Tags
cars, Diana Schwenk, driving, humour, Hump Day Chronicles, Life's like that, living in the moment, memories, Relationships
They didn’t have feelings per se, but each one of them had distinct personalities and I developed a relationship, of sorts, with each and every one of them.
The first, in many ways, was my favourite. Not the best-looking, some might even say ugly, but I’ve heard it said that one never forgets the first.
She was a 1963 Chevy Pick Up with 3 on the tree. Previously a milk delivery truck, she had a hole in the roof where the milk sign used to be.
No problem. We stuck a wine cork in the hole to keep the rain out. Her price was good. $150 as is. We called her Pig.
In spite of her looks, she performed well. Many a winter, with sandbags in the back for extra weight, she pulled 4x4s out of ditches and snow banks.
Once, my boyfriend at the time, sat in a lawn chair and made me change one of her tires. He figured I should know how to do it. You know, in case of an emergency? As he watched me struggle to get the nuts off, he offered, between sips of his beer, “When the nuts are rusted onto the bolts like that, you can loosen the crud seizing them in place if you pee on them…you know, if you don’t have WD40 handy…”
Um, yeah thanks for that…
When I moved to Calgary, and after Michaela was born, a dear friend gave me a car, knowing I needed to get Michaela to day care on work days.
She was a 1977 Volare, mustard yellow, could go from zero to a hundred in 20 minutes.
Needless to say, merging onto highways was a scary feat at best, with the gas petal pushed to the floor, she zoomed at about 40 km/hr down the ramp onto the Deerfoot.
At red lights, folks often looked at her, then me and burst into uncontrollable laughter. Still she had been a gift and served me well.
Next, another gifted car, how-lucky-am-I, a 1983 Cutless Sierra.
At first she was amazing! Cruise control. Electric windows, super-duper power steering – I felt as though I was driving a Rolls Royce.
I mean let’s take stock here for a minute.
This was my third vehicle and so far, I’d paid $150!
I named her Betty and Betty had balls, that is until the electronic-computer-chippy-thingy and fan-belt-or-temperature-regulating-gadget started to go sideways.
Translation: A great loss in power and the need to drive with the heat on full blast, all windows rolled down, during the hottest summer I can remember.
Still she did her part. She got me from here to there.
Then, came my current vehicle.
A 1999 Toyota Tercel.
My first brand-spanking-new car!
I was in seventh heaven. Just imagine driving a car that I didn’t have to put into neutral, with one foot on the brake and one on the gas to keep it from stalling out at a red light!
When I picked her up from the dealership, she had 11 km on her. She was shiny and midnight blue and clean. When I started her up she was so quiet, I wasn’t sure if she was running.
Aside from regular oil changes, she didn’t see any mechanics. I grew accustomed to not having to check the oil or anything else for that matter, I just got in, turned the key and drove to wherever I was heading.
It was life in the fast lane for about 12 years in which time, I’d bought a new battery – that’s it!
She’s starting to show some wear and tear. You know normal stuff. I had the brakes replaced a few years back, got a new water pump, and a few other items like fan belts, I don’t remember exactly.
And then most recently, a few issues were found while my mechanic did an oil change. They fixed her all up with a new gasket and everything was tickety-boo.
But just the other day, she wouldn’t start. I had some friends look at her. There was power, just no spark.
I had her towed to my mechanic, who assures me that aside from needing a new time belt kit, new spark plugs and another oil change, she’s still in remarkable shape.
So here I sit, waiting to hear that she’s all fixed up, so I can go bring her back home.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
What’s your car story? Do you remember your first vehicle fondly?
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kerbey said:
I’m still trying to process that you spent $150. I had a Mazda 1981 626 that used to overheat at inopportune times, so I’d have to get out at the stoplight when it was smoking and pour water in it, and then jump back behind the wheel. It’s very vague. And I recall having just gone to a Jack In the Box in the wee hours with a waiter from my job, and the automatic locks locked up and we couldn’t get out for like 20 min. Humiliating…
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dianasschwenk said:
$150 but then I bought my current car, brand new, for significantly more. 🙂
Scary stuff, adding water at a red light Kerbey! Glad you’re around to tell the tale. ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Ahh the memories Diana I had a two-toned grey cortina, which cost me all of 200 dollars, when you went around corners the door would swing open. So whoever was near that door had to hold it tight. I think about that now and shudder.
