We call it “old iron hunting season”- the days or weeks between the leaves falling off the trees and the snow drifting over and hiding everything. It’s that magical time of the year when all the old and maybe even collectable cars, trucks, and tractors suddenly appear in the groves and woodlots. My neighbor has an International Fleetstar truck and a TR-3 in his back yard, and until the leaves fell you could walk right buy them and not even know they’re there.

It’s a time to wander the countryside and make mental notes of possible future acquisitions- Within 30 minutes of Gearhead Grrrl HQ are three Corvairs, an International “Emeryville”, and a Mack Western R model that I keep an eye on, much as a winekeeper watches his wine cellar’s inventory. And while it’s been cold, it’s still dry and snow free, so “good winter driving conditions” prevail. Shame I have to be in Florida by the first of the year to deal with the “Trailer Park Tyrant” AKA landlord, who’s currently facing a couple criminal charges and laying low…