Early Memories of Motor Vehicles: A Childhood Full of Adventure

My earliest memory of being in a car dates back to when I was just three years old. My family owned a rather old Buick that seemed brand new to me at the time. The rear window sloped down but didn't touch the top of the rear seat, creating a ledge or shelf between the top of the rear seat and the rear window. This unique space was wide enough for me to lie down on it. It was a cozy and comfortable spot that I remember fondly to this day.

However, the joy of this early memory came to an abrupt end when the car was sold. I had to wait until I turned five before I could have another vivid experience related to cars. This time, it was witnessing my father teaching my mother how to drive. The car they chose was a bright red "Rocket 88," a car that could really take off. They had a special setting on the shifter marked as "S," which they called "Super drive." My brother and I thought it was funny to tell my mother to put it in "super" and then step on the gas. Unfortunately, the car went faster than Mother could handle, causing panic as she pressed the pedal to the floor. We were thrown into the back of the seat and the car rocked toward a railing around the exhibition grounds, on the other side of which was a significant drop. Dad somehow managed to stop the car just 10 feet from the rail. After this incident, my mother never drove again.

Other Early Motor Vehicle Experiences

In the absence of a family car, we relied on motorcycles for transportation. My father even added a sidecar to an old war surplus bike he purchased. While convenient, we never needed a car as we could easily handle our motorcycle for all our needs. However, my grandfather had a car, and one memorable incident occurred when he tried to drop me off at school around the age of 9 or 10. The car was an A35 Austin with external door hinges. Just as I was saying goodbye to my mother, my grandfather abruptly pulled the door shut and started driving off, leaving my fingers wedged in the hinge. This incident was stressful for everyone, especially my mother, who screamed and I banged on the car to signal my grandfather to stop. Fortunately, I didn't need to be taken to the hospital; instead, I had to go to school as they had more serious cases to attend to. But from that day on, I became very cautious around external hinges on cars.

Lessons Learned from These Early Experiences

These early motor vehicle experiences taught me several valuable lessons. Firstly, it highlighted the importance of car safety and being cautious, especially when it comes to the unique designs of cars. My early memories of being in a car also showed me the unpredictable nature of driving, which can be both a source of joy and anxiety. These early encounters with cars are etched in my memory and serve as a reminder of the importance of safety and the joys and challenges of automotive experiences.