I was talking the other day to an acquaintance of mine at a local market, after I wheeled into a parking spot in my taxi. After the usual back and forth check up on each others families, he started asking questions about my car as he softly kicked my front bumper. Besides the kick, he said a few things that I purposefully neglected to tell him pissed me off. More often than not, most people pass off my choice to drive around in this old retired New York City cab as either interesting or eclectic at best. Deep down, it doesn't really matter to me and I know it doesn’t really matter to anyone else; I drive it because I love it – not because I expect others to love it. However, every now and then, some people say some of the dumbest things to me about the car, which no matter how it comes out, means one thing – which is that they think it’s a great big piece of harvested dog dung. So okay, I get it, the car isn’t for everyone. But acoustic guitars aren’t for me. Neither is football. Nor do I particularly care for escargot – I also hate sand in my toes and, lately - people in general. BUT, if it is something you very clearly like, I am not going to turn the switch to the "gonna tell it like it is" and state to your face that I don't think you should them. I might think it, but – I’m not going to judge you for it. So – besides the offensive brush of foot to bumper - a common theme here was mentioned by him…..the first thing he said, was the color was atrocious, and asked why I don't paint it (heard that one already a THOUSAND times). Next, was the mileage was so high that why don’t I sell it for parts (okay that was a new one). Third, it must be disgusting to sit in - and I couldn't pay him enough to sit in it (heard it a few times, and know it has been thought of a lot). I’ve touched on these points before in my write-up http://www.travelsinacab.com/1/post/2012/03/top-5-perils-of-owning-a-retired-nyc-taxi.html. In short, 1.) I like the yellow and the markings. It is the car’s identity. Without them, it is just another unmarked looking cop car, albeit a tad longer. I have a brand new unmarked cruiser for work in the garage – so no fun there (at least for me). 2.) The mileage is high indeed, but it runs great and I don’t care if the engine blows sky high – I’ll rebuild it if I have to – I am never ever going to give up on this car – and the more people verbally bitch slap it, the more I love it. What type of fool would buy a car, register and title it only to sell it for parts? LOL. Idiot. And disgusting? It is no more disgusting than a park bench, or a booth at McDonalds – it’s just a car and it was no more filthy than any family minivan I’ve poked my head into through the years. I’ve ridden in a lot of NYC Taxi’s, and don’t recall ever being in one that was offensively gross. I wanted to tell this friend of mine his breath and personality offended me, but – since I have COUTH, I didn’t. Let me put it this way. In the world of automobile enthusiasts, it is true my car is not yet old enough to be categorized as anything remarkably amazing. That is fine with me; I’m not looking to display it anywhere (although some places do, like the store in Times Square, Forever 21 has one in the downstairs floor. I don’t see any Subaru Outbacks on display anywhere). But what it does have, that no other car on the planet has, is STREET CRED. That’s right – it has respect, and I know it. When you pass a NYC Taxi outside of its home in New York, you know this is a car that has done, seen and heard it all. If cars could talk….. There cannot possibly be another car on this planet that has a harder life than a taxi - especially a NYC Taxi. Hard starts – hard stops – hard corners - all piloted by overworked, underpaid and irritable drivers. All day, every day. Every week, month and year…..year after year (although police cruisers do share some of the same work ethic as it's taxi brethren). My taxi has a very distinct honor that is bestowed upon it. According to the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission records, 8D69 was the oldest taxi in New York City from September to October in 2011. It is the last 2006 model year to ever operate as a taxi in New York City. 8D69 was a taxi from February of 2006 until October of 2011 – almost 6 years total, which is past the limitations of NYC TLC’s rules of 5 years or less if owner operated (an extension was filed and granted for it). I am quite certain in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, that any person who owned a former Checker went through the same litany of remarks I go through. Very likely, most people ended up deep sixing the cars after due time. Now – here it is in 2012 – somebody count how many NYC Checker’s are around. Not very many – and the one’s that are, grace magazines and are a hit at auctions. Here is another challenge – somebody find me a 1994 Chevy Caprice NYC Taxi. How about one of the thousands of Dodge Diplomats/Plymouth Gran Fury’s from the 80’s. How about just a plain old 10 year old 2002 Crown Victoria stretched NYC Taxi. GOOD LUCK. The bottom line is this. I love my car. I loved it the minute I saw it for sale. I’ve traveled to a lot of places in it that I am 100% sure it would not have cruised into if I had not bought it. I don’t buy things I don’t like. I also don’t make websites or write blogs about things I don’t like. And likewise, I don't insult others for things THEY like. So here is my deal. You let me like the things I like and I'll to do the same. Deal? PERFECT.
