17 January 2009
My brother, Chris, is nothing like me. And yet, the more I grow up, the more I realize we’re really pretty similar. He builds—and rebuilds—cars. Porsches, specifically. And he does it with a perfectionist eye and a uncompromising hand. Recently, his hobby of restoring old 911s in a way that is both historically accurate and yet adds something to the modern discussion has had him published in a couple big-name Porsche magazines—like this article here, in Excellence.
I grew up with him working constantly in our garage—doors open—and walking back from elementary school, all the kids would gawk at the fancy cars inside. They would say that my family must be so rich because we had numerous Porsches (in various states of disrepair) in the driveway. “They’re just old cars,” I would reply disdainfully. I hated the attention and so I grew up thinking I hated the cars.
Fast-forward… A couple years ago, I’m walking through a mall in Provo and I saw the Air Jordan XX1s. A lost love for basketball shoes rekindled immediately on the spot. It has sense grown into some sort of obsession that, strangely enough, has brought me a greater understanding of my brother’s “art” of choice—something I would have never considered it as a kid.
This is not a Porsche. It’s a Bently. But as I’ve matured a bit, I’ve realized that living next to my brother, I unknowingly developed an eye for automobile aesthetic. And this, I think, is a nice looking car.
Now check this out:
This is the Air Jordan XX1. And it is gorgeous! When D’Wayne Edwards designed the XX1s, he leaned on the Bently Continental GT for inspiration—as MJ’s post-basketball hobbies have him riding fast in the racing world. I love the cross-inspiration of the desing. Bringing the agressive beauty of a sports car to the feet of the greatest basketball player of all time… Genius. I’ve always thought my brother would appreciate these kicks.
