The Art in a "Vintage" Car

Who would want a pickup truck like this? Well, perhaps I wouldn't want the whole thing but I'd love that beautiful bonnet! Not convinced? Let me show you.

Isn't that beautiful? It really does come from the bonnet of that pickup truck.

I don't know exactly how the paintwork on a car's body is built up but when it starts cracking and peeling with age there are usually several different layers of different colours of paint showing through that help to produce some lovely abstract patterns. It's almost as if it was designed for this moment. As if the manufacturer knew it wasn't going to last for ever so wants it to go out in a blaze of glory!

This pick-up truck was parked just outside my sister-in-law's house in Bangkok so I took a few quick snaps with my iphone before the owner came back from the market. I doubt he sees his vehicle in the same way that I do. A really lovely piece of artwork. I wish I was brave enough to encourage him to let the rest of the paintwork go the same way but somehow I doubt he would take me seriously.

One aspect of it that I love is that, if given the chance, it will develop over time. Some paint will fall off but more cracking will appear and rust patches will grow. It will be changing continuously but most of the time imperceptibly. Of course, it's not quite how anybody wants their car to look but to me it's so much more interesting than a shiny new one.

A section of it would actually make a very nice garden decoration. And being separated from the fact that it's a vehicle might help people see the aesthetics of that wonderful abstract patterning. It could even be tactile by letting people run their fingers over those thick flakes and thereby become part of the weathering process themselves as little bits fall off.

My attitude may not be very practical for the longevity of a vehicle but this is the kind of vintage car that I covet!