Let’s see your first car.

[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

My first car in early '60's. I think I was about 12 years old when the guys in Shop Class were undertaking projects to build a Hydroplane (I lived in Florida on the Gulf Coast) and my parents said "no way". So, I twisted their arms and said I won't even think about building one of those if you buy me a car, so that's what happened. They knew I was a car guy from a toddler....always had a car in my hands, then model car building (won awards in the Revell/Pactra Model Car Contests...remember those?). I could drive with my "Learners Permit" at 14 in Florida, so I was all set. I worked on my '55 for several years, including installing a new 327 crate engine (pulled the 6 cyl...great engine, but I had to have the V8)! When I turned 16 it was ready the first trip to High School! This is a pic my Dad took of me on my way to High School for the first time in my '55. Good times!!!

[69M22Z]

Originally Posted by Chevelle SS 396 L78

My first car in early '60's. I think I was about 12 years old when the guys in Shop Class were undertaking projects to build a Hydroplane (I lived in Florida on the Gulf Coast) and my parents said "no way". So, I twisted their arms and said I won't even think about building one of those if you buy me a car, so that's what happened. They knew I was a car guy from a toddler....always had a car in my hands, then model car building (won awards in the Revell/Pactra Model Car Contests...remember those?). I could drive with my "Learners Permit" at 14 in Florida, so I was all set. I worked on my '55 for several years, including installing a new 327 crate engine (pulled the 6 cyl...great engine, but I had to have the V8)! When I turned 16 it was ready the first trip to High School! This is a pic my Dad took of me on my way to High School for the first time in my '55. Good times!!!

Great story

[markinnaples]

Originally Posted by Chevelle SS 396 L78

My first car in early '60's. I think I was about 12 years old when the guys in Shop Class were undertaking projects to build a Hydroplane (I lived in Florida on the Gulf Coast) and my parents said "no way". So, I twisted their arms and said I won't even think about building one of those if you buy me a car, so that's what happened. They knew I was a car guy from a toddler....always had a car in my hands, then model car building (won awards in the Revell/Pactra Model Car Contests...remember those?). I could drive with my "Learners Permit" at 14 in Florida, so I was all set. I worked on my '55 for several years, including installing a new 327 crate engine (pulled the 6 cyl...great engine, but I had to have the V8)! When I turned 16 it was ready the first trip to High School! This is a pic my Dad took of me on my way to High School for the first time in my '55. Good times!!!

Great story. Are you still on the Gulf Coast of FL?

[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

Originally Posted by markinnaples

Great story. Are you still on the Gulf Coast of FL?

No, I'm in Pennsylvania now. I do miss Florida, but there are some good things about living outside the Sunshine State (but not much!). I lived in Sarasota for around 20 years total (moved back after college, and living in Illinois where I bought my '67 Chevelle SS L78 in '67).


I do remember growing up in Sarasota in the late 50's when it was mostly orange groves and no condos on the keys...was pretty nice back then! And we rarely used the a/c!