Happy Father's Day!

A Note from Nick...

I doubt that you categorically view cars as tools. You may have a car that you use for a specific purpose, which is tool-like, but it probably has been personified with a nickname. For me, all my cars have nicknames and the cars I care most about represent much more than the sum of their parts... they're a legitimate part of my life...

Father's Day has always been important to us here at Griot's Garage. You may be familiar with the story of my dad taking the risk of starting this business due to a push from his father... and how I messed up his retirement by raising my hand and saying that he had created a car-loving monster that wanted to follow in his big footsteps.

Handbook 543 features cars that are significant to the Griot family; they are priceless. You may find the assortment of cars strange, but the rationale behind their absolute permanence is rock solid. These are cars I grew up in, that may represent formative moments for my father, grandfather, or me and my siblings. They will never be sold as long as I have breath in my body. You may have a car that represents some of these emotions, and they may be linked to a member of your family or intimate memories, if so, consider yourself fortunate. I wake up every day feeling fortunate to be brought up in a family where cars were so much a part of every experience and then ask, "How in the heck do I get to make a living doing this?"

I maintain a now 20-year-old cut out from a past AutoWeek magazine, written by Dutch Mandel, that represents the significance of memories shared across generations via a unique automobile. Every car represented in Handbook 543 makes me think of my father and the times we spent together in these cars. I couldn't be more grateful for him and hope that, if you got the car bug from your father, that you think of him this Father's Day and go put a fresh coat of wax on the car that makes you think of him.

A Note from Richard...

I think when you finally retire you start thinking about what you think your children should hear, whether they like it or not, to avoid the pitfalls of your own career. As successful as Griot's Garage was over the years, I still missed opportunities. So here we go:

• Slow and steady goes the race. Keep your head down and don't get distracted by others trying to steal your precious time that you'll need to succeed. This includes friends.
• Stay away from toxic people. Surround yourself with people that improve your life, not those that try to tear it apart.
• Never exceed your capital, your market or your talent on board at the time.
• Hire people smarter than yourself. Check your ego at the door as you walk in and be prepared to be humbled, daily.
• Never be afraid of change. Embrace it, as tomorrow will be different than today.
• Love what you have chosen to do in life, otherwise you'll be working your entire life.
• And call your parents at least once a week! They'll give you some more insight into life! (Ok, so I added that last line, because I love talking with my children!)

A Note from Dick...

The best gift that can be given to a father is to see his children and grandchildren be happy in what they are doing and to be successful in doing it. Not being jealous of your children's success is the key to a wonderful relationship with your children. Encourage them to try everything, but tell them they do can't do everything! I've told my son a thousand times: "Richard, you can do anything you want in life, you just can't do everything." Pick one thing, devote your life toward doing it better than anyone else, and time will take care of you.

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