Born at the Right Time - The Cars of my Youth

Note:  Pictures are not period-original, but the colors and cars are correct.  Page down to see the complete list if you want to skip the essay.

Born at the Right Time.  This title was used by my Uncle in a book he wrote a few years ago to describe growing up on an Indiana homestead farm.  The same title applies to me.   I'm 16 in 1977, I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I loved cars, cars and more cars.  I worked at a gas station, and used my money to indulge my car hobby.

Between 1977 and 1982, before I turned 21 years old, I personally bought and sold over 20 cars.  

In the 70's and early 80's, cars didn't last like they do  now.  Once a car was a few years old it was nearly worthless.  The most I ever paid for a car in that era was $1500.

I wasn't buying them to fix up and sell and make money, I bought cars to drive, and drive them I did.  I drove them hard, and with the exception of Dad's poor old Mercury, was fortunate to never have a serious accident.

Do I miss those halcyon days of my youth?  Yes I do.  But my memories are priceless, and every once in a while I'll be carving down a country road with my wife or my grandchildren, and I remember... and smile.

 

Here's the list:  

1951 Studebaker Champion starlite coupe

1955 Hudson Hollywood Wasp

1957 Buick Super hardtop

1965 Volkswagen Dune Buggy (rail type)

1965 Jeep Commando pickup with 289 mustang GT motor

1965 Ford Econoline hippy van flower power/shag carpet

1966 Chevrolet Impala convertible (x2)

1966 Pontiac Lemans Sprint OHC convertible

1966 Thunderbird Town Landau 428

1967 Pontiac Bonneville hardtop

1967 Ford Torino 390 GTA hardtop

1969 Toyota Corona

1969 Buick Skylark Riviera Convertible

1969 Volkswagen Van

1969 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia coupe

1970 Toyota Corolla sport

1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

1970 Triumph TR6

1970 Mustang Mach 1

1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 GT

1970 Volkswagen

1973 Capri V6 (x2)

1973 Dodge Dart

1974 purple Gremlin

1976 Capri 2.3

1976 Mazda Cosmo twin rotor

1976 Mustang Mach 1 V6 four speed

 - and of course Dad's car, the car I learned to drive in, a 1970 Mercury Grand Marquis with the big 429 Marauder V8.