From the first day I sat behind the wheel of a car I knew then I was going to love driving. In the 1960’s and me in my 20’s was some of the most fun times driving.
I worked for a used car dealer. I was the book keeper, driver and anything else the boss needed me to do. But when I was asked to drive I was always ready.
He would purchase vehicles just across the line in another state, and have me drive some guys to pick them up. Sometimes he would send me in a Cadillac and other times a Lincoln. Can you imagine how I felt driving those fancy cars? I was loving it.
Other times he had me driving pickups, three quarter-ton trucks or two-ton trucks.
I have seen or driven trucks with part of the floorboard missing. One pickup with no driver seat only a large can to sit on. But we managed to get them all driven to the lot.
Once I was sent to take some guys to pick up some vehicles in another city. He sent me in his Cadillac. On the way back to the lot a gravel truck passed me going very fast. One of the rear wheels flipped a rock in the air. The rock hit and cracked the windshield of the Cadillac.
I knew the boss would be very upset about that. I took off after the truck and got close enough to get a tag number and another number on the truck. The boss never told me if he found the driver. He was glad I got the information and wasn’t upset with me.
One morning he asked me to take a guy to pick up a pickup on the other side of town. When we got there we discovered a man had shot him self in the truck and it had not been cleaned.
I felt sorry for the man that the boss had sent to drive the truck to the lot. Poor man drove with his head out the window the whole way. As much as I loved driving I was thankful he did not ask me to drive that truck.
In my lifetime I have driven vans, trucks, and several makes of cars. It never mattered to me what the vehicle was I would drive every chance I got.
I remember other incidents, but they are not as interesting as the ones I have mentioned.
The first vehicle I purchased was a Ford F150 pickup. The second one I purchased was a Pontiac Firebird. I loved that car and it was the most fun to drive.
Not long after I purchased the Firebird I moved to another state. I was needed to send out royalty checks from the place I worked at the time.
They needed me until they could hire someone. So me in that red Firebird drove every weekend for awhile to the neighboring state to get the checks out. I had to watch my speed because that car loved to fly. :) But I loved it and enjoyed driving that car so much.
I no longer drive, but if I could I would still love it.
This blog post was written after finding out a blog friend had driven an 18 wheeler earlier in life. Thank you John.
56 responses to “In the 60’s behind a wheel”
Well written š
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Oh, you are so sweet thank you.
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Mags sounds like an amazing job for someone who loves to drive! When we were dating, my husband had a bright orange firebird, beautiful car.
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It was an interesting and fun job. The Firebirds were beautiful for sure. Mine was red/orange color.
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I love this! I can just see you doing all this. It sounds like wonderful memories.
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I am glad that you love it. They are wonderful memories for sure.
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I am jealous, I wish I could time travel to the 60s just for a day and just sit on a sidewalk and take it all in. Back when everything was made with detail, attention, and quality. The cool cars of that time are just unreal
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I agree. The 60’s were the best of times for sure.
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Thatās some interesting driving!
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It was for sure. I so enjoyed driving.
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A story full of life and adventureā¦ you can feel that love for driving in every memory.
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I enjoyed it for sure. I miss it.
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I’m glad you enjoyed itā¦ I hope you can experience it again soon.
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Thank you so much. Because of age and some issues that come with that I can no longer drive. But I am thankful I have the memories of all the years I could drive. Thank you for your visit and comment.
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Thank you for sharing. Although some things change over time, the memories of everything we’ve experienced remain a treasure that no one can take away. I’m sure each of those years behind the wheel holds valuable stories. It’s been a pleasure visiting and reading your post.
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Thank you for your kind comment. Those memories are precious to me.
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You’re welcome š I’m glad those memories are so precious to you.
Hugs and have a wonderful day!
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Thank you, I did have a wonderful day.
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If we live long enough, we come to a point it is best we no longer drive. That’s a tough decision, isn’t it, Mags?
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Yes, it is Mary. I really miss it at times.
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Great post, Mags! I love that you had so much fun driving when you were younger. I am no fan of driving, never have been! But I did buy myself a Silver & black turbocharged Pontiac Sunbird Convertible when I was on my own (between husbands). That was a sweet car. My sons and ultimately husband Dan drove that car way more than I ever did, but it made me happy just to know I had it. š
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Thank you Anne. You made me smile Anne. I was between husbands also when I bought the Firebird. I bet the silver and black Sunbird was pretty.
