by Bobby McCarthy
Copyright (c), 2003, My Daily Driver -- All Rights Reserved
Normally we use this column to take a look back at the times when our classic cars were built. However,
I would like to start a new tradition here at My Daily Driver. Since we are saying farewell to one year
and are on the brink of a new one, I would like to take a Rear View of the year past. 2001.
2001 began with the promise of being a better year than previous. But, then again, every new year claims
stake to that same promise. 2001 began cold here in the Northeast. Mike the original co-conspirator of
My Daily Driver.com and I spent January digging out our 30-year-old cars from repeated precipitation
accumulation. In early February, we began the layout for this e-zine.
My wife Patty is a big NASCAR fan and although she began following the sport only 6 years ago, she had
immediately gravitated to the Silver and Black #3. February 15th, a dark day for American
Motorsports and a racing nation grieved. The improbable had occurred right in front of millions of
viewers, the Iron Man, the Intimidator had died. As dark as that day was, we had no idea that even
darker days lie ahead.
In the spring the permafrost melted as the temperature began to rise. Same as the cost for a gallon of
premium petroleum.
As 2001 lazily slipped into summer, I began to attend and participate in all the Car Shows and Cruise
Nights in southern New England. I had always driven a classic car, but I was far too rebellious to
become involved in such structured events. Well, not until the summer of 2001.
This past summer was terrific. Everyone we met associated with classic car events were just plain
delightful, well except for Corvette owners. My Daily Drive.com was gaining a solid loyal readership and
I had the pleasure of featuring a few of my friends' outstanding cars.
As the summer began to wind down the unthinkable occurred. Americans were murdered in a cowardly act of
war. It would be impossible to capsulate all the emotions and loss associated with September 11th
within this humble column. But, nothing will ever be as innocent or quite the same again.
The months that followed were somewhat disjointed. Yes, we celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving, but
the topics of our conversations were never far from New York City. We are Americans and we dust
ourselves off and carry on with the business of being America. Our men and women of the armed services
are doing the dirty work now and we wish them safety and success.
As we close the book on 2001, we once again hold to the hope that 2002 will be better.
I know I am.

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