That special car that first got you interested in cars
10-01-2007, 11:36 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
That special car that first got you interested in cars
Lately I've been shopping around for a late '50's/early '60's MGA. I can honestly say that this little car first made realize that cars were indeed something special and was the starting point for me all things automotive. My father's friend son was restoring a '59 coupe in his garage in the mid seventies, and I never forgot it's graceful lines and elegance.
I know there are a lot of enthusiasts on this board, and I'm curious to hear what you would choose as that one special car that got you interested in automobiles. What was it? Where did you see it? What effect did it have on you? Did you ever eventually obtain one? Just thought it might be an interesting topic.
I know there are a lot of enthusiasts on this board, and I'm curious to hear what you would choose as that one special car that got you interested in automobiles. What was it? Where did you see it? What effect did it have on you? Did you ever eventually obtain one? Just thought it might be an interesting topic.
10-01-2007, 11:43 PM
#2
Yeehaw
Mine was a 1990 Ford Mustang LX Coupe. When I was 17 a buddy of mine bought one, and it was just fantastic. Made me realize how much fun a fast RWD car is. I bought a 1994 Mustang GT a year or so later.
I've had a few pretty nice cars since then, but nothing compares to the thrill I got the first time I drove that Mustang.
I'd love to pick up a '90 Mustang someday and build it up. My buddies looked like this...
I've had a few pretty nice cars since then, but nothing compares to the thrill I got the first time I drove that Mustang.
I'd love to pick up a '90 Mustang someday and build it up. My buddies looked like this...
10-01-2007, 11:56 PM
#3
Senior Moderator
1986 Camaro.
I was only 6 when i remember my dad buying it. Granted it was only the V6 model but it was the first car we had that was brand new. Then of course i later fell in love with the IROC.
To this day i still always look at them when i see one. Too bad most are rusted out or modded behind ugly.
I was only 6 when i remember my dad buying it. Granted it was only the V6 model but it was the first car we had that was brand new. Then of course i later fell in love with the IROC.
To this day i still always look at them when i see one. Too bad most are rusted out or modded behind ugly.
10-01-2007, 11:58 PM
#4
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The Series 2 (SA/FB) Mazda RX-7...
10-02-2007, 12:00 AM
#5
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to the IROC - my dad used to own a used car lot & I would beg him to bring home IROCs as often as possible. I'll own one eventually 
however, for me it was a black on black 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS
I've cooled off on them since then, but when my dad slid into the driveway w/ one for the first time, I'm fairly certain I pooped my pants off. I wasn't old enough to drive it by any means, but I spent hours just sitting in the car furiously building my desire for all that it automobilia.edit: Nice thread idea...if it isn't a repost, I'm amazed no one has started it. +1 for good memories, teranfon.
Last edited by revitupwriteitoff; 10-02-2007 at 12:02 AM.
10-02-2007, 12:12 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
Yeah, its amazing the memories we have of that "special" car. I can still remember walking into that garage and seeing that bright red MGA, with its wonderful wire wheels and the smell of fresh paint and leather. I was only a twelve year old kid, but the guy restoring it answered all my questions and put up with the phone calls the following year.
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10-02-2007, 12:35 AM
#9
Yeehaw
Originally Posted by teranfon
Yeah, its amazing the memories we have of that "special" car. I can still remember walking into that garage and seeing that bright red MGA, with its wonderful wire wheels and the smell of fresh paint and leather. I was only a twelve year old kid, but the guy restoring it answered all my questions and put up with the phone calls the following year.
Terry
Terry
10-02-2007, 12:36 AM
#10
Senior Moderator
Beetle. I was 2.
10-02-2007, 12:50 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by srika
Beetle. I was 2.
10-02-2007, 01:00 AM
#13
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by BEETROOT
I remember the smell of my Mustang the first time I got in, the exact feeling the first time I stepped on the clutch, and then the gas. I can practically smell the dash cleaner I used right now. I used to wash it every other day and wax it twice a week. I remember just sitting in my driveway looking at it...
10-02-2007, 01:07 AM
#14
Yeehaw
Originally Posted by teranfon
How long did you own it?
10-02-2007, 01:11 AM
#15
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my older cousin used to always talk about mustangs, so i grew up on that..still love them today..my first car was a stang, v6, but still nice because i liked em so much..
