I have been a car guy since I was three years old. Among my first memories are those of riding in my father’s Fathom Green 1972 Corvette convertible, his foot deep in the throttle, rocketing down a rural Missouri highway. In a time before child safety seats, airbags, or seatbelt laws, I was standing in the passenger’s seat, hooting with excitement, as Dad let that Stingray race toward the horizon.
I am proud to be part of the Automotive Community. I am an alum of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration program. I am lucky enough to write for Sports Car Market magazine and American Car Collector magazine. My estimable wife encouraged me to send in a writing sample when those magazines asked subscribers if they would be interested in an auction analyst position. Keith Martin, Chad Tyson, Jim Pickering, and Chester Allen keep me on, most likely against their better judgement. The Gents’ Place has engaged me to write their automotive features. Mark Groves and Jack Ancona endeavor to put me on the radio. I even got to appear on Matt Farah’s The Smoking Tire podcast/YouTube channel. I have been very fortunate, indeed.
I write all of this as a way of conveying my bona fides. I am a consummate car nerd. Among my first thoughts every morning are car things; what I need to do, write, and publish? How do I best preserve this automotive way of life? What can I do today that will educate, inform, enlighten, and excite those of us who are car people, and those who may become such?
If we have crossed paths, and you may think I am too excited about our culture, and you are likely correct. If you think I am too friendly or familiar, it is only because I think we are all in this together. This is a brotherhood. It is up to us to preserve and promote our culture. It is up to us to find as many like-minded individuals to keep what we cherish alive. It is up to us to make sure our world isn’t lost to the sands of time or the march of technology. It is up to us, and us together. We must strive daily to ensure we protect our history, heritage, and future. It doesn’t matter if you like hot rods, rat rods, exotics, Corvettes, Mustangs, MOPARs, JDM, or anything else. We are all in this together, and I feel that connection with all of you.
It is up to us, and I am proud to be part of this culture. My name is Brett Hatfield, and I am a car guy.