When someone you love passes away, they leave behind memories, other people, and things. Sometimes they leave behind unfinished projects… In Jim’s case, he left behind his dreams on four wheels.
Among the many things that James Jimmy left to me are two vehicles that represent much more than steel, paint, tires, and engines. They represent his passion, his love, and the countless hours he invested in pursuing their perfection.
Now they represent a promise and one that I intend to keep.
The 1969 Firebird
Of all the things Jim loved, few brought him as much pride as his 1969 Pontiac Firebird. I still remember the way Jimmy experienced “The Bird” and sometimes he would call it “Tweety”. He could spend hours discussing a single detail or the engine that he meticulously constructed in Junior College. He would describe everything as if the car was already done in his mind. He would begin with piece of trim, the perfect paint finish, or a mod most people would never notice like a valence under the front lip. What captivated me wasn’t the car itself, it was how much he loved it. It was the pride and excitement in his voice whenever he talked about making it just a little better.
It was his first car.
Not just the first car he owned, but the car that stayed with him throughout his entire life. While most people eventually move on from their first vehicle, Jim never did. Instead, he spent years restoring, improving, refining, and perfecting it.
The car is nearly complete.
In fact, the overwhelming majority of the restoration has already been finished to a level that exceeds what Pontiac delivered from the factory. Every detail reflects Jim’s standards and his vision for a car with a modern twist. But “nearly complete” was never enough for Jim. He was always chasing the next improvement, the next refinement, and the next detail that could make the car just a little bit better.
There are still things that need to be finished.
- The headliner.
- The door panels.
- The alarm.
- Keyless entry.
- The trunk release.
- The mirrors.
- Power windows.
- Carpet.
- Seat belts.
- Seats.
- Side mirrors.
- Center console.
- Radio.
The list is not that long compared to everything that has already been accomplished, but those final pieces matter.
They matter because they mattered to Jim.
I owe it to him to see this project through to the finish line.
- I will not compromise.
- I will not cut corners.
- I will not allow cost to become an excuse.
Jim never let those things get in the way. Whenever he wanted something done correctly, he found a way to make it happen or wait until he could. The result mattered to him and the pride in the work put into it mattered to him.
Jim’s Firebird deserves nothing less than what he had planned for it.
When the day comes that every detail is complete, I know exactly what I will see. I won’t just see a random muscle car…
- I will see thousands of hours of Jim’s life.
- I will see his dedication.
- I will see his persistence.
- I will see his passion.
- Most importantly, I will see my friend.
The Firebird will never be sold, not next year, not ten years from now, and I mean not ever.
It will remain in my care for the rest of my life as a rolling memorial to the dude who loved it enough to spend decades making it extraordinary.
The 1964 International Scout
The Firebird is not the only project Jim has now entrusted to me. He also left me his 1964 International Scout. Like the Firebird, it is another project that captures who Jim was.
The Scout is approximately 90 percent complete. Powered by its four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, it represents a different kind of automotive passion. It is rugged, simple, and unique. In many ways, that sounds a lot like Jim.
- He saw potential where other people saw work.
- He saw possibilities where other people saw obstacles.
- He loved bringing things back to life.
The Scout still needs its final chapter to be written. Just as with the Firebird, I intend to finish it to the level Jim envisioned, not my vision but his.
Every decision I make along the way will be guided by a simple question: “What would Jimmy have wanted?”
Because this is no longer just a restoration project. It is a responsibility and an honor that I am taking on. It is a legacy.
About Jimmy
Over the coming months and years, I will share the progress as these projects move toward completion. There will be challenges, setbacks, costs, and probably a few surprises along the way, but every completed task will bring these pieces of Jimmy one step closer to the vision he had for them. In a way, every update will be another chapter in his legacy.
More Than Vehicles
People who are not car enthusiasts may see two old vehicles. I see something very different. I see the fingerprints of a man who was passionate throughout his life building, repairing, improving, and helping. I see countless weekends, countless decisions, countless hours spent in garages, workshops, and parts catalogs. I see the same determination that allowed Jim to fix almost anything and help those around him.
Long after the grief softens, these vehicles will remain. The Firebird will rumble to life. The Scout will continue its journey toward completion. Every mile they travel will carry a piece of Jim and his love for them with them.
I wish more than anything that he was still here to finish them himself. But since he can’t, I will and that is my promise to Jimmy and I intend to keep it.