Answering to Murcielago's post called "My beast" made me realise how much enjoyable and unforgettable an old and poor first car can in our early years of driving.
So this gave me the idea to post this tread:
What was your first set of wheels and which facts and episodes do you usually remember and make you smile?
Here goes my own story:
On my first two years of licence, all I drove everyday was an Opel Kadett 1.7d two seater van, wich already clocked 550.000 km.
She was white, strong, and a bit scary in the wet. I always pushed it hard. I've managed to reach 210 km/h in a big downhill at the highway. I've managed to drive it sideways very often. (Even more than I wished to! ) I've managed to make a complete 180š at a highway entrance blocking the road, and not touching the walls that should have a distance between them of something not more than 20 cm of the van lenght. Miraculous! Only a 3 point turn took me out of there. I've managed to make lots of handbrake turns without concern.
One other time, that same loose rear end made me face and touch hard my godfathers wall. Sometimes that beast looked like it had rear whell drive!!!
Friends at work usually laughed and made jokes about me and the van. They used to call it the bakerman's van.
But if you face it the right way, with which would have I played so much without fearing for the tires, the gearbox, the suspension or the engine? Would have I taken so many risks if I had a brand new 106 gti (boy racer dream of the time)? Would have I learn as much as with the damned van? And would I be missing it as much?
I now hown an hi-spec 206 hdi with 90hp, excellent handling, nice brakes, beautiful lines in black, beautifull Speedlines, all the comfort gizmos and a stile that, at least, doesn't scare the chicks.
But I'd be lying if I tould you that I didnīt miss the shadow of the black smoke behind that white rear in the morning. For me, it was the equivalent to a "Gentlemen, start your engines" way of beginning the day.
I have to say to it's justice that it was a bullet proof car, and although it rattled a lot, it had an extraordinary cornering abbility
My Kadett got herself a special carisma. I guess that's why it's good to have a beast to remember from your early years of driving.