[TriciaR]

1954 Willys 4dr, sedan!

Thanks for sharing @RaceCityZ — a 1954 Willys 4-door sedan is a real classic! Those had such a distinctive look. Do you remember how it handled compared to other cars of the time? And was it passed down to you, or did you find it on your own?

 

[TriciaR]

1961 Ford Fairlane that my brother won in a raffle and gave to me. It was a 3 speed on the column and I had to learn how to drive it, but I was determined.

What a great story — thank you for sharing it @Ree ! A 1961 Ford Fairlane won in a raffle and then gifted to you by your brother? That’s pretty special. Learning to drive a 3-speed on the column must’ve been a challenge, but good on you for sticking with it. Do you remember how long it took before you felt totally confident behind the wheel?

 

[TriciaR]

1964 Olds Cutlass. Great car

Thanks for jumping in and sharing @Tye-dyed ! A 1964 Olds Cutlass — now that’s a solid, stylish ride. They had such a sleek look and smooth drive. Was yours stock, or did you add any personal touches to it? And do you remember what made it stand out to you at the time?

 

[TriciaR]

After I graduated college , in 1964, my parents gave me a red 1964 Oldsmobile. I was married in 1965 and we later sold the car to my sister in law. She left her St Bernard in the car for a few minutes one day and he ate the dashboard. My poor car, that I loved.

Oh no — what a story! Thank you for sharing it with us @Gram2three . A red 1964 Oldsmobile sounds like such a beautiful gift and a wonderful first car to start off that chapter of your life. I can’t imagine how you felt hearing about the St. Bernard’s appetite for dashboards! Did your sister-in-law ever manage to repair it, or was that the end of the road for your beloved car?

 

[TriciaR]

It was a 1966 Mercury Park Lane I bought in 1974. I was working at a gas/service station. I pumped gas, cleaned, ran errands, and completed small mechanical work. I gentleman brought the car up to the station & asked the mechanic if he knew anyone that wanted to buy a car. The mechanic had the guy pull it in & looked under the hood & under the car. He asked the guy, "how much?" the gentleman said $200, & the mechanic said "Be back here tomorrow at 6pm & I will have a cash buyer for you. The guy was thrilled & as he was leaving, I asked the mechanic, "Who's your cash buyer?" & he answered "YOU!". I reminded him I was only 15 years old & couldn't buy a car. He said the car was too great of a deal & that I should buy it. I said OK. I got home that evening & told my parents I was buying a car. They both said "You can't buy a car." I said O well & went to sleep.
The next day I stopped at the bank & took out $200. At the time that was half my life savings. I then went to work at the station at 5pm.
AT 6pm the gentleman with the 66 Mercury pulled in. I gave him the $200, we went to the drug store next door, got the title signed & notarized, & I get the keys. I told the mechanic my parents said I couldn't buy a car, but they were wrong as I had just bought a car. The mechanic said the notary at the drug store knew me from the station & just guessed I was over 18. I drove it home after work & my parents said "What is that?" I told them I could buy a car & I did. They said we didn't mean you "can't buy a car" we mean you CAN'T BUY A CAR!". I asked "What should I do? I have the notarized title and everything. "They said "You better not drive it till you have a license & You better take care of it. They finally agreed I could drive it to work if I was doing any work to it. The station was .1 mile away, 1/10 of a mile. I worked on the car almost every day & took the long way home. It was a boat & I was the first in my circle of friends to have a car. Oh, the stories I can't repeat.

What an incredible story — thank you for sharing it in such vivid detail @rust1 ! That 1966 Mercury Park Lane wasn’t just your first car — it was your first big leap into independence! I love how the mechanic saw something in both the car and you, and how you made it happen, even at 15. Your parents’ reaction was priceless — “We didn’t mean you can’t buy a car…” It sounds like that car came with more than just horsepower — it came with some unforgettable adventures too. Do you still have any photos of it? And have you ever come across another car that gave you quite the same thrill?

 

[TriciaR]

It was a powder puff blue Dodge Dart GT 1965 with a blue racing stripe down the hood, and a push button transmission, and a thrush muffler. LOL. What a ride!