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And that’s the end of who might think that bookkeeping and car sales are boring ordinary jobsš
I love driving too and I’m constantly on the road with my girls and leaving a bit outside towns.
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You gave me a laugh with your comment. That job for sure was never boring. It makes me happy to know you also enjoy driving. Happy driving and traveling with you and your girls.
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ššMy grandmother whose car we all grandchildren used to learn to drive was nicknamed grandma on four wheels. She used to drive with her crossbody handbag on, one hand with a cigarette and the other constantly on the horn and believe it or not she never had an accident. One time with her mini she took us all from Venice to Rome to see the Popeš±Nowadays she would be under cautionš
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That must have been so much for all of you. What a fun grandma to have. Nowadays are sure different than back then for sure.
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Yes we gave our car up too. No point of paying the expense when we cant go anywhere now.
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I could barely reach the peddles I had gotten so much shorter. I was short to begin with. I almost got sideswiped twice and I was ready to give it up after that.
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Oh that’s a frightening event you went through. I was a passenger in a car that went out of control and hit a bridge and rolled several times on the other side of the creek so was paralyzed for a while and it did affect me for years afterward though I’m thoroughly mobile now.
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Wow, Ian that had to have been so scary. I can only imagine how it must have been for you being paralyzed. I am sure thankful you recovered from that.
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Fun story–except for the part about having to drive a car that had been used to die. My favorite cars were my Camaro and Datsun 280 ZX.
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I agree. My husband drove a Datsun for years he loved it. Camaros are nice cars too.
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“We were all so much younger then; we are older than that now.”
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Does that mean you can drive automatic and stick?
I didn’t get any āfancyā cars until I was married and once he bought me a fire š„ orange Camero. I was so in love with it but he had a hard time getting in and out cause he is 6ā and I am 4ā9ā š¤£
After the Camero, I had a dark, dark purple (almost looked black) Challenger. It was more comfortable but was a lease so we only had it a year. I’ve had some fun ones but I loved my Hondas too! I just love to drive!
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Yes, indeed I can drive both automatic and stick. I loved shifting gears. You had some cool cars. Thank you for commenting I enjoyed your comment.
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Wow! What exciting things you did!! I enjoyed this post very much. A peek into your past was so much fun.
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I am so glad you enjoyed reading the post Anne. No dull moments in those years for sure. :) Thank you for reading and commenting.
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The TransAm, Firebird, Corvette and Camaro….those cars kept the policemen on their toes! So fast and usually the louder the better. I loved this story, Mags!
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You are right about that Barb. When I was going to the other state to work over the weekend I would get behind a 18 wheeler and we covered some miles quickly. :) I am glad you enjoyed the story. I liked your comment. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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You’re AMAZING, Mags!š
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I don’t know about that Barb. :) Thank you for thinking so though.
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Believe in yourself, lovely. š„°
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I just be myself and enjoy life.
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š
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I had no opportunity to have licence in my 20s, so I had them 10 years ago… and I don’t drive… I don’t like it. I’m afraid of everything and the drunk truck driver run me over last time I was driving – 4years ago… :(
Our car now is huge – 7seater minivan.. and that is not something I know how to park…
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I am so sorry about the drunk driver running you over. I am glad you are still with us. I can understand why you would be afraid after that. In the 80’s we had a large van we were foster parents then. Before I had to stop driving I had not driven on the interstate or busy highways or driven very far from home in years. Being out on the busy highways and interstates is much different now than it used to be. thank you for reading and leaving a comment. .
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Thank you for sharing a bit of your story too ā I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment š¤
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Thank you too. I really enjoy your blog.
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Fun times!
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They were indeed.
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Never a dull moment for you, Mags!
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For sure in my younger days. I had a whole lot of fun.
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Thank you for mentioning my blog, Mags! My family had three GM dealerships, I may have mentioned that and I LOVED driving the Firebird and Trans Am cars in high school! I’m so glad that you loved driving as much as I do, even here in a busy city now. My forst solo drive I can remember was my mother letting me take her Pontiac to the store to buy her cigarettes… š¤š
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You are welcome John. It is so cool to know you loved driving a Firebird too. I wish I could still drive. I missed that Firebird for a very long time and think of it often.
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My favorite restoration would be the 1976 Trans Am, just before the rectangular headlamps were used. 400 cubic inch engine with a manual 5 speed transmission. A REAL car.
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