About twelve years ago I bought a 1969 Camaro for a Father/Son restoration project. It was something my oldest son and I thought would be fun, and we dived right in. Soon parts were strewn around the garage, old parts replaced with new parts, lots of modifications to the engine and drive train, and of course lots of canceled checks.
The car has been an on-again, off-again project for many years, with my son finally taking the reins to get it finished. And, now after three engines, completely new sheet metal, new paint, and new interior, it is nearing completion as a "brand new" 1969 Camaro.
But as they say, this wasn't my first rodeo, and I've owned many cars over the years. Just the other day I was talking to a friend about our first cars, and he asked me how many vehicles I had owned in my lifetime.....Don't know, never really thought about it.
Let's see if I can remember them all.
The first car I bought at age fifteen in 1967 was a 1957 Chevy Belair, and that's where the madness started.
1963 Chevy Impala SS 409CI, 4-Speed; 1964 Chevy Chevelle SS; 1967 Olds Cutlass Supreme; 1968 Triumph 650 Bonneville Motorcycle; 1971 Yamaha 250MX Motorcycle (yes, motorcycles count); 1972 Pontiac Ventura II; 1974 VW Super Beetle (first new car and first gas shortage); 1977 Chevy Scottsdale PU; 1978 Buick Regal Sport Turbo; 1967 Chevy Custom PU; 1981 Ford 4WD PU; 1982 Camaro Berlinetta; 1984 Buick Riviera; 1985 Jeep Cherokee; 1990 Nissan Maxima; 1992 Nissan Sentra SER; 1993 GMC 4WD PU; 1997 Toyota 4-Runner; 1969 Camaro; 2003 GMC 2500HD 4WD PU; 2007 GMC 4WDYukon; 2008 Polaris Ranger; and a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser!
Of course there were a few others during the time the boys started driving, a 1995 Jeep Wrangler, 1999 Mustang, then a replacement 1999 Mustang for the one that was wrecked.....all with my name on the title, but without my butt in the drivers seat.
As I look back at the list, each car or motorcycle elicits a memory about a different time or place in my life. The vehicles each had unique personality traits and quirks....and I suppose I do as well. But, as I'm approaching the age of sixty, I think I've just about outgrown my passion for cars and motorcycles, but then again....I've had my eye on this really cool Porsche car.....you know like the Jerry Lee Lewis song Middle Age Crazy.
It may be a tough acquisition though as Miss Elizabeth has emphatically told me NO, something about it not being good on the gravel roads at the ranch.....but what does SHE know.
I was only 12 when you started driving. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed; thanks.