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dianasschwenk said:
It’s just crazy to think about the unsafe things I did back then too Kath. Thank God we survived it all ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
My first car was a 1984 gold Dodge Charger… and almost from the beginning, it had a problem where it leaked oil. So not liking to get my hands greasy every day, I had the brilliant idea to put in a *whole bunch* of oil at once so I’d only have to do it once a week. It didn’t take long for the engine to catch on fire and the car to explode shortly after I pulled it off the highway. But I learned never to do that again. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh my gosh Rachel! I had no idea that could happen. Glad you weren’t seriously hurt. ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
My first was a sky blue 1973 (brand new) VW bug I got for college. I loved that car! Put 110,000 miles on it before I threw a rod through the case one night coming home from a girlfriend’s house. Very noisy, very expensive. Needed a new engine.
By the time I got it back I’d bought a Dodge Shelby Charger, and the bug no longer did much for me. I sold the VW to a college kid who I hope loved it as much as I did. I loved that Charger, too! I generally drove “like a maniac” so that car suited me well. (I got speeding tickets, on average, about every 18 months.)
Then there was a GMC “Jimmy” and a Jeep Cherokee. Now I have a 2010 Ford Fusion that I also love. Not a rocket like the Shelby, but I did get the 6-cyl “sports package” engine and tires even though my “maniac” days are (mostly) over. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
mostly over…???
My brother used to say that every person has a certain vehicle that fits their personality Smitty. He thought I should be driving a jeep. ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Yeah. Mostly. 🐱
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earthriderjudyberman said:
It wasn’t my first car, but it was my first NEW car – a Honda Civic (maybe, 1977). Sometimes the door wouldn’t open and I’d have to crawl over the passenger’s side to get out. That became a real challenge during winter in Central New York. Slow? Heck, yeah. I had to pack a lunch to pass someone (it took that long). 😉
My favorite was a 1984 Nissan Stanza. It ran for more than 100,000 miles and served me well for 12 years. Then I sold her as a winter rat to a co-worker. Still worked beautifully.
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dianasschwenk said:
Your Honda was brand new and had all those issues, Judy? Geesh!
When I had my Learner’s permit, my mom had a Datsun B210. I loved driving that car. I believe Datsun became Nissan… 😀
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
I believe I traded it in about 2 years later. Sad. It was a cute little car. But, when our daughters were learning to drive, we got them tanks: Chevy Impalas. They’re built to last. 😉
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vanbytheriver said:
So funny, Diana…”0 to 100 in 20 minutes”. I had your Betty..an Olds Cutlass. Loved it. Lost it to electronics/computer stuff. I never named my cars, but always had a “mascot” of sort on board. I started composing a post about my 99 Suzuki and its connection to Jerry Seinfeld. Still working on it…this post of yours is so timely.. (Great minds/ thinking alike thing??) Such an enjoyable read you have here. ☺ Van
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Van! I think the year of the Betty, they were just learning about all that electronic/computer stuff and didn’t have it quite right. When I bought the Toyota I wanted just the basics because of that experience. I’m ok using my key in the lock and manually rolling down my windows, etc.
Can’t wait to read your 99 Suzuki story Van. ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
Agree on the electronics. My post will be “Dashboard Jerry”. ☺
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dianasschwenk said:
I will watch for it!
