Reporter's Notebook: Some "Sunday Morning" Inspiration

I have often said on my social media that I have so much on my mind.

Well, I do. Sometimes sparked by social media itself. Or, the news. Stories upon stories that provoke thought, inspire ideas, and even shed tears of joy.

My last ex’s favorite television show is “CBS Sunday Morning.” It is a special weekly broadcast hosted by the great Jane Pauley that full of interviews, slices of life, and, sometimes, a look at provocative issues. The show has also rubbed off on me. 

There were times when I watch it live. Most times, I usually catch up with the stories on YouTube. I usually take some time on Sunday evening to catch up on the stories from that morning’s broadcast. 

On the March 16, 2025 broadcast, there were two automotive related stories that drew my attention. One, was a profile by Lee Cowan on McPherson College’s Automotive Restoration program at their campus north of Wichita, Kansas. In that program, students learn to restore classic, vintage, and antique automobiles, along with their history.

You saw college-age students do what a dwindling number of people are doing – restore the vehicles of our past. Yet, these are the students who will eventually get hired by the shops that are restoring, restromodding, and rebuilding these automobiles. 

In the past, I addressed the issue of how a generation of classic car owners are having trouble trying to pass down their precious vehicles to the next generations. Here is an example of an opportunity for another generation to become stewards of our automotive history. 

The ability to work on restoring and repairing an older vehicle is a form of stewardship. One that takes skill, patience, and enthusiasm. These students, their faculty, staff, and alumni know firsthand the special responsibility they undertake to demonstrate stewardship through vehicle restoration. 

If you want proof, you may have missed the second in its class at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. That was won by a black 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet – one that restored by the students at McPherson.

Inspiration? Absolutely. Affirming? Yes, because it leads to how we treat our past in this present. 

Which brings me to Steve Hartman’s piece on an autistic boy in Alabama who is a huge car fan. The story delves into he also loved the rainbow glasses that he wore, until it was ruined by a bully. That terrible encounter sent him to the psychiatric ward at a nearby hospital, his mother reached out to the community to see if a few car folks would welcome him home with some cars.

What transpired was a local restaurant owner reaching out to car clubs across Alabama to show up and welcome the child. What his mother – and the child – got were hundreds of cars supporting the boy with loads of joy. 

That is where the love of automobiles takes flight. They bring joy to people. Have something special that someone might enjoy and just look at their eyes. All you will see are tears of joy and love for your special ride. You made someone’s day even more special. 

Remember back during the COVID-19 Pandemic when we used to parade cars in celebration of a child’s birthday or a car loving person who needed an extra boost while in isolation? It felt like that. And, car people love it as much as the person being celebrated. 

George and I have participated in similar car parades and events that brought joy to various people in our lives. We know a lot about how to bridge automotive stewardship with the sharing of joy for many people. 

We wish we can see more people coming together with cars today – and not agendas. 

People driving to bring joy to someone who needs it. Someone who can share enthusiasm and stewardship through the art of classic vehicle maintenance and pride in ownership. 

Let me repeat myself: We can use more of this. 

To all car club members and event organizers, take this extra step in your meets and events to do something special for your crew and the community you live in or represent. Celebrate the love of the automobile with a new generation eager to learn how to do it the right way. Give someone joy who suffered with pain to share their – and your – love of the automobile.

Perhaps V&R should do something, too…

Videos courtesy of CBS, Inc. via YouTube

All photos by Randy Stern