Shortly after starting my business in 2002, I was contacted by a guy named Ivan, who lived in Moscow. I had some parts for the 1992-95 Ford Taurus SHO on ebay and he wanted me to ship to Russia. I figured out the shipping requirements and got them sent over. I’m not sure if he had a SHO but he did mention a SHO wagon concept which I thought was cool. I think that concept was kicked around by Ford back in the day.
As time went on he bought other parts, mostly Ford stuff and it evolved into me relay shipping them, repacking everything into a smaller box and sending on to Moscow. I charged a small fee, not making much but I enjoyed keeping the dialog going. He asked for some bubble gum and hard candy for his kids, so that also worked its way into the box along with the Ford parts.
Ivan apparently traveled a bit, sometimes sending pictures of his ski trips. His wife gave birth to a daughter and I got to see pictures of her. It was like having a new neighbor, only on the other side of the world.
In 2013 he mentioned going to the Chicago Auto Show and I agreed to meet him there. It was a blast! We talked cars (he spoke English well) went to the Chicago bars and even went to a U Pull junkyard close by. It was Chicago in February but he’s from Moscow so I knew he could take it.
I have been a car guy all my life. I ship parts all over the world and hear some interesting stories and see interesting projects. I have always been left with the impression that car guys are always car guys no matter what their religion, their ideology, their politics or their lifestyle might be. As our rage-infested society escalates, sensible people will find common ground to build on and smooth down the rough edges. I’ve been fortunate enough to have maintained a friendship with a man on the other side of the planet for over 20 years, a man who, just like me, works, feeds his kids and keeps his car running. It’s been an enriching experience.
Peace