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utesmile said:
It’s funny how attached you get to your cars… I remember all mine too. My first one was called Flori because it was Florida Blue… a Golf. the others I didn’t name them but still loved them. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
It is funny, isn’t Ute? Thanks for sharing about Flori. ❤
Diana xo
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Jim McKeever said:
I’m wondering why the lug nut boyfriend didn’t work out. OK, enough of that. … My first was a 1970 Ford Maverick, used. Got it in high school for $625. I made $2/hour pumping gas to pay for it. It wasn’t so great on gas, but back then “petrol” was only 37 cents a gallon. (Not sure what that means per liter!). The engine was so simple, when you opened the hood and looked down, you could see plenty of the pavement underneath. Not much to work with, but it got me across the country and back (barely) to college my freshman year winter break. “3 on the tree” … I love that phrase! My brother had a Plymouth Duster, and I learned to drive a stick in that car. Great memories, Diana. Thanks for that post! Jim
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jim, I love the engines in old vehicles because any fool could know what was what, including me!
Ahh the lug nut boyfriend was a good guy, we playfully kidded each other A LOT.
Reaching for my trusty converter 0.37/gal is about 0.13/L – crazy! ❤
Diana xo
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Don said:
Great post Diana. What histories we all have with cars. My first car was a 1964 VW Beetle. We went everywhere in it. It was while and a bit rusted, much like Pig’s door in the photograph. I was absolutely traumatized the day I sold it. It was like abandoning an old friend with so much personal history.
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dianasschwenk said:
Did you sell it to upgrade, Don? Love your VW story. ❤
Diana xo
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Don said:
Yes it was to upgrade. She was really so tired and looked it. I felt I was betraying her. Sounds a bit stupid hey? But that’s how I felt. I remember her with much fondness.
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dianasschwenk said:
Doesn’t sound stupid to me at all Don!
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bulldog said:
My first was a Morris minor side valve…. 0 to 60 almost impossible… but after many years of different vehicles I now drive a Mazda 6…. 0 to 100 in a few seconds blitz fast and a pleasure to drive….
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dianasschwenk said:
You’ve earned it bulldog! How many vehicles would you guess you’ve had over the years? ❤
Diana xo
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bulldog said:
21
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow!
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joannerambling said:
Tim and I have owned many cars, I have never been too interested in what type of car we have had as long as it ran and got me from a to b
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dianasschwenk said:
I don’t know most cars from my elbow Jo-Anne, but I remember my own cars. ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Oh I loved this. 0 to 100 in 20 minutes. Chuckled out loud! 🙂 Nothing fun about my car stories. These are great. I love the picture of Pig. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
haha Colleen, I was starting to think no one caught that! Glad you got a chuckle out of it. ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
You have amazing luck with your cars, Diana. I think it’s because they feel your love! Your 1999 Tercel still looks peachy to me. Almost mint! Does she have a name, too? I like that you name them. Cool beans. I like my 2011 light blue Chevy Cruze OK. She’s sharp and gets good mileage. My two straight Hyundai Elantras drove better a bit in the winter snow and ice, though. It didn’t slide as much. My first Elantra I gave to my daughter for her first car after I paid it off. MDW Karen gave her her paid-off Chevy Malibu after that one. Elisabeth is on her own for car three!
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dianasschwenk said:
Lucky kids Mark! I did not name the Tercel or the Volare, strange…
I’ve had ups and downs like everyone else Mark, but I have often felt like the golden child… you know, like things just come together? ❤
Diana xo
Totally unrelated I'm writing this response at 10:11pm and there's happy hooting and hollering outside. I don't watch hockey, but something tells me there was a game tonight and the Calgary Flames won. 😀
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markbialczak said:
Hooray for your hockey squad, Diana! I was in a good mood watching the sports news right before bed seeing that my New York Islanders won game one of their series, also! Both teams would have to win three series to meet in the Stanley Cup finals, and we could do a blog wager! ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
that would be fun! Fingers crossed. 😀
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markbialczak said:
Yes, we could have some real fun with that, Diana. 🙂
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Jean said:
Ok, you know me: we’re car-free.
My parents were so poor (with 6 children) in southern Ontario, that we didn’t get our lst car until I was 14 yrs. old. I do remember that ignaural car ride and all of us, kids in the car, quiet as father navigated the car out the driveway….
