Page 9 - Leisure Living Magazine August 2016

These Boomers Love
Their Dream Cars
By Joann Cummings, Feature Writer
Cars can be a legacy, a window into a per- son’s soul, a memory of an era when times were simpler and troubles were few. There’s something iconic about taking a car out in the summer, the windows open, the radio playing, and the world passing by. It’s a symbol of America. For those who own a special car, there is nothing quite like it. The car you desired when you were a teenager becomes attainable when you become an adult.
In June 1985, Allen Nickles was in the market for a sports car. He’s been a “car guy” his whole life and life was treating him well after years of hard work. He happened to be in Columbus and walked into a Porsche dealership. The salespeople tried to sell him a brand new model, but there was another man in the store complaining that he couldn’t get the trade in value that he want- ed on his 1983 911SC Porsche. Nickles made the man an offer and became the owner of the vehicle which was only one year old when he bought it. “I keep it in storage between October and April, but I drive it pretty regularly during the summer,” Nickles said. “It’s kind of my dream car. It’s some- thing I always wanted.” The Porsche is a quartz color. “If the records are right, it’s the only one left of that color,” he said.
Five years ago, he had the vehicle in for res- toration. “I’ve had 10 to 12 offers to buy the car for two to three times what I originally paid for it. That’s pretty amazing because cars aren’t sup- posed to appreciate in value. But that
car is not for sale.” He has
let his daughter and
son-in-law drive the
car. “If my daughter
isn’t good to me, it’s
not going to be in
her inheritance,” he
said with a laugh.
Like many of the
high-end sports
cars, the 911 is diffi-
cult to get into. “You
have to be nimble to
get in and out of it,”
Nickles said. “When I had a hip replacement, my biggest fear was that I wouldn’t be able to get in the car.”
Health issues play a role in other car fanciers’ lives as well. Bob and Sandy Brummer of Vermil- ion own a 2010 Rally Sport RS Camaro. “It was one of the first ones ordered in 2009,” Sandy said. She’s been a Camaro fan her entire life and con- tinues to be even though work keeps her from driving it as much as she might like. “I had a 1967 Rally Sport that I redid, then someone stole it the first day I had it out.” Her husband bought the new car for her after she donated a kidney to him. “He’s a Corvette person,” she said. “He had to sell his Corvette because of his health.”
John Nickel of Port Clinton is a car enthusi- ast who turned his love into a career. “If some- one wants a car I would build it for them if I am able. But I’m almost retired now, I’m just piddling around.” He’s built a couple of Model A pick-ups
Continued on page 10
Sandy and Bob Brummer of Vermilion with their Camaro.
www.LeisureLivingMagazine.com
August 2016 LeisureLiving | 9