1953 Buick Riviera and a Great Conversation

Yesterday, we headed just over the Guilford County line, to Kernersville and struck up a conversation with the owner of this 1953 Buick Riviera. The conversation started with asking for permission to take a photo of the car and ended with a great story. The car is owned by Rodney Robles, photographed above. Mr. Robles inherited the car from his grandfather 30 years ago, when his grandfather, John Wesley Lowery, died at the age of 104. Mr. Lowery, a horticulture and forestry major,  was the first Native American to graduate from Virginia Tech. Mr. Lowery left his vintage cars to Mr. Robles because of his grandson's love of cars and his willingness to "talk cars" with anyone interested- like us. Not only did Mr. Robles talk about his vintage cars (he has more than one), he let "Ms. Greensboro Daily Photo"  sit in the driver's seat and get her picture taken. If you attend antique car shows, you may already know Mr. Robles, or at least recognize his cars. They are the ones painted in Virginia Tech colors as grandfather was a proud and loyal alum.  While Mr. Robles still works, he is retired from his career as a state trooper. 

On another note, Greensboro is preparing for Tommy Orange's visit here to talk about his book, "There, There" and how wonderful it would be if Mr. Orange would have an opportunity to meet Mr. Robles and his family. In his book, Mr. Orange articulates the west-coast, Native American experience masterfully. After a few short minutes of talking with Mr. Robles, we are confident he could share some great east-coast, Native American stories. He and his family are originally from Lumberton, NC. Both men would enjoy each other tremendously. Mr. Robles, ever the gentleman would have stayed and talked longer, but he was on his way to take dinner home to his wife. Her dinner will arrive in style and be delivered with a smile! 

Comments

[Katja]

Beautiful car and it seems like Mr. Robles is a very friendly fellow!

[William Kendall]

Quite a car!

[Jane Mitchell]

Great post. So good to become acquainted with Mr. Robles, especially after just completing Tommy Orange’s “There ThEre” which I highly recommend to all..