Thinking of My Car History by Tom McHugh

At 78, I suppose I have the right to start doing those things old people do: reviewing my past and either forgiving myself or others for things I mostly forget; thinking too often about a pain in my left arm, probably due to lack of exercise; or secretly practicing standing like a Blue Heron on one foot, to improve my balance (18 seconds is my record).

But, I am honest when I say I don’t do those things. I plan to live forever, and I’m mostly pleased with the life I’ve led. But in my pauses between jobs, I do sometimes get the strangest need to “categorize” my life using unusual measuring points…and my latest is my person car history.

We all know that America has always had a fascination with the automobile. I have owned 13 motor driven conveyances (not including boats). All were automobiles except for one Czech motorbike, bright yellow, my imitation Harley.

Here is my review, and I’ve tried to put a tag on each one (photos are stock images, not my cars), maybe to help explain my choices.

1959. AUSTIN HEALEY SPRITE (convertible, Robin’s Egg Blue) Pure rebellion. I had saved $2000 the summer I graduated from college (1959)…working on oil tankers, Sun Oil. My mom had picked out a sensible 1954 black Ford coupe. I went to Philadelphia and took my cash, and bought the Sprite. Furious Mom, but she did offer to split my insurance!

1964 PLYMOUTH VALIANT CONVERTIBLE. First “married” car. Black, white vinyl interior, convertible top (white). A reliable Chrysler product. My “settling down” car.

1968. MERCEDES BENZ 300. Small limousine (1962 model) I was in my second year as Assistant Professor of Education, at Washington College. Married. Making $8,500 a year driving the Valiant. By chance, saw the Mercedes on a used car lot. It had belonged to the American Ambassador to Ireland, Matthew McCloskey. It had the two flag inserts on the fenders. Black..leather interior. I bought a chauffeur’s cap…Why did I do this? Maybe resisting settling into the Professoriat?

1973 FORD F-150 PICKUP, WITH CAMPER BACK. In ’74 I accepted an Associate Professor position at Vassar College, and I guess I thought it would be a lark to arrive at that school in a Ford Pickup. It did raise questions.

1976 VW Bug, Yellow. Traded the Ford. I loved this Bug. It was a “between marriages” car. Sold it about 1979 to a Vassar grad. He delivered pizza in it for two years, in the Rockies. Tough car.

1979-2003 (about) A series of Volvo station wagons (before they went upscale), and then a run of Subarus. Dependable, colorless…

Interludes of “wild brain/aging/rebellion” cars.

Not a car, but the Czech motorbike fits here. I was in my 60’s. Nuff said

I almost forgot that somewhere in the late 70s I bought a 74′ Cadillac convertible from John’s Used Cars, at the Fairlee turn on Rt 20. Aztec Bronze was the color; white leather interior, V8, about 9 MPG. I had the name “Lucille” painted on the trunk…and it turned heads at Barker’s Corner, at the first light coming into C’town. Look up “Lucille.”

And, almost forgot…there was a Toyota two seater somewhere in this history, at least it was economical..almost.

So, here I am,78, semi-retired, trying to be practical, watch the rubles, check on my annuity-like my ancient Uncle Bill used to do….And what do I drive? A 2010 Honda Fit, dependable, 39 mpg, good transportation…but at least it has standard shift!

Tom McHugh is retired college professor (Washington College and Vassar College), He is founder and retired executive director of The Mainstay, and is currently serving as Facilitator for Fine Arts with the Kent County Public Schools.