We love Reed for his curiosity, warmth, and the reminder that passion—not horsepower—makes a car enthusiast.

Reed joined the Great Northern Region after watching our cars roll by in the Pride Parade. Inspired, he reached out and asked a friend from upstate New York, “Do I even qualify? I don’t really have a car like everybody else.” His friend replied, “I think they let everybody in.” And we’re glad he did—because Reed’s 2006 Pontiac Solstice fits right in. (It only has 7,171 miles on it, by the way!)

Reed’s first car was a 1985 Pontiac Grand Am, which he bought right out of college. “I needed something for work, saw it, and thought it looked cool.” That Pontiac loyalty runs deep—his dream car today is a 1965 Pontiac Bonneville, admired for its stacked headlights, sharp grille, and sweeping lines. “I know nothing about engines,” Reed admits. “But I love the styling. That’s what draws me in.”

It’s not just the cars, though—it’s the community:

“Everybody’s been very welcoming. I’ve had so much fun at the events I’ve attended. I love looking at the older cars and hearing the stories, even if I don’t know what’s under the hood.”

Outside the club, Reed takes on big challenges for good causes—like riding 150 miles in the MS150 bike ride from Duluth to White Bear Lake to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research. (We’re cheering for you, Reed!)

Ask him about his parent’s 1972 Chrysler New Yorker. “That car was a boat—you could fit five in the back seat and probably more in the trunk. My dad used to say, ‘I don’t care who’s driving it, because if they hit someone, that person’s gone—but everyone inside the Chrysler is fine.’”

We’ll also let you in on a secret: only two people besides Reed have ever driven the Solstice. We asked if that included Victor (his partner), and it sounds like he might’ve moved it out of the garage once—to get the lawnmower. 🙂

Reed reminds us that knowledge of engines isn’t required—only the love of cars and connection.