Name That Car

It’s as impressive now as it was then.

Having saved enough money at 17 from working after school and on weekends to buy a car, my first choice was a new Corvette. But I soon realized I couldn’t afford to pay cash for one.

Fortunately, I quickly fell in love with the Corvette’s little brother. I bought it new—black exterior with red interior and all the options I wanted. Being a cool dude, I even added some bolt-on accessories to give it a mild custom look.

I’m long past 17 now, but that same car is still in my garage. It’s all original, including paint and interior, and despite the custom touches I installed, it can be returned to stock condition as I kept the original parts.

This is the car my late wife, Pam, and I dated in and drove on our honeymoon. Our children, John, Dawn and Mike, came home from the hospital in it after they were born. It left an indelible impression on our lives.

When I was still in high school, about 14 months before I met

Pam, my car also left an impression on someone else. Dee had a new Thunderbird that was in the shop for repairs, and she asked me if I could give her a ride home from school.

I’m a car enthusiast, and I love to attend cruise nights. At one of these events, on Aug. 15, 2013, I recognized Dee and reminded her of the time half a century earlier when I’d given her a lift. She looked puzzled at first, and then a smile spread across her face as she remembered.

Dee was on her own, too, after the recent death of her husband. A short time after that car show, Dee and I began seeing each other. I’m delighted to say our relationship continues to this day.

Once again, my little car has served me well.