked at the new seat covers and I thought “that panther sure does have a defined ass.”
Sure, there might be a towel under the new cover to help cushion the cracked vinyl. There might even be worn spots on the carpet, the steering wheel, the dash… pretty much everywhere, really. But damn, those seats look sharp.
Anyone who doesn’t think so can have some panther. To their face. Flaming claws, watch out!
After a description like that, I know you want a picture. And I will oblige. If only to capture the awesomeness before the cheap print bleaches right off.
Flaming Claws, yo. Fear me!
I did make it around to investigating the noise. I had to replace the upper ball joint on the drivers side. It was about as loose as I have ever seen a ball joint be and not break. Whoops. Also, I did the brakes. They were used up, but not dangerous. Riders, You’re Welcome.
I must say, the civic is a damn sight easier to work on than the supra. I still love you supra, I’m just not in love with you any more.
Wherever you are, Be There 