How cars kept me out of street gangs

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[@EdBolian]

Be sure to give a car-loving relative a hug this weekend. Great story Eric.

[@GearheadDaily]

Thanks Ed! I'm hugging my son! :)

[@jonanderson4474]

My daughter will be getting one after school.

[@michaellock3619]

No joke Ed. Love these kinds of stories, am recalling all kinds of triggered memories due to this video. Awesome 👍 making my Fri, even better.

[@AnomalousOne1401]

@@GearheadDaily: Blane's birthday is on the 14th of this month. Thanks to your story today Eric, I'm gonna make damn sure that #12 is even more special. Sincere THANKS to both you and Ed.

[@GearheadDaily]

Thanks Greg!

[@goofyleo3869]

The old adage; get your kids into cars and they'll never have $$ for drugs or the free time for gangs. ❤

[@HochstartHarry]

Not entirely true 😂 im over sitting on a blown engine thinking about joining a gang 😉

[@rtta51]

That's what I thought. WRONG!

[@silversonic99]

weed is pretty cheap depending where you live

[@chillchopapa3275]

Der Kerl don’t do it you’ll end up dead or in jail

[@Mysohvaperuna]

Chill Cho Papa huh

[@jonesRG]

Someone's cutting onions in here. Beautiful story, Eric. And you have a gift for storytelling. Can't wait for the next one!

[@bvckwoodbby358]

jonesRG i’m eating onions

[@dariopranckevicius1250]

This episode is not about street gangs. It’s an awesome story about his grandpa!

[@Chris-hw4mq]

Sad he died. Sounded like a real and cool pearson

[@redram5150]

My grandfather always wanted a son. Had seven daughters. Two stillborn. My sister and (female) cousin came before me. I was his first boy. He was over himself happy when I was born, so I’m told. My grandfather had to quit school at twelve, during the depression, stormed the beaches at Normandy, and worked his entire career as a welder at a factory outside of Philly. Toiled his entire life for his family. His retirement was supposed to be doting onto me, sharing the things he’s learned about life that men pass onto their male offspring. He had a stroke when I was three. Totally paralyzed half his body. He couldn’t speak as much as mumble. Died when I was nine. I know now that even though I was supposed to be this joy for my grandfather, I became this reminder of yet another goal in his life taken from him and taunting him. This story gave me an idea what it’s like to have that kind of relationship with my grandfather... what that could have been like

[@williamzouroudis7816]

Red Ram I’m sorry man that’s sad

[@CodyUnderstorms]

How about a video telling the history of all the items in the background?

[@9HighFlyer9]

A few of them have been discussed by Ed. Judging by how quickly the collection had grown I have a feeling that a lot are just set dressing. But if I'm wrong then tell the stories Ed.

[@VINwiki]

Not a bad idea, just one of those things I haven't gotten around to yet. Certainly needs to happen.

[@Olds_Gold]

@@jgm113 that's a given. :-)

[@cmj115]

@@jgm113 Well it is his channel, his app, and the recording studio is in his house, so that would make sense. 😂

[@stelachris]

its called ebay.

[@Noahswope77]

"how my car saved my virginity and kept gangs away from me"

[@Shadow-ew7wv]

Maybe Ed let's u tell that story next time

[@TheMattc999]

Noah Swope they kinda had the opposite effect on me, probably because my first car was a 67impala.....

[@Noahswope77]

TheMattc999 haha. Congrats!

[@jackielinde7568]

I was wondering how the street gang angle was going to come into play. He doesn't strike me as a kid who would have been involved in street gangs.

[@thomashodis5740]

Cars dont have shit to do with being in a gang. You either succumb to your environment in a good way or a bad way. Keep your ass out of trouble, goto school, and keep

[@rabbits_used_cars]

Love hearing how vintage tin can be the thread that sews a family together........ Great Story Eric!

[@AnomalousOne1401]

Right on Rob, It doesn't quite have the back story of a certain Camaro previously owned by a Pornstar, but the message really hits home in a good way.

[@Noahswope77]

Eric, the type of guy to make u cry at the end of a video!

[@jus__gra]

Didn't think it would have been Eric thought it would have been Rabbit or Ed 😂😂😁 Edit; just watched the full video and damn did the story turn. Thanks Eric for sharing this with us 💙

[@Garf2O]

A photoshop of ed with some crips doing that shit eating grin would be funny

[@KS1776]

Damn onions... That was really touching.

