I was working on the transmission today and had to make the unavoidable trip to Autozone for odds and ends. I guess the guys there get burn out hearing all the same, usual cars being listed off when people need parts.
It seems like every time I go there and say “67 Mercury Cougar” for them to type into the computer for the parts look up, they always seem to perk up and smile. It’s usually followed with the question of “Ohhhh, you got it parked outside?”
Today, the guy at the counter has a brother who HAD TO have a 69 Cougar Convertible that is being restored. It was the usual story of “2 weeks” becoming 2 years and A LOT more money than expected. The guy said its like going to visit a patient in the hospital when going to his brothers house and seeing the car getting the updates on the latest prognosis and procedures.
And he could have put both if his kids through college with the money spent on the Cougar, lol.
Glad to know our cars can easily brighten up people’s day besides ours.
I by a lot of stuff from the local Checker / O’Riley store. So they have looked up 1968 Mercury Cougar a ton of times. I drove one of the cars over there and they all came out to the parking lot. The funny thing is that they had been picturing one of the big girls, ('74 through about '77) and they had no idea what a '68 Cougar actually looked like. They get a lot more excited about helping me know that they have seen the car.
The moral to the story is drag the counter guys out to the lot and show them what you are working on.
There’s usually four computer terminals on the counter and three guys working. So, I’ll usually go to last keyboard on the counter and look up my own stuff. By the time they get around to asking what I need, I’ll just point to the screen. I’ve driven the Hero there numerous times and since employee turnover is constant at that store, there is usually a new guy who hasn’t seen it. His buddies will drag him outside.
I am finding that when I go into Bouchards Automotive they now call me by first name. readily tell me what is good or bad for what I am doing and are more than happy to look through old books and stuff. They haven’t seen the car yet, maybe I will show them pictures for now. But they know what I am doing and really seem to enjoy discussing it. Almost like they are excited like it is one of their cars! Kinda cool just the difference when asking about the cougar verses my 97 ford where it is a run of the mill type conversation.
I’ve driven the Hero there numerous times and since employee turnover is constant at that store, there is usually a new guy who hasn’t seen it. His buddies will drag him outside.