As we came to consciousness this morning, we each pulled out computers, furiously searching Craigslist for the last horse in this race. With no Mazda B2000s left in the area, each remaining option put one criteria or another on the chopping block: red, pickup, old, or standard (after the day at Harris Hill, it became a preference). It was brutal. Too few good options, too much rubbish to wade through, too few people actually willing to show me the car this weekend. Ultimately, I set two appointments, made contact with another four people, and we set off for Escondido to view a red 1988 Red Nissan pickup.
The owner and his brother (who translated for him) were kind people, excited to let Evan and I take it on a test drive together. It’s a little four speed inline four with spunk. For a vehicle lacking so many basics, I have to admit, it felt good. This model offered an optional tachometer; but it was an unselected option. The speedometer’s dead, which means no odometer. Temperature gauge is probably questionable. There is air conditioning, but the fan works, although there are no vent covers and the diverter doesn’t want to send air anywhere in particular. But the engine seems solid and it ran with spirit in the test drive. After a brief negotiation over the price, I decided to go for it. A truck in the hand is worth two in the urban sprawl. Or something.
To save face, I asked Evan to drive it out of the lot to an abandoned warehouse on the next block. There, I returned to Bo’s lessons, making first gear circles until I felt marginally less uncomfortable. With Evan riding shotgun and George rolling his eyes at me from the air conditioned rental, we set off into the neighborhoods of Escondido. That poor clutch. I got off to a very rocky start, but things improved. Slowly. Ultimately, George went back to the condo and Evan put me through more practice drills before we followed.
Back at the condo and flabbergasted at the depth of our insanity, we took a break. Evan and I went to a tire shop to make our cars mildly less hazardous while George tinkered with who knows what. Then we hit up Fry’s Electronics and AutoZone for a few supplies before an incredible dinner at Jayne’s Gastropub.
Returning home, we toasted our victory and christened the vehicles and upcoming excitement before turning in for the night.
