Hey all! Marcus here, and welcome back to Carriage House Chronicles, a series where we chat with our friends and yours about one of our favorite topics, old school cars. Last time, I answered questions about my 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62. I am really excited to share this week’s post with you! We got to sit down with Kiel of the Kiel James Patrick brand. Kiel was one of the first people I thought of when I decided to start this series and I was so happy when he enthusiastically agreed to chat about one of his classic rides. My introduction to Kiel started back in 2012 through his distinct photographic content which typically contained one of the fleet. Fast forward to 2020 I actually got to meet Kiel at his store in Newport. To my pleasant surprise he was just as much of a chatterbox as I am. We quickly bonded over our love of old cars and the pain they cause us. For this chat, Kiel chose to discuss one of his Wagoneers and I’m sure that in the future, we’ll chat about the other classics in the driveway. I have an eye on his white Land Rover Defender, Rosenbauer.
Carriage House Chronicles: Kiel James Patrick Interview
1. What kind of car do you have?
A 1984 Spinnaker Blue Grand Wagoneer
2. What made you get the Wagoneer and why this particular model?
The 80’s were the foundational decade of my life. Growing up, my dad never liked flying, so when we went on a vacation it was always my brother, sister, and me in the back bench seat of the car just watching the world go by outside the windows. You just came to appreciate these family cars as adventure mobiles, because when you set out on a road trip you knew something memorable was waiting for you at the end of the drive. So why the Wagoneer? It’s the ultimate Family car of the 80’s. It felt like such luxury at the time to have power seats and a sunroof. And more than that it represents this idea that you can take your dreams anywhere your ambition and a full tank of gas will lead you. So I knew if I ever had the chance I would not let those four wood paneled doors pass by, I was going to get one for my own. That’s what this car means to me. And I’m lucky that now I have two! Guess they’re like potato chips, you can’t just have one.
3. Tell us the story of how you acquired your Wagoneer.
When we bought it I drove out to Bemus Point, New York where we were picking it up. I took the long drive with my good friend and classic enthusiast Sean Burke. And my favorite thing about the trip was the guy selling it to us was just one-of-a-kind. Definitely knew his cars and was just an easy going cool kinda guy. So we meet him for breakfast and everything is going fine and normal, then they bring out this cinnamon roll the size of a steering wheel. Sean and I just sat there in awe watching this guy eat the biggest pastry I’ve ever seen in my life like it was a bagel or something. He finished and gave us a long run-down of Jeep Wagoneers and their history. I’m pretty sure the keys still have a little stickiness to them to this day from that huge cinnamon roll. But you could tell the guy had a real love for these cars and the whole thing was just surreal and memorable.
4. Any funny stories from your first few drives?
Sarah and I are driving up to Woodstock, VT. It’s one of the first long drives we took the car on, it might have been the first actually. Once I was confident we could make it down the road with no troubles I just wanted to take a nice long road trip. So we didn’t worry too much about directions the whole way up, took probably 5 hours to get to Woodstock. When we’re up there, we drive past this sign that says Golden Retriever Puppies available. I couldn’t have found this road a second time if I scoured a map, so it was totally by accident that we were happily cruising on by. We follow the signs and long story short stumble upon the cutest collection of puppies you’ll ever see. Fast forward to picking up our dog, I couldn’t get the radio to work except for a couple oldies channels, so you know how it is you just dial into whatever is coming in clear and listen to that the whole way. So we have our new dog and we’re thinking about names when Elton John- Bennie and The Jets comes on. When I tell you this dog started to howl. It was like fate. We said ok, guess we’re calling you Bennie little buddy. And that is one drive home I will never forget.
5. Has it been easy maintaining the Wagoneer ?
Every classic car owners knows it’s just turn the key, hit the gas, and leave your troubles behind…if only right?! Nah there’s always one thing here or there you make sure gets addressed so everything is tiptop. These cars are rolling members of your family so whether it’s a car wash or a major repair you make sure you stay on top of it. But it’s part of the fun and what you put into them you get out of them ten times over.
6. Now that you have it, what is your favorite part of having a vintage car?
I think like having anything old, timeless, and classic there’s this unspoken appreciation you have because you know it’s never coming back. You can’t just say “oh well I’ll just get the next one that comes out” this is it, they aren’t making these anymore and you can’t recapture the original magic so you realize you’re a part of a special club that is keeping the spirit of this invention going and that’s pretty remarkable.
7. How do you use your Wagoneer? (Weekends,Daily?)
We use our car a lot actually, which you know is conflicting sometimes. There are times where I just want to keep it like a museum piece behind glass, like Cameron’s dad did in Ferris Buehler’s Day off, where it can stay pristine. But then heck you just know this thing wants to be driven and every mile is a memory so yeah I like taking it out whenever an adventure calls.
8. I really love your collection, and I can tell that you do too! You always have a huge smile on your face when you talk about your toys!
Oh yeah- I’m lucky to have gotten my hands on a few really fun cars. We currently have a 1966 Series II that’s an absolute blast to ride around in, a 1971 Jeepster Commando that’s probably the most fun car to drive in the summer and totally something you just don’t see anymore, plus our 1989 Wagoneer, 1956 Ford 100 which is our go-to truck in the fall, and our 1970 Volkswagen convertible champagne edition doesn’t get onto the road that much but is a dream to cruise around in by the beach.
9. Any advice for future vintage car owners?
Find a good mechanic now haha. But seriously, it’s a commitment right? Give them the time they deserve, put in the work and the joy you will be rewarded with is an infinite feeling of freedom and exploration that you just can’t find on any dealers parking lot today.
Thanks to Kiel for coming through and chatting with us! I had a blast. I hope you guys have been enjoying the series so far, I know I’m enjoying creating these posts. You can catch Kiel (and his wife Sarah, on all of the things, blog, instagram and their shop.
Our next interview will be shared next month and it will feature one of the most beloved rides in the classics community. Hey, and if you have one you want to chat with us about, please do! We would love to tell your story of you and your cars’ adventures.
All my best,
Marcus