Ghosts of Cars Past

I hadn't intended to box myself into an existentialist corner when I tackled the problem of those wonderful old cars on display at the McIlvain Motor Co. I merely wanted to get pictures.

Two problems: #1, the owner died, apparently his heirs are not interested in continuing the business, and all is tied up in probate. #2, the showroom windows face south and reflect like crazy, resulting in images of cars past overlain with cars present.

So, the question is, dear reader, which car is the Ghost and which is the Reality, out there on the street.

The Triumph manages to assert itself! Lovely car -- we had a TR4 when we moved out here to Wilhoit; a car made for tooling back and forth on the White Spar. It was bright red

Here is the prize of the collection, however. Look closely through the reflection of here and now and you get the outlines of this beauty.

The photographer (me) managed to create enough shadow to bring out the elegantly upholstered seat. Red.

But, like the Cheshire cat, the car relic is less substantial than the reflection in the showroom window!

One of these days, the probate business will be settled and the question will arise of what happens next at the corner of Gurley and McCormick. In the meantime, hie yourself down there to lust after those antiques while it is still possible.