WOODBURY — Nonnewaug has an impressive student parking lot: Super Duties, Mustangs, and BMWs.
But the most underrated car is hidden in between.
Scott Bodie doesn’t know what embarrassment is. Despite everyone’s comments, Bodie takes pride driving his 1998 Alero; he has created an iconic symbol of Nonnewaug’s senior parking lot.
“I spent $3,200 on my car,” said Bodie. “Some people think it’s junky, but it just adds character. I’ve done ‘modifications’ to my car to make it a little more fun, and because it makes my friends laugh. Obviously the ladies like it, too.”
Bodie’s confident personality deflects all of the negativity people have to say about his classic car. In his opinion, “money doesn’t buy style.”
“My car only gets 9 miles per gallon,” said Bodie. “It also does have rust all over it, but I personally think the rust really adds to its beauty. It just gives the car some character.”
Bodie is known for his sarcastic sense of humor and never fails to make anyone laugh. Bodie’s car quickly became a staple to Nonnewaug’s community, representing the impact Bodie has all over campus.
His friends have learned to go along with his jokes, and not only appreciate the ridiculousness, but add on to it.
“Scott’s car is the loudest, most attractive Oldsmobile I’ve ever seen,” said Ethan Heinrich, a friend of Bodie’s. “Each time I see it, I want to get in the passenger seat. Any girl would be lucky to take a ride in that car.”
His legacy extends all over Nonnewaug’s campus. Students from every grade, and teachers that never even had Bodie in class still know who he is.
“Bodie’s car is a masterpiece,” said freshman Aiden Lessard. “It’s such an iconic car. As if Scott wasn’t attractive enough, his car really tops it off.”
Anyone who has passed Bodie’s car while driving downtown knows he does not blend in with the traffic. There’s a million tiny silver cars, but Bodie’s car differentiates himself from the rest.
“Over time I have put hot pink tape on the outside, pink fuzzy steering wheel cover, capybara seat covers, tons of bumper stickers, different license plates, and we even cut off my muffler,” said Bodie, cracking a sheepish smile that’s both a combination of pride and ironic humor. “My friends find my car so amusing that they have gifted me all of these additions. I haven’t bought a single thing.”
While Bodie’s Alero might not technically be a luxury car, it’s considered priceless to all of Bodie’s friends.
“I love Scott’s car,” said Nick Mancini, who’s known Bodie since the two were freshmen four years ago. “I think it’s so funny that he can get so much enjoyment out of his little car. I honestly think it suits him well, and it’s probably the rowdiest car in Connecticut.”
Being a high schooler driving an expensive car is not reasonable, hence why Bodie has chosen to make the best out of his classic car. He uses his car to reflect his vivacious personality, turning heads and creating endless laughter.
“I would much rather drive a Corvette,” said Bodie, “but there is no other first car that would be as iconic as my Oldsmobile.”
