Rock-Stars-of-Aging-by-Marc-Middleton

Rocks Stars of Aging
23
STATE OF MIND
9: Centenarians Are Independent
“I never give it a thought if I’m too old or not. If I want to do it I just do
it. It’s just doing what you want to do and going where you want to
go.” -- Virgil Coffman, 102, world’s oldest new car buyer
Although centenarians are extremely social and active in their
communities, they are also fiercely independent and self-reliant. In
the U.S., almost all of the 700-plus people recruited to the New
England Centenarian Study (NECS) since it began in 1994 had lived
independently until the age of 90. Seventy percent of centenarians
live at home, either alone or with a spouse, and 40 percent of
supercentenarians (110+) could still look after themselves.
We spoke with 102-year-old Virgil Coffman shortly after he walked
into a Chevrolet dealer and plunked down $38,000 in cash to buy a
brand-new, bright yellow Camaro. Virgil specifically wanted the
special Transformers edition with 426 horsepower, "just like the one
in the movie.” Why did he do it? Because he lives alone, loves cars,
likes to take day trips and “the ladies love it.” Virgil told us, “If I get
another car, it’ll probably be a Corvette.” Cruisin’ for chicks at 102.
That’s worth living for.
Rock Stars of Aging
23