[@fluffyfreak505]

Rabbit is a OG man

[@77yogurt]

@@KS1776 "I'm not crying, you're crying!!"

[@aumkar2]

One of the best stories in a very long time. Thank you for sharing.

[@danjohnson8399]

agreed

[@VINwiki]

Happy Friday everyone! We hope you have had a great week. Be sure to rack up some amazing miles this weekend.

[@Chonk_Wrap_Printing]

VINwiki i won’t be because it’s prom weekend and i won’t have time to drive

[@gilbertg.8501]

Today I actually get to finally work on my first project car, a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL. it’s by far the cheapest running/ driving S-Class in the country. $500 off the side of the road

[@radieon]

Gonna drive two hours to Augusta and back under the darkness of a new moon on Saturday. Looking forward to bonding with my car.

[@Akkbar21]

VINwiki come pick me up, I could use a ride. Bring the LP640... I look good in Verde Draco.

[@MrJoebiz24]

Tons of miles delivering pizza in my '95 Tore-ass, (with working cassette player. Top that!).

[@aaronfreeman3890]

I like the shot at 8:43. You can see a young man being taught by the past generations, learning the inner workings of machinery, and in someways learning the inner workings of himself as well. I think its cool how it cuts right back to current you, full beard and all. cool vid

[@NJGhost34]

A real tribute to all the grandfathers who've passed on.

[@guskipper1194]

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that question in that cold open, I could buy some Vincero watches.

[@TravisFabel]

You can finally make the statement that you want the world to see.

[@fluffyfreak505]

You don't want a Vincero watch. You can find em on Ali Express for a LOT cheaper.

[@GearheadDaily]

Thanks Ed for having me! Appreciated the southern hospitality you don't get up here in the north! :)

[@ABArsenal]

come to Tennessee then you can be closer to home but still in the great south

[@GearheadDaily]

I just might do that!

[@ABArsenal]

@@GearheadDaily well brother if you ever need anything and you are east of Nashville I'm here I aint got a lot of anything but time.

[@GearheadDaily]

Well dang man! I was just there! Might go back for work. :)

[@goofyleo3869]

Come to Wisconsin. Before anyone gets out of their vehicle in my driveway, I'm already holding out a beer for them.

[@nighthawkgsxr6285]

so I just finished rebuilding the motor on my Cherokee probably a 3 build I've done on all the Cherokees I've owned and my father came out from sleeping all day and said, "I heard that POS finally start" with the biggest smile on his face and I just meant the world to me today. That's how much this story touched home with me

[@joshuacobb1810]

Got me messed up and emotional on my lunch break at work, thanks VinWiki! My grandfather was my neighbor growing up and was more of a father figure to me than my biological father. He was a wheeler and dealer, scouring bullitien boards for anything he could buy, put a few bucks into and selling/trading into money. As a kid I remember seeing dozens of boat motors in 50 gallon drums all over the yard. Boat after boat, ATV's, literally anything he could work on he would flip. Even after he got to where he couldn't get down on the ground under cars and such, he would sit in a chair and watch me work on things, giving sage advice when needed, or sometimes hassles if I screwed something up. When I got engaged, I knew I didn't have much time left to share with him. I made sure the wedding was somewhere that was accommodating for his mobility chair, I focused on him more than my fiancee or myself and thankfully she understood and even encouraged it. He passed away the week of my wedding. We buried him 24 hours before the wedding, immediately after the funeral we rushed to the church for the wedding rehearsal. One of the last sentences he said was "no matter what happens, DO NOT delay your wedding." Not a day goes by that I don't think about and miss him. Appreciate the story and video!

[@jacobocejo21]

Cars are more than machines, they're the source of bonding, great memories, and lots of laughs and smiles for lots of people, great story

[@AnomalousOne1401]

Fantastic video Eric. I believe stories like this are the exact reason Ed created VinWiki. You never know just how one moment or event can have a positive impact in your life. Your Grandfather was much more than a special person in your life. He dedicated his life to be of service to his community in the Fire Department. For over 3 decades, he knowingly risked his life for others every time the tones sounded and he donned the gear. You have a hero as a Grandfather Eric. BTW. My oldest grandson Ryan now has my Chiefs Badge and Blane has my Fire Helmet and your book.