What a fantastic ride — thanks for sharing that memory @Robinbro ! A powder puff blue ’65 Dodge Dart GT with a racing stripe and a thrush muffler? That sounds like a real head-turner with some serious personality! Did you get any reactions cruising around in it? And was the push-button transmission smooth sailing or a bit of a learning curve at first?

 

[TriciaR]

it was an old ford galaxy 500 don't remember the year but my biggest memory is having a car full of kids and when i hit the key it went poof and flames shot out from under the hood 1 of the 6 kids froze so I had to pull her out popped the hood and threw a quilt on top of the engine and smothered it out. I didn't have the money for another car but it took me a whole 40.00 for new hoses wires and a rebuilt carburetor and she was back on the road again so I learned 2 things that day my niece is a freezer if anything scary happens and fords are always dogged but that was my first car and i traded it in for a 1974 ford pinto hatchback a few years later so needless to say I am not a ford hater..haha

Wow — what a wild and unforgettable story! Thank you so much for sharing it @bigmisfit ! That old Ford Galaxie 500 definitely gave you a crash course in emergency response and car repairs — and you handled it like a pro. It’s amazing how a $40 fix brought it back to life! And yes, sounds like you learned two very valuable lessons that day Do you ever think about that moment when you see smoke under a hood now? And how did the Pinto treat you after that dramatic first car experience?

 

[TriciaR]

My car was a 1968 Buick Skylark. White body with black rag top. I was 18 fresh out of high school. I told then boyfriend (we married in 1973) to ride with me cause my tank was full. Off we go. After driving several different places and picked up a burger my car stopped. My boyfriend/husband knew abt cars. I had ran out of gas. The needle didn't work. I was so mad. He had a friend to bring gas and we went back to the dealership. He knocked something off what I had paid cause I had paid cash.

Thanks for sharing that memory @pserra63 — it’s such a great mix of excitement and “welcome to car ownership”! A white ’68 Buick Skylark with a black rag top must’ve looked sharp, and what a way to break it in! Running out of gas on your first outing is something you never forget — especially when the fuel gauge is to blame. Sounds like your then-boyfriend-now-husband handled it like a champ too. Did the dealership ever fix the gauge properly, or did you just get really good at guessing after that?

 

[TriciaR]

My first car was either early 60’s or late 50’s. It was a 3-speed on the column. I was always afraid when I had to stop on a hill and there were cars behind me. Oh, and it was a convertible. I bought it from my Grandma.

Thank you for sharing @Lillylou — that’s such a lovely memory! A convertible with a 3-speed on the column sounds like a fun ride, but I can completely understand the nerves when stopping on a hill with cars behind you. That clutch juggling can be tricky! Buying it from your grandma must’ve made it even more special — do you remember what color it was? And did she teach you to drive it, or were you already confident behind the wheel when you got it?

 

[TriciaR]

Blue Ford falcon,was my grandpa's...loved it

Thanks for sharing that sweet memory @Wolfmama ! A blue Ford Falcon that once belonged to your grandpa — that must’ve felt really special to drive. There’s something extra meaningful about having a car passed down from family. Do you remember how old it was when you got it? And did you ever take it on any memorable adventures, or was it more of a trusty everyday car?

 

[TriciaR]

My first car was a 1973 orange VW "superbug" that I acquired in 1980, when I was a junior in college. It was named Ludwig. I loved that car and kept it until around 1985, when the engine just gave up. I've always loved driving a stick shift — and still do to this day.

Thank you for sharing that @CubbiesMom — I love that your Superbug had a name! Ludwig the orange VW sounds like he had loads of character. There’s something so satisfying about driving a stick, isn’t there? Do you remember any road trips or college adventures you and Ludwig went on together? And have you had another manual car since, or was Ludwig the one that started it all?

 

[TriciaR]

‘68 Ford Mustang with 302 Boss engine. Painted Richard Petty blue

What a beast of a first car — thanks for sharing that memory @Careymc ! A ’68 Ford Mustang with a 302 Boss engine, painted Richard Petty blue? That’s pure muscle and style rolled into one. Did you do the paint job yourself or get it that way? And how did it handle — was it as powerful as it sounds?

 

[TriciaR]

My first car was a 1951 Ford Victoria, standard shift, things were simple then,
on my way to work one day, the clutch arm? Let loose, I called my dad, he had some wire or rope, I crawled under the car and wired it up and got it home! I was young and dumb, it was an ugly brown and tan, so I got some spray cans of paint,
white and blue, and painted it. Can’t imagine what people would say today! Good
old days!

