The title is not a catfish at all, and that is correct 567.000 miles, or more than a trip to the galaxy, and back in the 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente, the 93-year-old Orlando Grandmother had no choice but to step on the brakes after 18 batteries, 8 mufflers, 3 husbands… due to age-related issues.
Rachel Veitch bought her last car when a gallon of gas cost 39 cents, “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena” was a radio hit, and Lyndon B. Johnson was president.
The woman is a retired nurse and mother of four children; she purchased “Chariot” in February 1964 for $3,289 from a dealer in Sanford, Fla.
The car outlasted her three marriages and required at least 17 batteries, eight mufflers, numerous oil changes, and three sets of shocks.
“My Chariot has never lied or cheated on me, and I can always rely on her,” Veitch explained. (Rachel addressed Chariot as “she” or “her.”) “When my previous husband and I divorced in 1975, he took the 1972 Pontiac we had and I kept the Chariot. I’m sure he’s traded cars a few times by now, but I still have my Chariot, my loyal pal.”
Veitch told us that the classic car — which has frosty air conditioning, an automatic transmission, and a “lousy” 15 miles per gallon — has been featured in several car shows across the country and even drove her all the way to Pennsylvania for her 70th high school reunion in 2007.
The dream car of the old lady was renovated in 2002 after she got a speeding ticket for going 92 Mph in a 55 Mph zone.
She stated that the main reason for her almost obsessive devotion to the vehicle is that it has been in her care for nearly half a century.
“No one wants to talk to me anymore,” Veitch explained. “They’ve had enough of hearing about my Chariot.”
“When I go to the gas station, I write down the mileage, the date, and how many miles per gallon I get,” she explained. “I’ve never been a destructive person, and I’ve always taken care of everyone except my husbands.”
For her 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente nicknamed “La Chariot,” the woman was an active member of several organizations, including the National Association of Antique Car Club.
Rachel’s journey came to an end on May 11, 2017 in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 98.
