Embellished with brilliant bows, vibrant lights, and Santa Claus, the 1965 Ford Fairlane Sport Coupe couldn’t look extra festive.
Though it’s lined with Christmas, the automotive’s identify is Curious.
George — the automobile’s proprietor — says he named the automotive that as a result of most individuals who method him in regards to the automobile don’t start their questions with, “what,” “why”, or “the place.” They are saying, “Hey! Interested in your automotive!”
“And my identify being George, everybody thought it was Curious George,” he laughs, whereas rolling up his sleeve to disclose an inked arm. “In reality, I’ve a tattoo of Curious George. So it’s a match!”
The match wasn’t made till after the day George was strolling alongside the sidewalk, about 30 years in the past — when one other automotive modified his life first.
“[A] drunk driver hit me,” George says. “Backed as much as see what he hit and ran over me once more.”
Whereas the scars from being screwed again collectively are like souvenirs from the years spent rehabilitating his physique, George has no mementos from the a long time he spent self-medicating his ache.
“I’d tried to stop quite a few occasions and it by no means caught,” George says.
“Sadly I misplaced a roommate to alcoholism.”
That have led George to hit his all-time low, so a co-worker advised they go for bike rides.
“To assist me get out of the home,” George explains. “As a substitute of sitting on the sofa consuming beer.”
George stored observe of his biking by way of an app on his cellphone, and noticed his rides improve from 18 kilometres to nearly 65 kilometres a day.
“I simply had a lot vitality,” George smiles, recalling his accomplishments. “I’m screaming and hollering, ‘I did it!’”
You see, throughout his months of day by day rides, George bought sober, which he says he’s maintained for nearly seven years.
Alongside a type of bike rides, he additionally noticed his dream automotive on the market — that Ford Fairlane — and purchased it.
“It was wonderful!” George smiles. “I used to be so proud of myself.”
After 25 years and not using a licence, George couldn’t really feel extra grateful to be driving once more.
“Daily I get behind this wheel is a day I haven’t drank once more,” he says.
George has additionally realized that daily is a present you can give to others. Now he frequently drives his automotive to help group teams, increase cash for charity, and assist strangers in want.
“It’s greater than money and time,” George says. “It’s for love.”
Which is why throughout the holidays, when you had been curious, the Ford Fairlane seems to be so festive.
“It’s simply to deliver smiles to folks’s faces throughout the season!”