[@benroberts9962]

Great video Eric, reminds me a lot of my grandfather. He worked on a GM assembly line all his life and knew Chevrolets, Buicks and GMC's inside and out. He's in his 80's now, has dementia, and the last time I talked to him on the phone he thought he had a part time job working on cars to keep himself busy. The first car I bought new from a dealership was a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, nothing special. He asked me to mail him a picture of it and I did, but didn't think much more about it. Fast forward to a few months ago and my mom showed me a photo she took of that picture sitting on his dresser. On the back he wrote "Ben's first new car".

[@pjtruslow]

That was a beautiful story. probably one of my favorite Your grandfather sounds like he was a fantastic man.

[@Torquenbeans]

This story put the biggest smile on my face. Sou ds so much like my grandpa when I was growing up. Even when he was getting senile from alzheimers, he would still talk about me to my parents and ask If I still had a motorcycle (that I hadn't had for a number of years) or talk about something that I did a long time ago. Miss that man so much.

[@L3Harris]

This story sums up all the best things about the car enthusiast community. It spans generations, brings people closer together with the ones that really matter, and all whilst developing skills and teaching experiences to see you through a lifetime. Great story, Eric.

[@deniseb3897]

My favorite VINwiki story, so far. Touching and funny. Glad you got to spend that quality time with your Grandfather. Priceless memories.

[@austinthomaswoolery]

Thanks ed, im getting tear eyed at 9am. Miss my grandpa.

[@mattunes5823]

Reminds me of how much I miss my grandfather. He was the first person I loved with all my heart that passed away. I'm incredibly jealous of this story.

[@gsaleen5644]

AWSOME story my friend. Brings me back to memories with my Papa and him helping me with my 89' 5.0. I miss him so much. He would be pretty much the same description of a grandfather. Hard nose and loving attitude. I was also the first grandson that my mom and mama said made my grandpa's heart soften. Good luck to you, loved you sharing this with us.

[@DeLoreansgarage]

I now love your Grandpa now! I remember my grandfather (which lived in Vegas) let me drive his truck to go paint the town red... Still remember him telling me to lay down some rubber with his truck. RIP Grandpa!

[@gokeyinspections8552]

Reminds me of my grandpa who was In ww2. He taught me to build motors at age 6 or 7 and he told me when he passes on all his tools are mine ( huge garage full of ww2 tools and old snap on stuff. He is still alive he's 98 years old. He was the one who got me into cars, I wish he lived closer. Good story!

[@toddjohnson9546]

I love his stories. simple cars, little moments that make big waves. Thats what brings everyone together with a car. Nice.

[@pairisfabrication2476]

Last time I was this early Rabbit was selling new cars

[@bm9232]

lololol

[@customcreator6057]

You’re one of the best. You and Ed are my top two of everyone that speaks. My grandfather was a fireman for 49 years. Thanks for your time

[@GearheadDaily]

Thank you as well

[@customcreator6057]

Gearhead Daily so you know I do know of you outside of your stories on vinwiki. I’d love to chat some time. I’m a custom car/truck builder.

[@GearheadDaily]

Sure. Didnt know we know each other outside youtube, send me an email. [e-mail]

[@HarryBase63]

Spent a few minutes trying to figure out where this story was going, only to be choked up by the end. Great story, keep em coming!

[@isaacflores8428]

This brought a big year to my eye I was fairly close to my grandpa but i wasnt able to say good bye to him. But I would always hear about how much he would talk about me and my old car. Thank u for ur story it brought back so many happy memories

[@facusan2339]

Ed, When is Cleetus McFarland & his team coming to VinWiki? I bet they have some good stories to share!

[@dcrasta]

Great story .. choked me up thinking about my Uncle who’s the person who got me into Hot Rod and CarCraft magazines in the 70s. Reading stories and tech articles at 7 with him and being around all the Mopar powered cars he owned really influenced me. RIP Uncle Ed , and positive energy to all of our departed positive influences. #Respect

[@jaredwhite2285]

Eric, being a Missourian, this hit me at home. My Grandpa was a great guy just like yours. Great story!!

