Customs You never forget your first...

Hurts thinking about this, my Grandfather bought it new, my siblings took turns driving it to college and high school, my dad helped me fix it back up, and I stupidly let it go, because I thought I needed the money... wish I still had it just because of the link with them.

 

Never forget my first.....hopefully she won't either.

 

first
, 53 chev pu 216 for a while then 235 .060 over ..first built by me 50 chev 2dr fast back std with 235 a little cam in it.drove it 20k.useing a boat tank.fun !!

 

First car is long gone and probably made into something that has been recycled a few times and the first girlfriend is also no longer here too,both are missed and will never be forgotten.

 

I was 15 (1966). Bought a running 35 Ford pickup from a neighbor, $75. Got my first ticket in it a few days later, will never forget that, mother and I had to appear before the judge at Juvenile Hall! $8 fine! Flathead threw a rod, sold it to my brother broken for $50. He installed a 327 and still has it 49 years later. It's a black and beautiful show winner now.

 

Back in 1962 we had a neighbor that lived behind us on a corner lot,,Mr.Burton was his name,,never knew his first name and from the time I was 11 years old I cut his grass during the summer.

He drove a 53/56 Ford truck to work and had had some kind of accident and walked with a bad limp that's probably why I cut his grass.
Anyway,I would go to his barn and get what I needed to do his yard work and there half covered with a old canvas army tent was a 32 Ford 5-window coupe,

I always looked forward to entering that sacred tomb each summer until that day in early June he told me that my services were no longer needed,,,he explained that he was moving up north to live with his sister,,,he ask me did I want the lawnmower to go into business cutting other folks yards,,,I gladly went to the shed to retrieve the mower and gaze one last time at the coupe,,which had not moved the whole time we lived next to him.

I ask him was he gonna drive the old car to his sisters or pull it,,,His answer was,,No,son,I'm gonna have to sell the old gal,,,with that reply,,I fired back how much?

His answer was already established because 75 bucks came back as quick as I ask.,,,I'll buy it,I said.
He looked at me and said we need to talk to your dad,,,not wanting my dad to say no,,,I told Mr. Burton I would talk to dad tonight when he gets home from work,,,

Next dad I sat outside Mr. Burton's front door,,it seemed to be forever,,but I knew he worked second shift and I didn't dare wake him up,,It just might screw things up.

Around noon he exited his house and ask how long had I been there and if I had discussed the sale with my dad,,I told him I just came over a few minutes ago and dad said it was OK with him,,,,

BTW,,I never once said a word to my dad,,I really didn't need the money,,I robbed my cigar box and with my grass cutting money,birthday money and my entire life savings I had enough money and some change,,enough money to buy the coupe and fix it up,,,Hey ,I was 12 years old,,,I didn't know what I do today.

So,,I handed Mr. Burton my hard earned cash and we proceed to unearth the coupe,,man,That car was nice,,original black paint,flathead V8,and all 4 tires were shot and rotten,,,but I had the biggest grin on my face as I fought with all my might trying to guide it as Mr. Burton pulled it behind his truck across his yard into my parents side yard.

I was the happiest kid in the world for about three hours,,,,

That was when my dad got home,,,,the first words out of his mouth was what was that junk car doing in our yard?,,,from there it got ugly,,,he called Mr. Burton,,,woke him up,,remember,,2nd shift,,he was a little more than annoyed,,he and dad got into a debate about not clearing it with him first and that I was 12 years old and had no business with a car and for him to come and get it out of his yard,,and if he wanted to,,,keep the money Danny gave you for lying to us both,,,and he would take care of me,,I knew what was gonna happen,,they don't call this part of the country the Bible Belt for nothing.

Heavy on the belt,,,,long story coming to a end,,,Mr. Burton gave me my money back and had a big laugh,,,a few days later both he and the car were gone,, never to be seen again,,,,

Many years later my dad and I talked about what had now become known as the ol' ford coupe incident and how he never dreamed that I would ever be able to restore and build cars from the ground up and how badly I wanted that car,,,,and how he was proud of me when people would stop by our business and ask about the different cars that
I would drive to work,,,,,,,,

At that time the 32 Ford coupes were already reaching unheard of prices,,and he just couldn't believe it.

A few weeks before he passed away the subject came up again,,he said I sure hope you find a old coupe like that one someday,,,,I told him,,it was probably a good thing he didn't let me keep it,,I would have tried to made a hot rod out of it and gotten myself killed ,,he smiled and said,,Nobody will ever know son,,we can't go back,,but if I could,,,I you would let to keep that car.

All you guys got is my word on this ,,,all the players are deceased,except me,,,nobody knows what happened to that 32 coupe,,,but I'm willing to bet the owner ain't 12 years old!

The first car I bought & got to keep was a '54 Ford. HRP

 

I was born into the Antique car hobby so I cant remember my first ride in one. My first time driving I was 13 and drove around the block with my dad in our '23 T Depot Hack. Driving that T didn't confuse me too much because I had never driven anything else. Driving back to the garage I got a little excited and pushed the Clutch pedal all the way down (In a T that is first gear) and ran over a bush. Dad couldn't stop laughing at me. He then told a story about My mom driving that car and doing the same and running into the back of My grandfather's 1910 Overland. Gramps couldn't stop laughing at my mom either. Thankfully nothing was hurt either time!

 

I wanted a British Ford Escort.....my Dad said to save up and get something decent......so I bought a 1957 Chev Belair 4 door sedan. In the early 1990's this was a big deal. I was a very happy boy......once I figured out how to un jam the manual column shifter when it got stuck between 1st and 2nd!
I should have kept it....but i would not have built my 1946 Ford coupe if I had.

 

Found her today, on a used car sight from Arizona. She hasn't been registered since I sold her in 1996. I can't afford her, My heart just sank. What I wouldn't give.