Any of us with a passion for automobiles has a story that most likely includes our parents. Their passions, skills, lessons, road trips, and experiences, can’t help but rub off and ignite a bit of our excitement for motor oil and burnt rubber.
For me it was a 1949 MG TC.
When I was five years old my father bought an old MG TC. In my eyes it was a wonderous machine whose tall louvered grill, engine turned dash, Jaeger gauges, and soft leather seats might as well have been a magic carpet. That’s me with my little sis Lisa and dad with his pride and joy.
Rides with dad in the MG were a treat beyond words.
Dad let my sister and me ride on the shelf behind him and mom, and on those lucky excursions when it was just him and me, the left seat was mine, like the driver, because it was a right hand drive car. If I close my eyes I can smell the smells, hear the engine clatter, and taste the warm summer air.
That set the hook that continues today with my passion for car.
Dad taught me right from wrong, strong morals and ethics, empathy and compassion for others, and to always work hard and wait to purchase the best you can instead of settling for second best. It always brings a smile remembering back to Dad behind the wheel of his MG, singing that song he made up about our dog Heidi, and enjoying the ride.
Thanks Dad!
My dad died when I was very young. But my stepfather had an auto repair shop. I was already into hot rods and motorcycles when a war vet showed up in a funny little car and gave me a ride. It was a ’47 TC and I have been hooked on short wheelbase sports ever since. Many thanks to my stepdad and his army vet friend.
Thank you Bill – I’m sorry your father passed when you were so young. Thank you for sharing your MG story!
For me it was a 1952 Jaguar 120. My Dad had a friend that owned a shell gas station, and in 54 his friend bout the Jaguar. Power blue, very dark blue interior. Kilometer speedometer. My Dad’s friend took me and My Brother Gerry for a “spin”. We went out on the “highway”. Returned via the old figure 8 overpass. The owner, Kenny, took that figure 8 back at 85. (KPH). I was hooked. SAW MY first Corvette that same year.
Bill Hegger
Thank you Bill – Sounds like some great memories.
My dad had a MG TD, I forget the year, but it was great fun. Dad started me on the road to cars and I’m still on it. Margie and I had a MG TF1500, great car except for the Lucas electrics.
Thank you Bruce – I didn’t know you had a TF along with all your other cool cars over the years. I need to go for a ride with you in that old VW bug.
Mark: I see the resemblance!
Thanks Steve! I got my father’s hairline and a wee bit of his creative talents.
With four (always) hungry boys and not much disposable income, my dad’s car choices were usually big wagons–not too exciting. Once he bought a Simca, but it didn’t stay for long. My main memory is not so much the cars but how he bought them. Every few years he would do it without telling anyone–including my mom–until he drove home in the new one. I don’t know if I could get away with that technique now.
Thank you Bill – As always value your friendship.
My Dad was the most patient man I’ve ever met. Some of that was being a career Air Force officer, some was having 5 kids, some was growing up with an orchard-managing father, and some was being an accountant.
However, some of my favorite memories centers around the fact he would purchase cars or trucks or motor homes for a single use and finance the trip with the vehicles. My favorite example is my senior trip in high school, Dad, Mom, Myself and my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) went on a trip from Cheyenne to Seattle via Jackson, The Tetons National Park, and Yellowstone National Park on the way up and the Oregon Coast, Sequoia Natonal Park, Mount Shasta, and over I80 on the way back. Great trip! However, Dad thought it would be better in a motor home so he found a 1969 Chevy Stepvan that had been converted into a Winnebago shaming home in wheels. Buying it for $2800 and selling it for $4500 afterwards basically paid for the trip. That among so many other lessons in economics have stuck with me my entire life.
Thanks Dad!