[@jceddo]

And this right here is one of the BIGGEST reason I feel Ed created this channel, stories like this one right here!! Ever car guy has this story. We all talk about the crazy dumb shit and the cars we did it with, rarely you hear about that person or that moment you just knew, yes cars are my thing.

[@tyger449]

Wow this is hitting me hard my grandfather Bert Parker was the cheif of fire in Portland OR and spokane WA he worked his way up for over 3 deacades and i have fond memories of him and the firefighters! There was half friends and family and half firefighters, they played the bag pipes and everything... it was moving to say the least.

[@Bliggity]

I’m not crying, your crying.

[@WyoCutlass71]

This is still one of the most wholesome videos Vinwiki has put out. There are so many life lessons taught: Ask for help from the older generation, particularly the father figures in your life. Chase your dreams (including cars) whether building them or buying, sometimes both! Remember that your family wants to have something to do with your life, no matter where they are living. Sometimes the people that are the hard nosed people in our lives are the ones that can teach us the most. Learn by doing/failing.

[@dawsonroth5832]

My grandpa was a huge car guy. He would buy old junckers and flip them. He restored a 59 Cadillac, a beautiful black with a red interior 57 bel air. One day when my mom and her family where getting back from Las Vegas, he was called to into work a day early. He was a electrician in the Keizer Coal mine in Sunnyside, Utah. That Tuesday, he had to fix the generator and someone flipped the switch turning on the generator when he was inside. Electrocuted in an instant. That was 1985. I’m now discovering cars and how how much he loved them. I owe nearly everything to him. Here’s to you Grandpa Ben, I’d do anything to meet and have a conversation with you.

[@On3_media]

The good thing about being a car enthusiast is that it really can take you away from a lot of the negative aspects of life because: A. You’re too broke to do anything because Racecar. B. You want to talk about Racecars with your buds while drinking a beer, chilling. C. You’re watching KZbin videos with your buds about Racecars. No time for partying, drugs, etc because well... Racecar.

[@nukenuked5749]

top story mate i wish i had the chance to meet my grand farther but when passed b4 i was born but again mate top story got to catch up on you gear head daily to keep them coming mate :)

[@GearheadDaily]

Thanks Mate!

[@Bl00obs]

Not gonna lie I got a little teary eyed there. I lost my grandfather a number of years back and he was also a fireman and a car guy. This brought back a lot of good memories. Thanks.....

[@justinmcnamara5013]

Thank you for sharing this story I could hear the emotion in your voice.. great video!

[@bearle97]

"Thanks grandpa" lmao

[@whos5.0]

Thank you for sharing brother!🙏🏻

[@bmtziii640]

World class content guys! It's always a pleasure watching these car stories.

[@owenmcdonald5806]

Love going back to this video, gives me a bunch of confidence. Also kind of proves that as long as you love something and you're willing to put the time into it, the people who truly love you will be proud of that no matter what.

[@austinbecker4654]

I really enjoyed this video, it reminded me of my grandfather. I never really thought about it until your last statement, just because they are not there doesnt mean they dont think about you. Thank for sharing this story with us.

[@RyanBolin22]

What an awesome story! Made me miss my gpa for sure. He was into his old impala. It taught me a lot of wrenching, and an eternity of colorful curse words.

[@wimderix]

Thanks Eric, what a great and touching story.

[@ivankulya8291]

This is one of the best stories on this channel, great stuff.

[@Hawkeyepenny]

Great story and video

[@JerryDLTN]

2:56 I was going to buy a car just like that for my first car in 1988 for $5,000. My Dad said "No, the insurance would be too much".

[@jakethreesixty]

I remember helping my friend rebuild a 305 (the doggiest of the dogs) at 15 years old, learned so much about how engines worked from that experience. That poor Trans Am it was in was pretty rough.

[@FH-wi6ek]

Made me think about my grandad and all he did for me too.. the little things you think about once they are gone. Thank you for another great video guys 👌🏻👌🏻💪🏻

[@jimz68]

Very cool story. Thanks for sharing it.

[@brettclifford3490]

Hell yea Springfield mo going to rogersville for no prep in a hour

[@livin4dios]

One of your best stories. Touching, yet honest and real.

[@robnor1029]

Thank you Eric for an awesome story and thank you Ed for the plethora of heartwarming and engaging stories that have been told on here. Keep on keeping on!

