Every month, Counterman’s “Guess the Car” contest challenges our readers to solve an automotive riddle, for a chance to win $100. And each month, we receive hundreds of responses from aftermarket professionals trying to guess the model of the vehicle depicted.
Judging by the responses, the December contest was one of our most challenging yet. The most popular answer, by far, was the Mercury Mountaineer, followed by the Eagle Summit and the Toyota Highlander. But the correct answer was the Subaru Ascent.
The winner for December is Jerry McKinney, a retail service specialist at O’Reilly Auto Parts in Rock Island, Illinois.
Now, let’s get to know the December “Guess the Car” champion.
CM: How long have you been working in the auto parts business?
JM: It’ll be 20 years in July.
CM: What do you like most about your job?
JM: I’m a car guy. I love cars. It’s the easiest way to be in cars without having people asking me what’s wrong with their car.
CM: What’s the strangest question a customer has asked you?
JM: The strangest one was probably the guy who wanted me to install an alternator in the parking lot.
CM: What’s the coolest car you’ve ever owned or worked on?
JM: The coolest car I’ve ever owned was a 1980 Grand Prix.
CM: Are you a Pontiac guy?
JM: I am. I have yet to see a GM car that had a Pontiac variant where the Pontiac wasn’t better looking than the other versions. It’s just me.
CM: Do you have any interesting hobbies? What do you do for fun?
JM: Sadly, if I’m not at work, I’m usually reading about cars. Like I said, I’m a car guy.
CM: What’s your dream car?
JM: I’d probably say any Grand Prix between ‘78 and ‘87. Or I’d do something weird like a Grand Am or maybe a Can Am. I like the stuff that’s not normal.
