One of the biggest things people notice at at PV High are each others’ cars. Some people think their car is the biggest part of their appearance. To others, it’s just a source of transportation. Taking a look into the PV student parking lots, people will see a wide range of cars, from a Nissan GTR to a Ford Bronco. Some have been restored for many years, many are brand new, and some are even made by their drivers.
Junior Alec von Hofmann has a very unusual hobby for a highschool student. He has been building, repairing, and restoring vehicles for the past 3 years. This interest started when he was 13, sweeping and cleaning up around an auto shop. Alec is currently driving a jeep made 100% by him. Von Hofmann said building the car cost him about $3000. He says this car is very fun to drive around in. Von Hofmann also said “The floor is made out of a melted filing cabinet.” Part of the fun has to be the danger involved. The car is missing a windshield, doors, and many other safety features that modern cars have today, but,”that’s what makes this car so cool”, says Von Hofmann. He also has built a motorbike from scratch. Both of these vehicles “function”; however, he says he is constantly finding problems with them. His troubles just make it more ‘entertaining’. He also has been fixing up old cars he has found. One interesting car he has recently fixed up is a Volkswagen Bus. It has been parked up above the high school because he has been trying to find a buyer.
There are many stereotypes for cars at Palos Verdes. A common one is that the baseball players always drive trucks. In many cases this is true, but for senior Alex Zoeckler, this isn’t. Zoeckler is currently sporting a 2006 Toyota Prius. He says, “So many people make fun of this car, but I’ve just grown to not care.” He says he saves tons of money compared to his friends on gas. He rarely has to go through the hassle of filling up his car. He also says the stock sound system that came in his car exceeds that of the average car.
Another amazing car that can be found in the PV High parking lot is a Dodge Challenger V6 owned by senior Eric Brothers. “ I got it in October of last year,” he says. “ It’s a hassle sharing with my brothers, but it’s okay, we all switch off evenly.” No attachments have been done with the V6 except for one small detail, which is a sticker on the back. Unlike Zoeckler’s Prius, the V6 does not have the best gas mileage. “Its pretty bad,” Brothers explains. “It gets only about 12 to 13 miles to a gallon, which sucks… but the car looks cool and runs great, so it’s awesome.”
Going back to the PV stereotypes about trucks, a perfect example would be the Chevrolet Avalanche owned by senior Michael Montpas. Montpas says “ I didn’t get the truck because I’m a baseball player, I got it because I really liked it.” Montpas shows his love for the truck with all the improvements and attachments he has put into it. “ I put in a sound system with two subs in the back… I also changed the radio to make it touchscreen, put in new door panels, and put in new rims.” Even though Montpas has one of the most decked out cars on campus, he still thinks he doesn’t have the nicest. “ I think I have one of the best trucks, but not the best… the best truck on campus is probably driven by Harrison Maclean.”
Finally, one of the most unique cars we found in the PV High parking lot is an Audi A4 convertible owned by senior Bella Beckman. “Its a 2005 model, but I got it last year,” she says. “ Its a really fun car, since it’s a convertible… I use it all the time.” Beckman hasn’t added any attachments to her car, and she explains she doesn’t need anything, stating “My car is great the way it is, it doesn’t really need any attachments.”
After seeing all of the cars in the PV High parking lots, it is clear to say we do have one of the most unique varieties on the hill.