My
endless love for wheels:
I was fourteen when I bought my first car. Get this – a 1939 Plymouth with a
flat-head Ford engine. That was in 1947. I had the cylinders bored out, the
heads milled down and a few other modifications. The motor was about the only
good thing on the car. The floor on the driver’s side was rusted out. You
could lift up the rubber floor mat and throw out the beer cans. I worked all
summer to pay for that old car, which was $90.00.
We
would go out on a lonely strip of black top and race. The bet was usually
$2.00 or a case of cheap beer. Most of the time we couldn’t pay off.
We
had four drive-ins in Wichita. The Bungalow, The Highlander, Kenny’s and
Winters. Just Like you see on the TV shows.
The
thrill is still there. Drag Racing at Ark City and maybe on a lonely stretch
of black top.
Between
pick-ups and cars I have owned 67 vehicles. My first show car was a 1949 Dodge
coupe. I bought a brand new 1957 Chevy 2-door hardtop with 47 miles on it and
the first thing I did was go to the drag strip and race it.
We
enjoy the friendships in the club and appreciate being allowed to bum around
with you younger guys and gals. It helps us fell young again and keeps our
memories alive. Ask your grandparents about “Yesteryears”. They will
remember and be glad to share, especially if they were interested in cars.
Now
we are enjoying our 1985 SS El Camino. Mary Anna says there is a convertible
in her horoscope in the future. DONATIONS APPRECIATED!
Thanks
for putting up with us.