14 Comments
Shani
5/29/2012 07:34:44 am
:) I absolutely despise people that think anyone gives a flip about their opinions . self important blabbermouths.
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travelsinacab
6/21/2012 01:13:09 pm
Thank you Shani!
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NICE!! Yes indeed, when I think about it your blog post reminds me of a guy who worked the cab gimick pretty good... but he had a genuine excitement about the authenticity of a New York Taxicab. Shortly after he quit driving a taxi he purchased the last checker (err i dunno if it was the marathon-civilian- or the actual taxi model-A10- but anywho saw some parallels there that this guy, the hungry cabbie a.k.a. Famous Fat Dave bought the last checker off the assembly line, and pushes his business out of it. everybody raves about that checker, but the drivers who know, who had to drive it back then say that the rhetoric is a dream, that those checker cabs were hunks of junk that always broke down. so just maybe, perhaps, the crown victoria will hold a spot in everyones heart soon enough. I know there will be press when it comes down to the last 3 crown vics to hold on to the medallion, just like they did with the checker.
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noah
5/29/2012 09:00:38 am
oh btw, I didn't mean you weren't genuine with it. I just meant that his genuine feelings toward the taxicab were in contrast with his exploitation of the iconic driver for his fame, mixed feelings there, he does seem to be pretty decent. I just don't see the relation between taxi driving and food.
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Mike
5/29/2012 11:41:03 am
Oh no - I didn't take it that way at all. I'm certain the rhetoric IS a dream to those who likely spent more time on the side of the road than in the middle of it. It's like those Diplomats - I started my job with those old cars. They were total pieces of crap compared to what is available nowadays, but not that they are old - they are looked at my guys/gals my age with a twinkle in their eye. Makes total sense what you said! And oh yes....when New York is inundated with those hideous looking Nissan vans, those last few Crown Vics will be memorialized in the NY Times for sure! Enjoy yours while you can Noah! (even though it's killing you with fuel). And yeah - not sure what eating has to do with a Checker at all...not one bit. Gimmicks and schticks work!
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Carole
5/29/2012 12:50:14 pm
everyone feels entitled to an opinion about everything these days. Whether I straighten my hair or not - people have an opinion. I'm with you - I don't give a shit what anyone else thinks. Do what you love, be who you are. I can't imagine commenting on anyone's personal choice of automobile.
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travelsinacab
6/21/2012 01:12:35 pm
Thank you Carole - I appreciate your taking the time to give me your thoughts and goodwill!
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Kamikazi Watermelon!!!
5/29/2012 01:56:44 pm
Hey keep up the work on the site! Don't you ever paint that thing any other color!
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travelsinacab
6/21/2012 01:11:33 pm
Thanks Kami! - know you're car well! Until you provide a list of JC Whitney parts a mile long, you'll never win POTM! lol
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Lorry
5/29/2012 10:32:29 pm
They''re all evious because they have a boring life. They wish they could have your courage deep down inside! You've always been a little diffrent on things you like! Like wanting to buy a fly swater when when you went to the store with my brother and my mom. Most kids would have wanted to buy a toy! And when you played match box cars with my brother. You always want the cars no one would ever want to play with ! You're just a unique person Mike!
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travelsinacab
6/21/2012 01:14:25 pm
Thank you Lorry - that means alot! I AM unique....but so wasn't Jeffrey Dahmer. *Smooch*!
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Rich
6/8/2012 09:29:31 am
Fucking Hilarious LOL
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travelsinacab
6/21/2012 01:15:01 pm
Thank you Rich - glad SOMEONE laughs at my jokes!
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Judith Moisson
7/3/2012 12:26:16 pm
I love your blogs and I really miss your old Smart Ass Blog Kamikaze page, I used to literally spit food out of my mouth they were so funny. Good luck with your car it sounds like you're really liking it while others are not so much lol
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AuthorThis section of the site is not specific to my taxi travels. They are not really rants either. It is more of a space for me to simply raise awareness to topics that either inspire or frustrate me as an individual. Archives
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