No Way to Treat a Lady by CoreyBlack
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Description
This 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air used to run around my old neighborhood back in the 1980s. It was light metallic aqua and belonged to an old man who smoked Phillip Morris Commanders and refered to his car in the female pronoun. "Yeah," he'd say, "just had her tuned up and now she's runnin' great!" Or "She's a good old car." ETC. He was a local character, frequently cantankerous in that way that only old men can be, and somebody you'd see puttering around in his yard when you were out doing your everyday things.
We struck up an extremely casual friendship based on our love of old cars and the fact that I'd complimented him on the pristine condition of the old Bel Air. This akward aliance went on for nearly two years and then one day, while walking up the alley behind his house, I found the old Chevy in the condition you see here. It sat there for about 3 months and then disappeared along with the old man. In the more than two decades since I made this picture I've had occasion to wonder if the old man had been hurt or killed in the accident. Just another of the many mysteries that crop up in everyday life.
Photographed in the Saint Bens area of Chicago on December 20, 1986. I love the irony of the fact that a new car manufactured on the day I made this picture would now be as old as this car was then. As somebody (and I can't remember who) once said: Time doesn't go, we do.
Comments (13)
danapommet
A very sad story Corey, for both the old man, but also the car. And there "she" sits, trapped behind a chain link fence and then "she" disappears forever. Works well in B&W. Dana
efron_241
yea...we go indeed.. Time flies and we have to fly along.. There is a way to stop it.. but that would mean technologies we do not yet controlllll and once it stops.. who switsches it back on.. as everything freezes.. let's hope they do not invent that yet
Chipka
This is a poignant shot--because of the story behind it, but also because of the shot itself. The car looks forlorn and...well...wounded, and left to languish in the home for useless cars. Your story about the cantankerous old man adds an extra dimension to this. This is a marvelous shot. I like it.
dashboard_jehovah
Agree with all of the above comments...5+
KateBlack10
Love the title, narrative and shot Corey :) Really poignant story and picture- very nice
lick.a.witch
I have to say the only US cars I have ever liked are the old '30's bunch. Chrysler, Buick and Auburn top the list. Same goes for the rubbish they churn out here. Apart from the Morgan! I'd take one of those again in a heartbeat! This is such a sad image and touching tale. ^=^
auntietk
Everything has a story, and this one seems to have had a sad ending. Maybe someone has restored this beautiful vehicle. I'd like to think so. Your title reminds me of that Helen Reddy song. That ain't no way to treat a lady No way to treat your baby, your woman, your friend That ain't no way to treat a lady, no way But maybe it's a way for us to end.
durleybeachbum
A lot of questions to ponder upon.
flavia49
terrific shot!!
beachzz
And they locked her up and threw away the key. I'm with Tara, I like to think someone saved her, but that's probably the fairy tale ending. Great shot!
jmb007
bonne photo!
sandra46
WOWO POOR LADY CAR!
bmac62
Did we wear seat belts in 1962...not much. Did we wear them in 1962 automobiles in 1986...I think so. I began to wear them routinely in 1964. The good news here, no head impacted the windshield. For sure the old man is little more than a memory now and I am glad to see you thinking about an old friend... Neat pic with a backstory to fill in the cracks.