What a fantastic story — thank you for sharing it @Capaten1 ! A 1951 Ford Victoria with a DIY paint job and a clutch held together by wire — now that’s true first-car spirit! It’s amazing how resourceful we had to be back then, and it sounds like you handled it like a champ. Do you remember how long your spray paint job held up? And did the car earn a nickname after all your handiwork?

 

[TriciaR]

My first car was a 1964 Chevy Nova. It was given to me by my father’s friend. His mother had passed away and he didn’t need the car so he gave it to me. The only problem I had with it was every time it rained, it wouldn’t start. Lol

Thanks for sharing that memory @peachroses65 — what a generous gift, and such a great first car! A 1964 Chevy Nova has such classic charm. That rain-starting issue sounds like a quirk you’d never forget — did you ever figure out a fix, or just learn to check the weather before making plans? And do you remember what color it was?

 

[TriciaR]

'A '62 Rambler classic in which the front seat laid back to make a bed! It was white with a blue interior, and I painted the roof flourescent green!!

That’s such a fun memory @That old man! — thanks for sharing it! A ’62 Rambler Classic with a reclining front seat and a fluorescent green roof? Now that’s some serious personality! I bet it stood out wherever you parked it. Did you do the roof paint job yourself? And did that “bed mode” ever come in handy for naps, camping, or maybe a little stargazing?

 

[TriciaR]

1939 Plymouth coupe. Black, of course, with a huge trunk. Ran beautifully, took it to Florida from Ohio in 1960. Wish I still owned it!

What a classic beauty — thank you for sharing that memory @Dotecon ! A black 1939 Plymouth coupe with a huge trunk sounds like it had both style and practicality. Driving it all the way from Ohio to Florida in 1960 must’ve been quite the adventure! Do you remember how it handled on that trip? And if you did still own it today, would you restore it or keep it just as it was back then?

 

[TriciaR]

My first car was a red 1964 1/2 Ford mustang convertible with ponies on the seats. I drove it home, parked in my parents' driveway and it never started again. The mechanic picked it up and couldn't find the problem so he gave me my money back. I used that money as a down payment on a blue 1971 Plymouth Duster. I really wanted that mustang though!

What a rollercoaster of a first-car story — thank you for sharing it @klm613 ! A red 1964½ Mustang convertible with pony seats sounds like an absolute dream… even if it turned into a bit of a heartbreaker. I’m glad the mechanic was honest enough to give you your money back, though I can imagine how disappointing it was. Did the blue ’71 Duster win you over in the end, or did you always secretly keep a soft spot for that Mustang?

 

[TriciaR]

1970 Mercury Montego

Thanks for sharing @pcparker ! A 1970 Mercury Montego — now that’s a solid first ride. They had such a distinctive look and a smooth drive. Do you remember what color yours was? And was it your daily driver, or more of a weekend cruiser?

 

[TriciaR]

The year was was 1978. I was 15 years old. The lady I baby say for sold me her 1969 Chevy Malibu for $500 that I paid $75 a month. I wasn't even old enough to drive it on the streets. So I drove it in the mobile home park where I lived because that was private property. Imagine what a 9 year old vehicle would go for today!

What a fantastic memory — thanks so much for sharing it @Madison1963 ! A 1969 Chevy Malibu for $500 at age 15? That’s a serious score! Driving it around the mobile home park must’ve made you feel like you ruled the roads, even if they were private ones. Do you remember what color it was? And did you keep it until you got your license, or upgrade once you could officially hit the streets?

 

[TriciaR]

My first was a 49 Chevy straight stick. Am very short so my Dad built up all the pedals and seat for me and i sat on a pillow. Being brave and adventuresome, drove from Iowa to South Tx alone. And not very old either. Went down near Padre Island.

What an incredible story — thank you for sharing it @Arkie98 ! A 1949 Chevy straight stick, custom-fitted by your dad so you could drive it comfortably — that’s both sweet and resourceful. And driving solo from Iowa all the way to South Texas? That’s seriously brave, especially at a young age! Do you remember how long that trip took, and did anything unexpected happen along the way near Padre Island?