Grip, Grace, and Good Sense

We recently became the proprietors of a very nice 1930 Pontiac Six. She’s elegant: solid, dignified, and honest. But like any ninety-five-year-old lady, she still needs a few thoughtful touches to truly shine.

Some of the work so far has been substantial. The oak wheels were carefully refinished by the previous owner. The fenders were stripped and repainted by my son and I. These are the kinds of projects that demand patience, time, and more than a little resolve. But every so often, it’s the smallertouches that quietly elevate the Pontiac.

The Pontiac still had its original rubber steering wheel. Unfortunately, age had made it a bit unforgiving. Long drives left the driver’s hands slightly blackened, a minor nuisance worth addressing. The solution was simple enough: a leather wrap.

As any responsible man should, I read the directions before proceeding. The first decision was aesthetic but important: choosing the appropriate stitch. There were two options: an overhand loop or a baseball stitch. The baseball stitch felt right. Purposeful. Classic. So, the baseball stitch it was.

The first few rungs came easily, and I paused often to double-check the instructions, making sure the seam was forming as intended. In all caps, the most important guidance gave me pause:

“IT IS SUGGESTED TO NOT PULL LIKE A MAD MAN.”

With that wisdom firmly in mind, I continued with appropriate restraint. No brute force. Just steady hands and patience.

In the end, the wheel turned out perfectly: supple, handsome, and comfortable. One more refined detail to an elegant car. And best of all, there wasn’t a mad man in sight.