Technically, Jake’s Pickup isn’t a bar. In fact, if we ignore the lack of alcohol, the only thing that resembles a watering hole is the bar counter facing the 350 square-foot kitchen. However, it IS the perfect place to grab a delicious, completely homemade breakfast and talk cars. It’s even located in a gas station.
The title ‘Cars and Coffee’ leaves little to imagine what could go on at these weekly Thursday morning gatherings. At its core, it’s just a group of car enthusiasts chatting over warm drinks and munching on items from Jake’s menu. The two wood tables in the dining area are routinely encircled by eight to ten folks, sporting either Porsche magazines or matchbox cars depending on the day.
To most, it might seem a little…dare I say…boring?
First, I’d agree with you; it might seem a little monotonous. Maybe that’s why it’s called ‘Cars and Coffee’ and not ‘Cars and Warm Milk’. However, I’d argue that there is something sociologically important going on at Jake’s.
The ‘car culture’ isn’t necessarily dying, but it is changing dramatically and is fueled by technologies. I argue that this evolution is good for the most part, but we can’t toss out lessons from the analog world as we move into a more digital one. Modern cars are more technologically advanced than ever before and require more specialized maintenance. Tesla can even run a software test from anywhere in the world to see every detail, every issue in your car as it sits in your driveway. Gone are the days when you could substitute an oil filter for a full roll of toilet paper. (Note: don’t do this.)
From what I’ve learned from talking to people my age, technologies make cars too scary to turn into a hobby. I got lucky; my grandfather built hotrods and restored classics, so I was around the ‘just fix the dang car’ attitude. Impala not starting? Some WD-40 and slap on the taillight should get it working. Whenever something breaks on my stuff, I don’t mind getting my hands dirty unless it’s some highly specialized piece of electronic equipment. So, I understand why young people don’t have the time or effort to work on and invest in their cars, especially as cars get more complicated. I totally get it.
I’m not condemning modern technology in cars. I’m certainly on board for more eco-friendly motors and using recyclable materials, touch-screens and safety features. Heck, being from the Pacific Northwest I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t cold; seat warmers are a gift from Heaven above. I do think that, as cars become more complicated, they lose their anthropomorphic character. When I pop the hood of my dad’s new F-150 it’s like looking into the heart of Skynet. ‘Is that the block?’ ‘No, son, that’s the flux capacitor.’ Instead of a welcoming engine bay, there’s plastics, motherboards and a nightmare. I typically squeak and shuffle back inside the house, too scared that if I loosen a single bolt I’ll deploy the passenger eject feature (only a $500 dollar option).
The folks who come to Jake’s are from a much more hands-on car world. Problems were fixed with oily fingers and weekends were spent trying to get a buddie’s Ford running again. I don’t mean to sound nostalgic, considering I never lived during those years in the first place. But I think there is some human element, something almost anthropomorphic, that isn’t as prevalent today. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to start this blog, to record the stories of past gearheads who experienced different worlds than I do today.
As time continues and new generations of car nuts take the wheels, they become their own time capsules. What happens each Thursday at Jake’s Pickup isn’t just some friends showing off their newest toys. It’s a capsule of stories from a different generation of car enthusiasts that will soon be replaced by a new generation. At this incredibly unique junction of old and new, I am grateful to see both what was, and what is to come.