Teenage adventures and Hot Rod Joyrides

Ok I give in.  I’ll write a little something about childhood shanigans.  Gayla has let a little cat sneak out the top of a bag!  The Corvette was ORANGE and very SWEET!

My father, who worked for Delco Remy and also owned is own pre-owned car lot involved me, the only child, it all aspects of the car business.  After getting my license I was in a different car every week until I had saved up enough money to purchase MY own car with MY own hard earned money.  One thing about my parents was they taught me the value of a dollar.  The value that most teens have no concept about, the value that means rolling up your sleeves, getting dirty, and sometimes even working up a sweat!  That was usually out at Gayla’s house.  The Farm.  Putting up hay, working out with Auntie in the hog houses, etc.

Anyway on one particular occasion we were feeling a little frisky.  I don’t know if you have seen that movie by Disney called “Holes” (good one by the way) well there was this juvenile nicknamed “twitch” Why?  Because fast cars were tempting and got him all revved up, therefore twitching with excitement he just had to take a joyride!

Gayla and I were feeling the twitch.  We both very carefully evaluated the position of the car, the steering wheel, the radio station, all the things we could possibly screw up that would let the Cat completely out its bag.  Feeling confident that we had the world conquered and were ten feet tall (like every teen I have ever known) we so anxiously got the keys, climbed in, (you know we made several trips to the mirror to make sure we were lookin’ good) started the engine.   I have goose bumps from remembering.  This car was just too sweet!  (79 Corvette and tangerine orange.  B E Aay utiful)

We ventured out of the long driveway checking the time before Mom and Dad were back.  “Cruisin in the country.”  That’s where we lived.  Funny now, outside of our neighbors who had already seen us in the car, farmers in the fields that knew mom and dad, there was not anyone to really impress, but we were just too cool!

We put everything back just as it was!  No mistakes.  I cannot remember exactly what we were doing when mom and dad came home but whatever it was I am so sure it was looking like we had been good little angels that we were and just hangin out.  WRONG!

My father knew right away.  We didn’t think about the fact that the motor generates heat.  And there is a specific smell to the exhaust of a “sports car”.   Who would have known?

That wasn’t the only time I ever snuck the Hot Rods dad would bring home from the sale out for joyrides, and certainly not the last tires squealed and most certainly not the last “Busted by Dad”.

By the way….Our “Dream Cars” that we were insistent on making sure we had custom made for ourselves….Can you guess?….the model is all so typical of a teenagers dream car during that time, however what was so unique was the colors we so desired!

I’ll give you a clue…1979 Pontiac Trans Am…you know the one’s with the big firebird emblem on the hood.  (that car stills excites me) OK OK I will tell you the colors…Are you ready for this?  Blue with Baby blue emblem and Blue with Pink emblem, or was it Lavender and Pink?….Crazy teenage fantasies.

I did own one of these precious cars.  It was Blue and it had a light blue emblem.  It also had a 400 motor in it and after winning several races with my teen guy friends I sold it to one that I beat and made a few bucks.  Bought a mustang then!  The advantages of working for my Dad!  I have enjoyed sharing this one with you.