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January 7 , 2007 Christina would like to apologize for not posting as promised for such a very unexplained long time. She won't let it happen again! Anyway, things are looking up. I'm warm and safe in Grammy and Grampy's garage, where Christina gets to visit me ALL THE TIME! I love it here! I want an operation but until then, this is a great place to rest peacefully. |
May 31, 2006 I'm scared! I'm facing certain death and it's all thanks to this crummy Massachusetts Law that says I'm not allowed to rest in peace on residential property! Is there any hope? Christina's Mom has moved to an apartment with no garage and the new landlord says I can stay in the driveway only if the police say it's okay in writing. Well, Christina called the police and they said even with a tarp to cover me, it is still against the law for anyone to keep an unregistered vehicle on their property for more than 30 days, and it was a Westfield Police officer who told her about a year ago that all she needed was a tarp and it's completely fine. Turns out that is called "skirting the law" because it isn't truly legal, but nobody really enforces it, as long as you have the vehicle covered. Well, the landlords want a letter from the police, and of course they cannot provide one, so as it seems, I am doomed. The landlords of the apartment I am living at right now said I could stay for an extra week... 'til June 7th, but after that, I am off to the junkyard if Christina cannot find me a new home fast. She has called some junkyards, (which we prefer to call 'salvage' yards) and the best offer she's been given for me is $50! Fifty dollars! Can you believe it? I am worth SO MUCH MORE than Fifty dollars!!! And there's no amount of money that can justify chopping me to pieces and melting me down! This is truly inhumane! About a week ago, everything was all set. Plans had been made for me to rest at a friend's vacant property in Chester, MA, but apparently there was a miscommunication, and while the owner of that property's wife said I could stay there, he had not agreed to it himself. He thinks it's ridiculous that Christina is keeping me and refuses to help. (He's one of those "I don't need to read the stickers to know the car is stupid" fellows.) Since we thought that place was a sure thing until about a week ago, there has been very little time to find an alternative home for me. All the backup plans were ruled out before the Chester plan was set up. Christina is going to work hard to save me, but she's only got one week left, and not much support. Do you have an idea? Can you help us? We'll let you know of any news, whether it be good or bad, leading up to next Wednesday. In other news, Christina's boyfriend, Greg, had an accident with the Kia and they've been without transportation for almost a month. Greg is homeless as of tomorrow and will be living on couches until further notice. Christina is trying hard to get a better job because her wages at Cracker Barrel aren't paying the bills and she can't even pay for her and Kaela's bare necessities, nevermind my surgeries. Hopefully, when this website comes up for renewal in September, her financial situation will have improved, and Chipthecar.com will live on, even if Chip the car does not. |
March 8, 2006 Well,
It's been a while since any information has been posted, but I
guess that's because not much has changed in so long. Since last
year, I've moved from Shawn's driveway to Christina's mom's garage, so
this winter has been a lot easier to take. Last winter really did a number
on my stickers and my "Statement of Purpose" has faded away to
nothing. Christina has been watching "Overhaulin'" on TLC and wishing
with all her heart that there was a show out there somewhere like that
for me... that would fix up my aching insides but leave the stickers.
