On good weathered days, it would go a top speed of 50 mph, woohoo... The car was so small and low, I often felt as if I was driving one of those matchbox cars, just not as sleek. The view was something to be jealous of, I had the previlege of seeing the underside of almost everycar infront of me, ahhh those were the days...

When hurricane season kicked in, my car's version of defrost was rolling down the windows and sticking my head out to get a better view. On those days, I resembled and smelled like the interior of my car, all shaggy and wet.

However there's a special feeling I get whenever I think about my first car, a feeling of freedom from debt and the ability to go wherever I needed to go, eventually. Insurance was about a quarter of what I pay for my current car, not to mention the mileage 30 miles to the gallon. Not bad for a clunker...

Well I didn't have a car in high school; I rode the school bus or my mother's red-hot Datsun which would not start on most days until you had pushed it up the hill and then let it roll down while trying to get it started. It generally took 2 tries. And for those having to do this on a regular or even semi-regular basis, here's a hint – don't tell jokes while you are pushing. Laughing and pushing are mutually exclusive activities and going to school with tread marks down your back is not a good way to get attention.

I do remember my first car – got it in college – it was a tan Plymouth. The most memorable thing about it was its transmission going out on the way back from the mountains one day and getting tolled home. It was a good car otherwise and I loved the freedom it gave me. I don't guess you ever forget your first car – like a rite of passage.

Thanks for another great post!

Oddly enough, my second car was a teal green, 2 door, 1963 Pontiac Tempest coupe. This one was automatic, with the shifter on the dashboard. I called her "Sweet Pea" and my dad painted a little dude with a can of beer in his hand on the rear. I loved this car and wish I still had her.