CP

Hi Folks,

Many recent threads about more power and going fast.

Now for nostalgia, let's think back to some of the great clunkers we had. I bet you those were probably some of the best time we ever had driving too.

For starters, mine was a 1966 Ford Fairlane, baby pink with 6 cylinders. Unfortunately, only 4 were working. My first car, and bought used in 1970 for $200.

How slow was it? Suffice to say that I got pulled over, on my first date, by a Berkeley campus police, for going too SLOW and obstructing traffic. Made a great impression on my dream girl.

I believe I've never gotton it over 55 mph, even AFTER I overhauled the engine. Somehow, kind of like the RUF, everytime I think of my Fairlane, my heart warms and a smile comes onto my face.

Now bring on the memories and a smile for old time sake.

CP

poorb0yw

Slowest ever for me was my first car. 1982 Benz 300D. I'd litterally have to sit at intersections for 5-10 minutes hoping for a long enough break in cars for that silly turbo deisel to make it through safely.

Interesting memories. Car was a tank.

Crimson Nape Racing

my first and slowest car was a 67 Falcon, but all 6 of my cylinders worked. From there I got a 5.0 Mustang GT, and then on to Porsches.

Texas993

Hmmm, probably my mother-in-law's former Mercedes 240D. I swear that thing had a gerbil on a treadmill under the hood.

Terry Adams

A Citroen 2CV in 1965 from Grenoble to Paris. My present hauler, a 1982 300TD wagon with 245K miles on it, comes a close second.

nman413

Whatever crappy car Hertz sees fit to assign me for the week

DJF1

an Opel Astra Diesel... what a dog...

Anir

1985 Honda Civic. 59 hp. We called the A/C switch the "anti-turbo".

Adrienne

A 1965 Beetle, still owned by my dad. It's all original, too.

And as with all Beetles, it has a story, one that you mechanics, and Beetle drivers, can probably relate to....
My dad was in the VW repair business for well over 30 years (retired years ago), and the original owner always took it to my dad for service. When she was bed-ridden with illness, she asked for my dad to come to the hospital, where she requested he take her car for her. She loved that little car and my dad always took such good care of it, that she gave it to him before she past away.

Such a Beetle story, ain't it?

Anyway, now I get to drive it when it needs a little dusting. It's such a fun little car, in that Beetle sort of way. Every time I stop at a light or the store, somebody invariably engages me in conversation with their own Beetle story. That crusty little Beetle is a great conversation piece, let me tell you!!

Surfer2001

OMG my first was a 62 Falcon (Deluxe) i paid $140.00, installed the best 4 track tape player that could be found. kept it for 6 months, sold it 139.00 only for it to blow up two weeks after I sold it. Only problem, was i sold it to my best friend. OPPS

TamiyaGuy

A 4 door Dodge Shadow that we rented back in the early nineties. The thing was brand new but like all rental cars it had a base model engine. I'm guessing about 100bhp or so. There were 4 of us and we were trying to get a meeting.

I floored it trying to get onto the on-ramp and it was so slow that I hit the freeway at about 40mph only. Everyone in the car was screaming because they thought we'd be rear ended for sure.

There's really no feeling quite like WOT and nothing happens. It's just plain creepy.

deltawedge

A 1.3L Renault Clio in Italy. On level ground 85mph was about it; although it did get to 180 km/hr (108mph) down a long hill with a 40mph tailwind. Other than that, I'd have to second the MB 240D as a candidate.

LeeR

Renault Dauphine. 24 HP, 0 to 60 as recorded by Road and Track Magazine was 32 seconds.

Father of 3

Neon expresso. It was a rental. That thing was like a bucket of bolts. I swear I thought it was gonna fall apart and was slow as molasses.

CP

LOL with each and every post.

Just as I thought, the fast cars deliver all the thrills, and the slow ones deliver all the chills. But isn't that a hoot to think back re such indellible driving memories?

Thanks for the stories so far. Adrienne, your story almost brought a tear to my eye.

CP