Maybe someday... Anyway, since last year, Christina's driving situation has changed quite a bit as well. At the end of March, she bought a 1983 Ford Country Squire, which, in case you don't know, is a huge wood paneled station wagon! Her name was Gloria, but everybody called her "Big Red". She was red on the inside and out, and she was a beauty! A luxury vehicle in her day, she came with power locks and windows, and an amplifier for the stereo! That's more power than Gabby or I had! Alas, dear Gloria sprung a gas leak, and being the gas-guzzler she already was during one of the highest-priced gas eras in history, Christina had to let her go. Thanks to a new job, Christina was able to buy a brand new 2005 Kia Spectra. She hasn't been given a name yet. Presently, we call her "the Kia". Pictures of my sisters will be posted as soon as possible. |
March 10, 2005 The cold winter has been harsh. Some of my favorite stickers have cracked and even flaked off from being frozen solid under so much snow for so long! Even though Christina started me up every so often, my battery still froze up and died, so now I don't even start anymore. Christina is planning on giving me a jump very soon and then I'm going to move to her mom's garage so I can be a little bit warmer and protected from the elements! |
January 27, 2005 Hi Everybody! Wow! So much has happened to Christina since my last day on the road. Her new car, Gabby, was totalled by a big white van that drove straight into her on the passenger side on October 20, 2004. The only thing that made that day bearable was the fact that the Red Sox won game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees that night (Go SOX!!!), but other than that, it was a horrible day for Christina and me. Christina came to watch the game at Shawn's house (which is where I now live until that wonderful day when Christina can afford to fix me) and she got inside me and told me the whole story. She was so sad. She cried a lot that day, but I told her not to worry because I'm still here and as long as we have each other, it will be all right. Christina told me all about how the accident is technically her fault, but even the cop said it wasn't REALLY. However, the law is the law, and because Christina couldn't afford to buy collision, she hasn't had a car to drive since that day. You know, I really shouldn't say this, because I loved my sister, Gabby, I really did, but maybe her death was a sign that I need to get back on the road. Maybe with all the money she is saving on car insurance, Christina will be able to afford to get me back into driving condition... or at least inspection-passing status. It's been really cold in Shawn's driveway. There is two and a half feet of snow on me and the plow man trapped me in the corner with a huge snowbank. I miss driving around with Christina so very much! |
My last day on the road was Wednesday, September 1st and it couldn't have been a better day!
Christina
and her friend, Rachel, parked in downtown Northampton near Tofu
restaurant
and she put a sign on my windshield
that read "Hi, I'm Chip the car and this is my last day on the
road. Leave me a note and tell me what you think of me. You can view
your message at www.chipthecar.com." She also left a box of
note paper, pens, and a bag of Starbursts. By the end of the day,
there were 42 notes bidding me farewell! As promised, the messages
are posted here on the site. Oh
and by the way, Christina named my sister "Gabrielle". Gabby for
short. |
August 31, 2004 My last day on the road will be will be tomorrow, Wednesday, September 1, 2004. Christina has a new car, but she is bringing me to Northampton for one last day trip before I rest. I'm sure it will be a very emotional day, but I'm glad we get to have one more chance to put my messages out there! I'm very sick and need to rest since there is just not enough money to pay for all the I so desperately require. My new sister, a red 1999 Volkswagon Cabrio was adopted on August 25, 2004. While I am very sad that I won't get to be Christina's method of transportation anymore, I am very happy to say that her new car seems to be taking very good care of her for me. One thing hasn't changed... Christina still gets lots of attention driving a shiny red convertable! |
THANK YOU!!!!! Thank you to Walter from Interstate Towing who fixed me a while back when my muffler pipe fell out of my catalytic converter! I was screaming in pain and then Christina actually tried to restart me... oh, that hurt so much! But, thanks to you, Walter, I felt better for a very long time... ... and thank you to all the wonderful tow truck drivers who have helped me throughout the years! I always took for granted that you were all willing to fix me up on the spot and never realized that you don't do that for just any car. Thank you to the guy at Texaco who fixed me up when my coolant was leaking and my engine overheated. I don't know what Christina would have done without your help! Thank you to everyone at Greg's Auto for all your care when I've been sick or hurt! Someday I'll be in really good health again and Christina will be able to bring me back to you for checkups! Thank you to all the wonderful police officers who have helped Christina out when I've given her trouble... and thanks for not pulling her over all the times she drove me past you speeding. For all the times you've pulled her over and not ticketed her because you liked me, thank you for reciprocating the good vibes I sent your way! Thank you, thank you, thank you to
all the people who have stopped to read me in traffic, in parking
lots, and in all the places you've done so. I will miss you all,
but someday I'll find my way back. |
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