Advocating for Van Life with Artist Neko Case from Anti Records”Please note that Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue from items linked in this article.”Neko Case, a talented singer who has received three Grammy nominations, saw her album Middle Cyclone reach #3 on the Billboard charts. Her music has been featured in popular shows like True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, and The Hunger Games. A key member of the indie rock group The New Pornographers, her powerful voice has been likened to a “vocal tornado” by the New York Times. With such an impressive resume, it’s easy to see why we are huge fans of Neko Case. And if her musical talents weren’t enough, she also has a passion for cars.
At the age of 54, Neko Case, who initially had a deep love for horses, delves into her personal experiences in her captivating memoir, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You, published by Grand Central in 2025. She reflects on the connection young girls have with horses, emphasizing that it’s not about anything ‘erotic’ but rather about the desire for physical freedom and equality.
Neko Case’s fondness for cars stems from a similar yearning for freedom, which she sought from a young age despite facing numerous challenges including a difficult upbringing and financial struggles. She found solace in music initially, collaborating with various artists in her youth in the Pacific Northwest. However, her true sense of liberation came from driving. She recalls the thrill of being in control of her own destiny while behind the wheel, feeling like she was in her own world.
With determination and grit, Neko Case purchased her first car, a faded yellow 1964 Ford Falcon, for $350. She learned to drive on her own, skipping the DMV entirely. Every drive was an adventure for her, a taste of freedom that she cherished. She also taught herself the ins and outs of maintaining her car, viewing it as a way to challenge societal norms that discouraged her from pursuing her passions.
When she later sold the Falcon and acquired a bronze 1963 AMC Rambler Classic 660 for $50, Neko continued to deepen her mechanical skills. She rebuilt carburetors and replaced generators, defying stereotypes and proving that her gender should not limit her capabilities.
Neko Case’s journey with cars mirrors her fierce independence and determination to defy expectations. Her story is a testament to the power of following your passions and breaking barriers, regardless of societal norms.
When Case began her touring career, she upgraded to a classic road vehicle: a van. She owned several of these boxy haulers, but her favorite was a 1988 GMC Rally STX with a unique half-brown, half-silver color scheme, powered by a 6.2-liter Detroit Diesel engine and a 33-gallon tank. The van, affectionately nicknamed The Beaver, was cherished by Case for its reliability and long-distance capabilities. The Beaver even made an appearance on her album cover. Eventually, Case sold the van to musician James McGuinn, who continues to use it for touring.
While Case no longer owns a van due to the snowy conditions in her Vermont home, she still has a soft spot for them. She now drives a silvery-blue 2021 Subaru Outback called The Mackerel and a 2024 GMC Sierra pickup, though she hasn’t formed a strong bond with the latter due to its lack of music connectivity.
Despite her current vehicle choices, Case’s affinity for classics remains strong, as evidenced by her involvement in a Broadway musical adaptation of the feminist road trip movie Thelma and Louise. She is composing the music for the stage production, drawing inspiration from the iconic 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible featured in the film.
Reflecting on her passion for cars, Case expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss her automotive interests and humorously mentions her desire to convey some feedback to GMC regarding her vehicle’s connectivity features.
