The Anatomy of Friendship

A little while ago, I was faced with tough choice. I had to decide on and if I should part with some cash.

This is a strange one so if you can bear with me a bit I will try explain.

I was recently offered R 55 000 cash for my Bakkie (Truck in American). This came at an unexpected time as my tires were getting to the stage where all 5 needed replacement (4 + 1 spare). I was hoping to get a few more months out of them, but they were becoming a liability. First I looked at it from a financial point of view, working out if it was better just to take the cash from the sale and move on or to keep the vehicle, as I know what problems there are. The devil you know scenario. I have no real brand alliance nor do I believe that any one manufacturer can only produce great products or visa versa. But this is not about a brand so lets move on.

This offer to purchase forced me to look at the hard facts and try make the clever choice. (Not forgetting a short list of modifications that include, upgraded stronger suspension, upgraded inter cooler, boost pressure as well as fueling mods and for a short time, water injection.) Due to the fact that its no longer needed and that the miles are adding up, I have wound back the performance and tune as I need.

Looking at this purely from a financial standpoint is all good and dandy, but there is a different more complicated way of doings this that must also be factored in. The human factor. This got me thinking. Is it at all possible to become attached to a inanimate object? This led me to think of some of the things that we have seen or done together.

Over 500 000Km traveled on everything from dirt, grass, mud, mountain passes and city roads. Witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets together. At least 250 meals eaten in the drivers seat, towed and jump started more cars than I care to mention. Waded through a river with water flowing over my floor pans. Been stuck sump deep in mud and sand. Been crucial part of numerous kayak and diving adventures. Carried a multitude of tools and spare parts as a call-out vehicle . I have also run her using all different types of fuel ranging from pump diesel, farm diesel, paraffin and home made diesel (chip fat and palm oil). Once in a pinch I even managed to make it home on a blend of petrol, engine and two-stroke outboard oil.

Together we have delivered 33 diesel engines and gearboxes for the marine fishing industry. Towed 2 x 11 ton 800kw generator sets into position in a basement parking lot, towed a few trailer mounted gen sets to sites, my brothers boat from place to place as well as helped pull out 3 boats and trailers stuck on the local slip way. Helped 9 people move house and towed my dads old camper/cars 7 times (even to a camp site and back once). Carried approximately 17 tons of fire wood, 11 tons of cement, stone, sand and building rubble.

We have also been through three proper prangs. I rear ended a small car. I fell asleep behind the wheel one night then hit a overpass bridge base. In the last incident I was hit by a 18 wheeler container truck whilst I was stationary at a intersection. All with miner damage and no injuries. All the listed above does not include all the miscellaneous items like stranded or broken down bikes, scooter, various pot plants,wood, engine parts, friends, holidays and assorted items loaded and moved from time to time.

Its scary to think she has Used 43 oil filters 51 fuel filters and around 265lt of oil with a estimate of around 42 000Lt of fuel consumed.

Looking back at that day when I ordered her in 2007 it seems so long ago, its hard to believe we have come so far and shared so many experiences together. It also seems strange that one can develop a relationship with a chunk of engineered steel and plastic. Its just the amount of time and great moments in and around that car.

Am I being a bit silly about this all?  But its just a car right! Or is there more too it? She may not be the best looking, the latest model or the fastest around, but who really cares as I do know one thing that she has been there from the offset. She is dependable and has delivered more than I could possibly ask for, even when pushed way passed design. What if I could bend the rules a bit and with a little stretch of the imagination, I then could without reservation call this car, MY FRIEND.

Actually thinking about it like this I cant see myself selling her any time soon. Decision made!  So I replaced my worn out 4×4 tires with smoother tread road tires.

Who knows what the future holds, I just hope I have made the correct decision. I feel that striking a balance between pure numbers and sentiment was the right call. How could I turn my back on something that has worked so well for me in the past.

 

If you have any item whether it be a simple knife or any tool that is just very familiar to you or something that you may even call “lucky” please share with me in the comments.

Thank you for taking the time to read this strange story.

Dan