Normally we use this column to take a look back at the times when our classic cars were built. However, I would like to start a new tradition here at My Daily Driver. Since we are saying farewell to one year and are on the brink of a new one, I would like to take a Rear View of the year past. 2001.

2001 began with the promise of being a better year than previous. But, then again, every new year claims stake to that same promise. 2001 began cold here in the Northeast. Mike the original co-conspirator of My Daily Driver.com and I spent January digging out our 30-year-old cars from repeated precipitation accumulation. In early February, we began the layout for this e-zine.

My wife Patty is a big NASCAR fan and although she began following the sport only 6 years ago, she had immediately gravitated to the Silver and Black #3. February 15th, a dark day for American Motorsports and a racing nation grieved. The improbable had occurred right in front of millions of viewers, the Iron Man, the Intimidator had died. As dark as that day was, we had no idea that even darker days lie ahead.

In the spring the permafrost melted as the temperature began to rise. Same as the cost for a gallon of premium petroleum. As 2001 lazily slipped into summer, I began to attend and participate in all the Car Shows and Cruise Nights in southern New England. I had always driven a classic car, but I was far too rebellious to become involved in such structured events. Well, not until the summer of 2001.

This past summer was terrific. Everyone we met associated with classic car events were just plain delightful, well except for Corvette owners. My Daily Drive.com was gaining a solid loyal readership and I had the pleasure of featuring a few of my friends' outstanding cars.

As the summer began to wind down the unthinkable occurred. Americans were murdered in a cowardly act of war. It would be impossible to capsulate all the emotions and loss associated with September 11th within this humble column. But, nothing will ever be as innocent or quite the same again.

The months that followed were somewhat disjointed. Yes, we celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving, but the topics of our conversations were never far from New York City. We are Americans and we dust ourselves off and carry on with the business of being America. Our men and women of the armed services are doing the dirty work now and we wish them safety and success.

As we close the book on 2001, we once again hold to the hope that 2002 will be better.
I know I am.