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.
The correct answer for the July contest is the Chevrolet Suburban. The winner for July is Charles Peterson, a counter person at Carquest at Country in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Now, let’s get to know the July “Guess the Car” champion.
CM: How long have you been working in the auto parts business?
CP: My wife and I just moved here four months ago. I’m going on three months here at Carquest.
CM: Why did you move to Hawaii?
CP: My wife got a job here. She works with autistic children, and they have a really great clinic here. It was just a good opportunity for both of us, so we went for it – kind of ripped the roots out of the ground and packed up and moved to paradise.
CM: What do you like most about your job?
CP: I think the thing that stands out most about Hawaii is the people. They’re very friendly. It’s one of the friendliest places I’ve ever been. … And so what I like most about my job is that the people of Hawaii are just great to deal with. It makes my job a lot easier just because they are so friendly. We don’t get grouchy people in here wanting car parts.
CM: What’s the strangest question a customer has asked you?
CP: I was gone that day, but we had a lady come in and ask for blinker fluid. … I bought a bottle for the counterman who got that one. You can buy novelty bottles of blinker fluid [on Amazon], so I bought him one for the next time somebody comes in. It’s good for up to 5,000 blinks.
CM: What’s the coolest car you’ve ever owned or worked on?
CP: I owned and operated a speedometer shop in Spokane, Washington, for 15 years. I worked on so many amazing cars there. I think the one that stands out was a ’69 Charger that a company in Idaho had restored. It was so perfect – every nut and bolt was authentic. It was just a beautiful car.
As far as my own cars, I’ve always been into the ’67 to ’72 Chevrolets – I’ve owned dozens of those. I had a ’72 K5 Blazer that was my baby for a long time.
CM: Do you have any interesting hobbies? What do you do for fun?
CP: Up until the time we moved here, speedometers were my hobby and a big part of my life.
CM: How did you get into the speedometer business?
CP: My dad bought the shop right when I was graduating from high school. It was just a perfect opportunity for me. … I’ve been tinkering with speedometers for a long time. I love the old analog stuff; they just don’t make it like that anymore. It was an art unto itself. When I go to car shows, the first thing I look at is the dash.
CM: What’s your dream car?
CP: My dream car would probably be another ‘72 K5 Blazer.