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dianasschwenk said:
I was 4 or 5 when my dad got the first family car. It was a 3 on the tree Chevy 2 196?! It had a bar going along the back of the bench seat. We kids sat forward and hung on to that bar to see out the front window… no seat belts back then. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Wow, how innocent we all were back then.
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dianasschwenk said:
No kidding!
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Don Royster said:
When I was growing up, there were hit songs about cars. That was back when cars had attitude and personality. Not anymore.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha Remember this one Don? ❤
Diana xo
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Don Royster said:
Don’t remember that one. But here’s one I do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX5RY_aa8sU
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dianasschwenk said:
wow, not that’s reaching back Don. Oh I just thought of that Hot Rod Lincoln song. 😉
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Don Royster said:
Oh, you mean this one:
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dianasschwenk said:
Yup, that be the one Don!
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tric said:
Your post brought back so many memories of crappy cars that meant the world to me. Great post. I hope your motoring again soon.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Tric! I’m picking my baby up tomorrow and bringing her back home. ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Your story is great Diana and it reminds me why I didn’t let my eldest daughter get a fancy car for her first experience! As you noted you appreciated and were grateful as your cars evolved. Some of her friends are getting $25,000 given to them as their first cars! My first car was a rusty Toyota Corolla and it got me from here to there just as well as yours! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Karen! Yeah why should our kids have a brand new car to start when we didn’t have that when we were younger? ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Exactly!! but more importantly they don’t appreciate it or take care of it when we do. So working their way up to a nice car like us, really helps. 🙂
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Val Boyko said:
Gosh – this brought a smile to my face Diana! Thank you 🙂
I recall my first car – a VW “fastback” Valiant that didn’t go fast at all. Not that I got to drive it much – it was a joint present for me to share with my twin brother. I went to University and he got to keep the car at home….
Maybe that’s why I never got too attached to cars 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Anything I can do to put a smile on your face, Val! It’s probably a good thing not to get attached to stuff, right? ❤
Diana xo
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Our Life In 3D said:
Great stories Dianna! Did you ever get that rusted nut off the flat tire on your pick up? My first car was a 1968 Ford Thunderbird, which was my parent’s at the time. They got the new car. Powerful but a gas guzzler! I ‘pinned it’ with 5 friends in the car. I was an idiot. The first car I bought was a little 2 door Subaru. Cute little thing. I rolled it when I went around a gravel curve too fast, then down the embankment. The windshield popped out but we were ok. We folded up the windshield, put it in the trunk and drove away.. THAT was cold… don’t get me started on car stories…. I could fill hours with them 🙂 Nice Post!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Andy – love your story too! ❤
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
great idea for a post 🙂 – When I had a junker, an old ford galaxy 500, about 45 minutes from home I got a flat. Try as I might, I couldn’t get the nutts loose. I called my dad, and he got in his car, drove out on the freeway to me – pulled up put the tire iron on, then took the jack ( the long pipe type instead of the screw types now ) put the pipe over the wrench so the lever was now three feet longer – jumped on the lever and the combination of his weight and the extra length gave him enough power and leverage to get the bolts loose. Once he got them loose, he went back into his car and drove home. Never said a word.
I made my kids change a tire on their cars.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Bill, you somewhat inspired this post with yours a while back! Oh my gosh – your dad is too funny! ❤
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
Then Diana….. 30 years pass…. and I’m in France and Mr Bootier has a flat tire on his Range Rover that he cannot loosen. I take the jack stand use it to extend the tire-iron and viola – loosened nuts. Mr Bootier looks at me approvingly – bon jour, bon jour – he says. I just smile.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha brilliant!
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billgncs said:
sometimes you realize your dad was really smart – smarter than you, sigh….
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dianasschwenk said:
Do you remember that expression: When I was 16, I couldn’t believe how dumb my dad was. When I was 25, I was amazed at how smart he’d become… ? Oh and maybe he learned that jack trick from his dad and got us much pleasure from showing you as you did showing Mr. Bootier!
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billgncs said:
ahh, bon jour, bon jour….
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