The Glamorous Life of a Trunk

After four years as a wedding getaway driver, I’ve learned that every event brings its own surprise, but this one truly caught me off guard.

It began at the Grand Rapids Wedding Expo, where our ’51 Pontiac got to mingle with the bridal models after the show. One of them, Rena, suggested we take part in an event called Light Night, a creative collaboration among local artists. Intrigued by something a little out of the ordinary, we decided to give it a whirl.

At Studio Cor3, we were waved into place under glowing lights and a crisp white backdrop. With time to spare, I went through my usual detailing ritual waxing paint, cleaning whitewalls, polishing chrome. Under the lights, the Pontiac gleamed like it had just rolled off the line in 1951.

Then came the question I never expected:
“Can we open the trunk?”

Now, I’ve had people ask to see the interior, and frequently engine, but never the trunk. I laughed, popped it open, and there it was: a very practical display of jumper cables, detailing sprays, and a jack. Not exactly glamorous.

I offered to clear it out, but the photographers waved me off. A few microfibers were rearranged over the gear, and before I knew it, Rena had climbed into the trunk, legs dangling out as the camera clicked away.

By the end of the evening, the trunk had become a star attraction. And as the photos rolled in over the following week, those “trunk shots” were striking.

Lesson learned: never underestimate a good trunk.

A trip to the local antique shop later, the Pontiac now carries a pair of matching chic vintage suitcases: one for roadside tools and one for detailing supplies. So if anyone ever asks to see the trunk again, it’ll impress just as much as the rest of the car.

Photography: @alexisbornphoto @mattdavidcreative

Model: @rena.meech

Studio: @studio.cor3