04/05/2023
We weren’t “Johnny One Notes” my dad and I right here at Collier Motors AMC in Pikeville NC. My father, Bobby Collier could fix ANYTHING. He would amaze me with his vast knowledge when we attended the Charlotte Auto Fair. He knew hidden details about all sorts of “ Off Brand” automobiles (Fords, GM, Mopar lol). I found this 68 Javelin (pictured) in Blountville TN back in the day. My wife and I drove it a little (our wedding day car was a yellow 68 Javelin manual). But NOTICE what other cars are in the picture: A Mercedes 380SL, a VW Cabriolet, a Cadillac Coupe de’Ville, a Ford F-100, a 68 Olds Cutlass Convertible, a Rambler Marlin 327 4spd.
People ask “Why didn’t you Keep up the Good Work?” THIS IS ONLY PART OF THE PICTURE: In God’s loving sovereignty I took a job at a Nationally Known Parcel Delivery Service to better supply for my growing family and to add my much needed structure to my somewhat dysfunctional personal life. I worked 6 days a week for them for 9 years to keep one foot “nailed to the floor” and have a dependable income stream. I was classified permanent part time Reloader and Next Day Air Driver. I started this job volunteering for every available morsel of work because the pay was good, and even though the job was the most challenging physical work I had ever even been exposed to, I found it was simpler and easier overall than the car business. The job was also the most sensible way to provide Health Insurance for my wife and four kids. ALL THIS while my attention to the dealership grew less and less. Yearly the property at our dealership depreciated almost equal to my income.
Then my “chance of a lifetime” came—to finally become the much envied Full Time Delivery Driver. Quickly and unfortunately, I found that the additional challenges of a late forty something/early fifty something doing the work better suited for younger men actually gave me less time for work and even home.
My Father faithfully worked into his mid-eighties every day at the garage for the few faithful customers who still depended on him. That changed in 2015 with his heart attack…….to be continued.