10-02-2007, 01:49 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by SkillmatiC
my older cousin used to always talk about mustangs, so i grew up on that..still love them today..my first car was a stang...
I began looking at the 67-68 Mustang GT fastbacks (the "Bullitt" Mustang) about 6 months thereafter, and have eyed them since, without ever buying one. In SCCA autocrosses, there were dozens of nicely-turned out Shelby Mustang GT350s (mostly '65 and '66 models) over which to salivate. If I get the time, I'm going to get a '68 302-4V or Shelby GT350; I might even settle for a '69-70 351W Mach 1, assuming I don't run into a nice Aston Martin DBS V8 or Maserati Indy to buy first. The timing light and dwell meter are still around somewhere in the garage...
10-02-2007, 01:59 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by Yumchah
Herbie...?
I would say "chicken" everytime I saw one thereafter - I was trying to say Volkswagen.. 
and oh yea - great thread
Last edited by srika; 10-02-2007 at 02:03 AM.
10-02-2007, 02:17 AM
#21
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10-02-2007, 03:03 AM
#22
failhard.
I'm a late bloomer, I got interested in cars when I was like 14, 15 .. I remember looking at a Ford Lightning and saying "I'm gonna own one of those someday." I dunno, something about a fast pickup truck just screams out uniqueness. That's what I found I like in cars; its uniqueness .. I've grown fond of the CL-S because it's so rare. The design is bland but flows well. I've also grown very fond of the '04-up GTOs because of the same reason.
I will definitely own both a GTO and a Lightning someday.
I will definitely own both a GTO and a Lightning someday.
10-02-2007, 03:47 AM
#23
I don't know if it really counts but at ~3-4 years old the first words I learned how to say were Toyota, Honda, Civic and Camry. So I've always been into cars... I used to love the Countach and F40 since I was old enough to remember, but I never really saw one in person...
But my very first true interest was a 1999 Civic Si. I still remember very clearly. Mom, sister and I were at the Honda dealer to buy a white 1997 Civic EX (which they still own) but when we walked inside I saw a Electron Blue Si in the showroom. I stood there and stared at it, and walked around it for a good 5 minutes, and read all the specs on the window sticker. I only left its side when my mom pulled me away to look at the other Civic. I even tried to convince them to get the Si in the showroom.
I still want one.... realistically I could afford it, but fear of thievery and rape through insurance pushes me away.
But my very first true interest was a 1999 Civic Si. I still remember very clearly. Mom, sister and I were at the Honda dealer to buy a white 1997 Civic EX (which they still own) but when we walked inside I saw a Electron Blue Si in the showroom. I stood there and stared at it, and walked around it for a good 5 minutes, and read all the specs on the window sticker. I only left its side when my mom pulled me away to look at the other Civic. I even tried to convince them to get the Si in the showroom.
I still want one.... realistically I could afford it, but fear of thievery and rape through insurance pushes me away.
10-02-2007, 05:35 AM
#24
an asshole from florida
It would probably be a chevelle body that was sitting in my yard just being used for parts when my dad was building his 81 cutlass supreme. The thing looked so darn cool. Then when i was about 15 my friend had a vr6 supercharged gti and i fell in love with speed
10-02-2007, 07:35 AM
#25
10-02-2007, 07:52 AM
#26
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Growing up, my neighbors always had muscle cars. GTOs, Firebirds... but my favorite was the 69 Camaro RS/SS - looked just like this one.
for me, the car that got me into cars was ashamedly, KITT...lol...I thought it was the coolest looking car out there...then I slowly got into foreign cars and liked foreign design better....
10-02-2007, 08:19 AM
#27
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Actually, my 1980 Honda Accord got me into cars somewhat but, my passion began when I picked up my 1989 Plymouth Colt GT.....a car that should have retained. At the time, there was little aftermarket support but, now--> LINK.
10-02-2007, 09:49 AM
#32
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1)Porsche 911 turbo....8th grade my doctor took me out in his cuz he heard me talking about it with my mom. It accelerated so hard it made my hip twist back. Amazing. I was hooked after that.
2)92 z28 heritage edition. My brother got one ... not quite sure how he swung that. I didn't have a car and I was the older one
That car was sweet. I will have one again one day.
3) 86 560sl convertible. My uncles. What a sweet car. He would let me borrow it every now and then when I was in high school. I felt like a king. It had some power, too. I will own one of these as well. They still look gorgeous.