[@GearheadDaily]

Thanks brother!

[@shaft3285]

Son of a gun. I say this all the time- “Best story yet, Ed!”.

[@timothycoyne5874]

I was 14 or 15 when my grandfather had a stroke. He was in a nursing home, had lost most of his memory, and was clearly on his way out. I went alone to go see him one day, and he was kind of lucid. It meant a lot to me that while we were visiting he remembered me and was bragging to others there about me, his grandson. Those little moments end up mattering much more than you think.

[@mozzbentley]

Great Story 😃... thanks for sharing it🙂

[@Chevy3o3]

Thanks for sharing, this touched the feels and reminded me of my grandpa also being a 1st grandson. Again thanks for sharing !

[@dvandentop]

Great story thanks for sharing Eric Made me think of the fun times I had with my grandpa working on different things

[@coltenh581]

Thoroughly thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed this story. Much love

[@jamescurtisrussell]

Amazing story, really connected with that poignant moment.

[@bryanwhite3021]

Tears to my eyes, that's why I love cars and this channel

[@virgilproductions]

I swear it’s just dust in my eye. I felt this one you guys. Great story.

[@RaggedyRacingGarage]

I will forever love these videos especially waking up to them! Your grandpa sounds like an amazing guy sounds like my grandpa🤙🏻

[@jimtekkit]

I had a grandfather who lived and breathed anything that had a diesel engine, you name it he drove it and worked on it. Trucks, tractors, bulldozers, graders, excavators, and of course every diesel Toyota Landcruiser ever made. The sad thing is that he died before I was old enough to be interested in that stuff and so we never really connected. Now I work on designing military tanks and trucks, and I reckon he would've committed crimes just to spend one day in my job. And I would commit crimes just to have even a fraction of the knowledge he had. Funny thing is that I purchased his old diesel Toyota HJ75 ute as my first car (which I still own many years later), and working on that vehicle kind of piqued my interest and steered me in this career direction. I'm sure he'd be proud of the fact that he provided that kind of influence.

[@Joyboy13257]

I guess I’m lucky as hell to have not only my grandfather practically next door, but still alive and allowing me to keep my projects in his yard. Also have my uncle down the road who helps me them it too

[@tobygrey5975]

Awesome video one of the best stories yet! Have a great day

[@jonanderson4474]

Thanks for this story.

[@mfranks4731]

RIP Grandpa awesome story!

[@samsonian]

What a cool granddad story. I was very close to my paternal grandfather and although I might not have a story like yours it still makes me smile. Thanks for that.

[@JacobBennett45]

One of the best feel good stories on this channel 👍

[@boyhowdygaming8182]

"Small world" I live in Springfield, MO.

[@dinoferreira7950]

This one brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for sharing a great story 👏

[@markyazzigreen8082]

Thats a really sweet, awesome story!! ❤

[@Headxoxote]

Those are the best moments. When ur dad or grandfather likes what you do and is happy and proud about :) great story.

[@antoniosjohnson123aj]

Very awesome story. Almost got a tear.

[@user-ob1rh3cz7h]

Thats a really cool story. You are very lucky you had a grandfather like this, id love to have a father, brother, uncle, or grandfather to do such a project with.

[@Lilskidmarks14]

Have a great Friday everyone!

[@ericarnason7610]

Love vinwiki stories another amazing one

[@scryla2000]

Great story! Reminds me of my grandfather

[@strider1trigger38]

That tugged on my heart strings pretty good, we need more people like that in the world

[@tbranch227]

Such a good story and it always amazes me the stuff that people don't tell each other

[@jonnybinam7505]

Love this guy

[@Centerpieceofmind]

"Can I give it a little bit of the business?" Lol.

[@sgtaaronp]

Ed, I love listening to Eric's story's! Just thought you should know!

[@christer1985]

This hits home hard ! Great story, my grandfather was the same way.

[@smiles564]

Damn onions.... beautiful story, hit the heart friend!

[@andrewmunczenski3632]

Great story. Brings back memories for me.

[@anonymousgeorge4321]

Great story. Thanks.

[@morkovija]

man, those kind of stories always get me. Thanks for sharing!

[@armandutan5901]

Best Eric McLellan story so far.