What was your first vehicle?

[Tabascocat]

I've seen these kinds of threads before on other sites and it's amazing how many camaros, trans ams, firebirds, corvettes, mustangs and other muscle cars everyone got as their "first" vehicle.

I've had several friends that tell those stories too despite me knowing the truth ..

They simply do not count the mom's old clunker, dad's old beat up truck, the family suv/wagon, grandpa's Buick/Oldsmobile, etc. they got before that or in some cases, instead of that cool vehicle ..

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, these cars were a dime a dozen and most weren’t in perfect condition. To get your hands on one these days is special, back then….not so much.

 

[Reality]

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, these cars were a dime a dozen and most weren’t in perfect condition. To get your hands on one these days is special, back then….not so much.

Back then my parents and my friend's parents had the mindset of, "you'll be happy with whatever vehicle we decide to give you or you don't have to have one".

It was not about availability or price.

 

[Tabascocat]

Back then my parents and my friend's parents had the mindset of, "you'll be happy with whatever vehicle we decide to give you or you don't have to have one".

It was not about availability or price.

Yea, most parents had that mindset back then. It was rare for the 16yo to get that fancy car to brag about. Luckily, I got to pick my first few cars as long as they weren’t brand-new. By the third total, my dad said you get what you get now

 

[Cowboys5217]

Mine was a 68 VW Beetle. I didn't get much use of it as it always had problems.

A couple years later I picked up a used 84 Nissan truck. That one lasted me a few years.

 

[Khartun]

One of these. LOL

 

[morasp]

used 1973 Ford F150 pickup. Paid $2500 cash for it after I graduated from HS. Got me through College and to my first job after in California.

 

[CyberB0b]

89 Mazda 626. Took a turn too fast and crashed into the curb. Bent the frame, so to drive it straight, I had to slightly turn it left. I had to replace the right tire with a used one every few months.

 

[cowboyec]

1990 midnight blue olds eighty eight.
great first car.

 

[nightrain]

First car I ever purchased was a 75' Monte Carlo. Awesome ride.

 

[SlammedZero]

Mine isn't as glamorous as most of yours, but mine was a 1989 Nissan Hardbody. My generation came up during the "minitruckin'" scene, so that was what was all the rage for me. I had it lowered on air shocks, shaved the door handles, put in a stereo with two 10" subwoofers, and eventually got it painted this cool candy apple red that would turn orange under the streetlights.

Looking back, it worked out great because that was my dream vehicle, and it was actually attainable. And I got it. I wasn't a kid dreaming of some Corvette or something I'd never have a chance of getting my hands on at that age.

I would never ever build a lowered minitruck at my age now lol. That era came and went, but looking back, I had a great time with that truck.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I've seen these kinds of threads before on other sites and it's amazing how many camaros, trans ams, firebirds, corvettes, mustangs and other muscle cars everyone got as their "first" vehicle.

LOL. Thinking the same thing. Mustang was the first one I had when I had enough money to be selective. But then again, never had a parent buy me a car. Worked for everything. Went through at least 2-3 pieces of crap before getting to the sports car.

 

[Catpappy]

66 Impala. 283 power glide

 

[Hardline]

None of the cars you guys are reminiscing about were as cool as my 2002 Toyota Echo.

I currently drive a 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4

 

[SMASHMOUTH9473]

1972 white Chevy Nova, two door, straight 6, 3 on the tree (typical grandma's grocery getter).....I was the 3rd owner. I regret selling it.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I've seen these kinds of threads before on other sites and it's amazing how many camaros, trans ams, firebirds, corvettes, mustangs and other muscle cars everyone got as their "first" vehicle.

I've had several friends that tell those stories too despite me knowing the truth ..

They simply do not count the mom's old clunker, dad's old beat up truck, the family suv/wagon, grandpa's Buick/Oldsmobile, etc. they got before that or in some cases, instead of that cool vehicle ..

There were brothers that used some old camaros and the firebird for racing. Had stripped out the regular seats and put in different ones and roll bars.

From what I remember the brothers had died and the mom was selling the firebird and two camaros cheap because she did not want to see them anymore. All needed a lot of work and all were sold really cheap. She wanted them gone.

Dad bought me the firebird. His Buddy bought the two carmaros for his three sons to use. I think one was a 69 and the other a 78


They put in the original seats back in. I think for a large amount of time I had the car, the seat belts were in a brown paper bag in the trunk lol.

It had it's problems. The brakes had some issues so you would need to pump the brakes to be safe. Old 350 needed to be warmed up a bit when it was cold and we had to set the idle a little hire to get it going. Later when it got warm we had to set the idle back a bit. The speedometer was off as well. Dad and I got on the interstate so I could pace him to learn the true speed. It normally registered about 20 mph faster than the actual speed...which was fun to scare friends that did not know.


It really needed a lot of work. But I loved that car. It got some looks to be sure. But as I stated above...to this day I still regret selling it when I went into the army. Really should have sent back money into an account to have it worked on. Would have been really nice if I had done that.
Oh well, young and dumb.

Now...I did have to drive my moms crappy citation a few times when the firebird was getting worked on. Talk about a total change in power when you hit the gas pedal lol.

On a side note...who misses the dimmer switch on the floorboard?

 

[Creeper]

I bought a 1955 Ford Fairlane with a stick shift on the steering column for $100. That was in 1968. I wasn't old enough to drive at the time so I let my brother drive it. He wrecked it and I never got to drive it on the street.

The first car I ever owned and drove was a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker with a 413ci engine and a push button automatic transmission. In a strange lifetime symmetry my latest car is Honda Passport with a push button gear shifter.

 

[DUO_CORE]

1971 Khaman Ghia

 

[remdak]

Blue 1967 Ford Impala. Hand me down car my Dad gave me in 1980 when I was 16. It wasn't a great looking car, but I had a few people wanting to buy it to get the 327 engine.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

1971 Khaman Ghia

Well now that one was not an ordinary car to see.