“What Virgil Flowers Wore”

Fans of the Virgil Flowers novels by John Sanford know and respect Virgil’s fondness for rock band t-shirts. I was afraid I would have to reread the novels to make a list but that won’t be necessary.

What Virgil Flowers Wore: An unofficial guide

“Dark of the Moon”
Sheryl Crow (carp)
Modest Mouse
Flaming Lips
Decemberists
Arcade Fire
AC/DC
Franz Ferdinand

“Heat Lightning”
Bif Naked
WWTDD
Hole
KMFDM (Money)
Pogues
Interpol
Death Cab for Cutie

“Rough Country”
Sebadoh
Nine Inch Nails
Breeders
Rolling Stones (Paris, 1975, tongue)
Gourds
Blood Red Shoes
Appleseed Cast

“Bad Blood”
Virgins

“Shock Wave”
Freelance Whales
My Chemical Romance
Slobberbone

“Mad River”
Wolfmother

Patina

Something about a rusted, beat up old pickup truck really speaks to me. I think I’d trade the MINI for this, straight up. And “derilict restoration” is a thing.

Spotted this beauty today in Springfield, MO. That is art on wheels. I could buy an old truck like this but no amount of money could buy the memories that go with the rust and the dents. The difference between buying a “distressed” motorcycle jacket on Rodeo Drive and wearing one for 20 years in a outlaw biker gang.

But that’s the romantic in me. If I could talk to the guy that owns that truck he’d probably say something like, “Fuck yeah, I’ll sell it. Don’t mean nothin’ to me but 20 years of shitty minimum wage jobs.”

1974 Chevy Pickup

Spotted this beauty outside our local AutoZone. 1974 Chevy. The owner spent two years restoring it (NOT factory). Says he’s had offers but would never sell it. Appraised at $22,500 which seems laughable to me but I’m told restorations are never valued at what it cost to get them there. He added a second fuel tank (“she really gobbles gas”).

Burning Man Bike


Mr. Wolf had a few cars and trucks stashed in a friend’s warehouse where I spotted this old bicycle. “Looks like something you’d see at Burning Man,” I observed. Turns out I was right. The warehouse was filled with a giant metal sculpture (disassembled) that had graced the playa at some recent Burning Man. The builder/artist is trying to find a home for the massive piece.

Cars too nice to drive

In just a day-and-a-half I saw millions of dollars worth of vintage automobiles. I’m guessing that if you can afford one of these, you can afford several. And cannot resist doing so. But where to you keep a car that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars? We visited one of those places and saw this beautiful collection.

Mr. Wolf has a few clients that pay him to drive their cars once a month to keep them tuned up and ready. Nice work, huh? I asked about security and Mr. Wolf pointed out the difficulty in fencing a car like these.