2)92 z28 heritage edition. My brother got one ... not quite sure how he swung that. I didn't have a car and I was the older one
That car was sweet. I will have one again one day.3) 86 560sl convertible. My uncles. What a sweet car. He would let me borrow it every now and then when I was in high school. I felt like a king. It had some power, too. I will own one of these as well. They still look gorgeous.
10-02-2007, 09:55 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by joerockt
A friend in middle school brought a car rag in with a pic of this on the front:
The Vector. And I've been hooked since...
The Vector. And I've been hooked since...
What did it for me was ferrari's the sound & the looks
10-02-2007, 10:17 AM
#34
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Great stories. What I find interesting is that for the most part it was cars we actually owned, remember seeing, or experienced as opposed to vehicles we read about in magazines or saw on television. I think in some instances the actual experience of seeing these cars was just as important as the car itself.
10-02-2007, 11:09 AM
#35
Yes it is!
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My mother told me she used to put me in a high chair in front of the TV and put on Dukes of Hazard. That probably planted the seed.
My dad back then drove a black Pontiac Phoenix with rust on the roof. I just remember the rally wheels on GM cars in those days, hanging out at the car dealerships while the car was getting serviced. Mom's Oldsmobile Firenza wagon with wood panel sides.
Little bit later it was Smokey and the Bandit. I was just obsessed with black Trans-Ams and screaming chickens. I had Hotwheels/Matchboxes of all of them. Transformers and Mask probably helped too.
I think growing up in the 80's just about every kid had a poster of a yellow Lamborghini Countach with it's doors open on their wall. That probably opened my mind to the exotics.
In college the serpentine belt snapped on my hand-me-down '93 Olds Cutlass. The fraternity brother helping me out had an '88 Honda Accord coupe. I remember getting inside that thing and how nice it looked for it's age, and then he told me how reliable it was. First job out of college I save up for my own car and Honda/Acura was the first thing I looked at. Here I am.
My dad back then drove a black Pontiac Phoenix with rust on the roof. I just remember the rally wheels on GM cars in those days, hanging out at the car dealerships while the car was getting serviced. Mom's Oldsmobile Firenza wagon with wood panel sides.
Little bit later it was Smokey and the Bandit. I was just obsessed with black Trans-Ams and screaming chickens. I had Hotwheels/Matchboxes of all of them. Transformers and Mask probably helped too.
I think growing up in the 80's just about every kid had a poster of a yellow Lamborghini Countach with it's doors open on their wall. That probably opened my mind to the exotics.
In college the serpentine belt snapped on my hand-me-down '93 Olds Cutlass. The fraternity brother helping me out had an '88 Honda Accord coupe. I remember getting inside that thing and how nice it looked for it's age, and then he told me how reliable it was. First job out of college I save up for my own car and Honda/Acura was the first thing I looked at. Here I am.
10-02-2007, 11:59 AM
#36
Senior Moderator
76 Ford Pinto Mpg. Drove it home on 3 cylinders (it was cheap), and replaced the 2.3L with one out of the local junkyard. I learned how to work on cars on that one. That car is the reason why I have a thing about lightweight RWD affordable cars.
Actual picture (mom's kcar and my parts car in background):
Actual picture (mom's kcar and my parts car in background):
10-02-2007, 12:16 PM
#37
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by teranfon
Great stories. What I find interesting is that for the most part it was cars we actually owned, remember seeing, or experienced as opposed to vehicles we read about in magazines or saw on television. I think in some instances the actual experience of seeing these cars was just as important as the car itself.
I still remember the smell of the gray cloth seats. I was in the back and commented on how the back of the headrest looked like a butt crack.
Honestly, i dont know how i remember all that since i was only 6. Weird.
Thanks for the memories teranfon!
10-02-2007, 12:20 PM
#38
I can't believe nobody has mentioned Speed Racer. That did it for me. During the summer I had to be home by 3:00. It wasn't the show really - it was the Mach 5. The lines on that car, the sound, and of course all the special features. Might explain my fondness for the TL. So many things to play with.
10-02-2007, 12:55 PM
#40
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My folks bought me an 86 Toyota MR2 when I was 16 and it got me into cars more than anything else. I got a JC Whitney magazine and added a PaceSetter Exhaust, Intake and Headers and loved it. To this day no other car can get close to the way I felt when I drove that car and I have had some pretty nice cars since then. I guess it is like your first girl or something.