My First Car
My junior year, Daddy gave me a car–a 1948 Nash. It was ten years old, but looked like new. Where he got the money for it, I’ll never know–he probably traded a cow for it. Instantly I became one of the most popular girls in school, however much to my discredit, I obtained some revenge by ignoring all those kids who had been so mean to me--the country bumpkin. With my own wheels, I lived at home my junior high school year.
Every morning I would drive my brother and me to school, 25 miles thru a mountain canyon, with tunnels and switchbacks–a mountain cliff on one side and a drop off to the river on the other. One winter morning, the road was covered in black ice and I probably was going a bit too fast, when I touched my brakes, the car spun around, my brother was as scared as a little girl, but all was well, I ended up heading in the right direction. After all I was sixteen. I do remember after that being a little more careful driving mountain roads in winter.
That car is pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteI had a '74 VW Bug. This is in 1989 and everyone thought it was awful ... except me.
It's great going down memory lane sometimes, isn't it?
That was an awesome car and so surprised you still have the picture.
ReplyDeleteGlad you and your brother were safe on that mountain road!
sandie
Hearing about your experience reminds me of how frightful I was last year during the winter when my daughter would drive down to school. Glad everything was okay! What a picture!! And traded a cow for the car? Hysterical!
ReplyDeleteNice car.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a car until i was out of school and working. I had to borrow my parents cars until then though.
My first car was a red 1970 Challenger.
I would love to have that car today; it's got such character and class.
ReplyDeleteMy first car was a Pontiac T-1000, which I had for all of a year and a half before someone backed out in front of me and it was totaled - even though I was only going 25mph at the time. It was a good starter car.
My second car was a Pontiac Sunbird; a gunmetal gray 2-door with a very sporty vibe. It is still my favorite car. It was a 5-speed, got fantastic gas mileage (52 mpg highway), and I had it for 11 years until the New England rust got the better of it.
Skidding is scary. I used to have a little red Fiesta. I was on my way to work one morning when the car in front of me suddenly skidded all over the place. It must have been a patch of black ice because before I knew I was skidding way out of control too. It was so lucky that the road was clear in the opposite direction other wise it could have been quit nasty. Love the picture of your first car - what a joy to own!
ReplyDeleteYikes! I can't imagine having to travel that road for 25 miles to get to school. Quite a story! Oh I love the old hymns, too.
ReplyDeleteLoved this share!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog. You have a wonderful blog! And you like Alan Jackson and the Moody Blues, what good taste you have!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to find you!
Kay :-)
Hi Marti, that was quite an adventure you had in those days driving to school! Glad you are here to tell about it. Take care, Cheryl
ReplyDeleteAlthough I was born in '58, I learned to drive in a similar car or older. My uncle took me out to the hen lot, which was in the orchard and had me drive around dodging chickens and apple trees and the hen house. A push button ignition- a Plymouth? Sounds as if you must have been quite a good drive to maneuver all of that! xo, Cheryl
ReplyDeleteMarti, I love your blog! I so enjoyed reading about Ruthie and your first car and then having Eva Cassidy to listen to really was icing on the cake! Take care, Janice
ReplyDeleteYou were already driving your own car at the age of 16? Wow! I’m sure that your almost “car accident” experience made you a more responsible driver. Stay safe and keep your focus on the road!
ReplyDelete-Nettie Christensen
Your daddy is so sweet! He had to trade a cow or something like that just to be able to buy you a car! Vintage cars never go out of style and they don’t look old in any way! And I hope that your “almost” first car accident made you a responsible driver.
ReplyDelete-Ivo Beutler
As I read your story, I can imagine those other great and treasured moments of you with your car. Well, that’s how we usually are when it comes to our first car. It’s like every moment we had with them is a once in a lifetime moment. ;)
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