First cars make great memories
By Kathy McCarty
Ever wonder what your friends or family owned for a first car or what made it memorable? In thinking of one of my first vehicles — a 1970-something Chevy Vega that drank ether, dry gas and anti-freeze like it was going out of style and would have qualified for an automobile AA (anti-freeze anonymous) membership — I began wondering what friends on my Facebook list would say, so I posted the question, “Anyone care to share comments on what your first car was and what made it special?” The following are some of the responses I received.
AWARD-WINNING RIDE — Pictured here is John Trask of Easton in front of his 1968 GTO. John is proudly displaying his trophies he won at the Washburn August Festival’s Car Show. John placed first in the ‘60s’ car division and Best of Show in all classes. Congratulations, John. Your car is a beauty.
My husband, Jim McCarty, was the first to post, recalling the car he acquired as a teenager.
“My first car was a true muscle car — a 1969 Chevelle Malibu two-door. I got it when I was 15 and tinkered with it until I got my license at 16. I loved that car because it had the classic muscle-car look to it and it was a blast to drive. It was fun to pull up next to someone at a stop light because everyone thought they were faster than you,” he said. “The good old days are gone but not forgotten.”
A former co-worker of mine here at the Star-Herald was next to comment.
“I had a 1988 Plymouth Reliant. It was an ugly blue K car that I ran into the ground as a reporter. But it got me where I needed to go when I needed to go there,” said Kristine Harger, formerly of Washburn.
I was a bit envious reading what State Representative Patricia Sutherland, a former neighbor of mine in Chapman, had for a first vehicle.
“A 1966 candy apple red Mustang was my first car. I bought it at the Ford dealership in Caribou. I loved that car, but then I got married the following year and my new husband didn’t so much like it when he couldn’t make it up Prestile Hill one winter night,” said Sutherland. “We traded my Mustang and an old Bronco he had for a new Bronco with a plow for him. What can I say, I was in love. So many regrets over the years — not about the husband, just wish I still had that car!”
My sister also shared her car experience with me, recalling a particular ride that created a lasting memory.
“It was an old, old Pontiac Bonneville. The windshield wipers broke in a torrential rain. My then-husband tied a rope to both wipers and passed it through the car. I pulled the rope back and forth really fast to work the windshield wipers,” said my sister, Sally Magee, formerly of Presque Isle. “The most harrowing part was going past the state police barracks — but we were poor college students then.”
Much like owning a pet, owning a car can and does create lasting memories. Next time you’re with friends or at a family gathering or even at an company Christmas party, put my question to the test. It should be good for a few laughs and plenty of smiles, not to mention a great way to get a conversation going.
