Cars as Stars 45th Carnival of Genealogy

The prompt for this Carnival of Genealogy

Cars as stars! Next to purchasing a house, a "new set of wheels" was the next most significant purchase for many families. What car played a starring roll in your family history and what roll did it play? Did your family build cars or tinker with them? Did they take "Sunday drives"? What was your first car?

My parents' first car - The photograph was taken on Manitoulin. The year was 1955. I don't know what kind of car it was. Perhaps, an auto historian will know. My parent's didn't have an automobile when I was born. When it was time for me to be born, mom went to the hospital in a taxi. I am not sure how soon after my birth that our family purchased a car.

This is a Chevrolet, I believe. The photograph was taken in Detroit in 1960. We had gone down to the United States for a short holiday. As a family, we took several trips where we drove to the United States. I recall going to Cleveland, Washington DC and as far south as northern Kentucky.

Here I am with my first car in 1970 - a Dodge Dart. I only had my learner's permit when I purchased the car. I had to learn quickly as I was going to start teaching in the fall and I needed a vehicle to get across town.

Above is my pride and joy after a car hit the vehicle while it was parked in our drive way. The driver was going too quickly and left the roadway. It was after midnight. I think I was awakened by the sound of the impact. The person rang the door bell. By the time, I stumbled down the stairs and my dad came from his room, they were gone. Fortunately, the car was fixable and I continued driving it. Yes, the culprits were found. There was a witness who gave the police the necessary information.

I have had a 1977 blue Dodge Aspen, a sage 1985 Buick Century, a red 1992 Buick Regal and a 2000 silver Buick Regal.