Owner: Joe O'Connell.
Occupation: Owns Creative Machines, which creates interactive art and science exhibits.
Age: 39.
Ride: 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance.
Nickname: "The Iron Tarpon" or "Mackerallac."
Back story: O'Connell bought the Caddy in San Diego in 1991 when he was a grad student. He then drove it from California to New Jersey and on to Florida. The car was initially in mint condition, but the humidity and rain in St. Petersburg eventually took its toll and it started to rust. In 1995, instead of refurbishing the car, he took a cue from an artist friend and cut old newspaper printing plates into diamond-shaped pieces like scales — since fishing is popular in Florida — and secured them to the car with sturdy, double-sided tape. He moved to Tucson in 2001, had the car shipped and then started his own business. He uses the fish-car on pickups and deliveries. "When you do something a little unusual, it breaks down barriers between people," he said.
People are also reading…
Reaction: In Florida, he came out of the movies one night and found a police officer sitting on his car, telling him she felt like she needed to protect it. "Nobody messed with it," he said. "People kind of respected it."
Miles: 230,000. "It's so hard to kill these big V-8s," O'Connell said.
Vouch: When he can't fix something, O'Connell swims the Tarpon over to Cubbons Automotive Service, 3149 E. Columbia St., 573-9542.
Nothing compares: Poor Sinéad O'Connor. She can't sell records, and the ones she does are used by folks like O'Connell to operate their car. O'Connell jams an old O'Connor cassette tape he found on the side of the road in between the hood's pull-handle to keep it open. "Nothing else will work," he said.
The experience: The engine has a low rumble upon startup, and the interior has crushed-velvet blue seats. There is some duct tape to hold in some of the door foam. Also, the power windows and seats operate perfectly.
Ride pride: "I made it evolve," he said. "I think people appreciate that."
– Kevin W. Smith
• Exterior covered in printing-plate scales.
• Buttons that say "Nitrous" and "Eject," which really just operate the lights and high beams.
• Spacious rear seats have fold-down footrests.
• An old 8-track player that ate his Donna Summer tape.
Tell us why your ride is totally awesome
Show off your ride. We don't care if you own the biggest rust-bucket on the planet or the sleekest, most tricked-out Mitsubishi — if you're proud of it, tell us why. E-mail your entries and pictures (if possible) to kmith@azstarnet.com.
