Remember When?

What was your first car?

Here’s how some of our readers responded:
Remembering our first cars:
Before we were married in 1964, our parents graciously lent their cars to us to use. A 1952 Pontiac for me and a 1957 Chrysler for hubby. When we got married, we hit the big time by buying a 1956 Chevy, 4 door, blue & white for the amazing amount of $600.00! Well, it lasted 2 good years and over the 50 years we have been married, we have gotten a variety of many cars from corvette to van. – Connie (Texas)

My first car was a Rambler Classic 550. It was great. I didn’t appreciate it. I totaled it. More on that later.

I bought it with only 50,000 miles on it from an older couple (my age now) who literally only used it to go to church on Sunday and back. For some reason, they neglected to tell me that the seats could be reclined to make a bed. I drove it a year before someone told me this.

The car needed very little maintenance. I learned this the hard way by the cars I drove after my Rambler.

Years after I wrecked it, my sister introduced me to her new boyfriend. The conversation went to cars. I told him where I drove my beloved Rambler for the last time eight years earlier. “Wait,” he said, “Was it pulling out of (he named the road)?”

Because it was. Because he and his friend, in a nearby vehicle, saw me turning my head left, then right, then left, before making a left turn with nowhere near enough time to clear the oncoming car. Because they said “This dumb b***h is going to pull out and never forgot how dumb that b***h was. Because he ended up marrying my sister:

I’ve had to hear the story at every family gathering for the last 40 years! – Claudia (New Jersey)

Here’s how some of our readers responded:

I met my best friend Vicki in senior high. I had a slight heart murmur and was allowed to take the school elevator instead of the stairs. Vicki had a limp due to polio as a small child and had an elevator pass as well. We became friends for life while waiting for that elevator. Our relationship grew and Vicki was my maid of honor and godmother of my oldest son, Gary. We went through many of life’s moments together. Who would have thought an old elevator could have made such a difference in my life? – Darline Pirozzi – Palm Bay, Florida

My cousin Lillie was always a real firecracker. I was living in Florida and recall a visit I made to her in Manhattan when I was eight years old. Lillie was quite street wise while I was just an unworldly Florida girl. One day we were walking together on the streets of Manhattan and Lillie introduced me to foot-long hot dogs and chocolate malts. I was taught to NEVER waste food but became full while enjoying both of these. I asked Lillie to finish my shake so it wouldn’t be wasted. She said she would only if I bought her another hot dog to go along with it. I did, of course, spending the last of my money. Needless to say, Lillie never had a problem maneuvering her way around the city or the people there!
– Mary Ann – Tampa, Florida

Here’s how some of our online readers responded:

I worked in a beauty shop. I swept the floor, arranged the magazines and washed bobby pins. If I didn’t wash them correctly, I had to wash them over again. I was paid in cash and I put a deposit on a wooden table and chair set for my sister, Daisy. I paid this off weekly. – Jane Cecelski

I worked in a tomato plant that made ketchup. My uncle worked there and he brought me in. We got paid every two weeks and with my first check, I bought a belted green coat. This was to blend with my school uniform. Then they found out that I was only 15 and they let me go because I couldn’t work on a conveyor belt. – Marion Perry

Here’s how a resident of University Village responded:

The most memorable Valentine’s Day was when my husband of 6 months wrote in the dust of our Venetian blinds, “I love you.” I dusted more often after that. – Wanda Bowyer

Here’s how some residents of Weinberg Village responded:

As a child my father Rabbi Greenberg was always at the synagogue during the holidays. My fondest memories are being accepted by everyone I came in contact with. My father started the synagogue in Woodmont Connecticut and I was so proud that he was my father.- Mary Surasky

I remember the holidays at my parents home as being full of love, laughter and lots and lots of good food! – Sylvia Ruffkess

I remember all the adult women dressed in their best outfits. We would walk to the synagogue and then back home to see how many New Year cards had arrived. Sometimes during the services my brother and friends and myself would slip out to the drugstore called Schamands and get our fill of homemade candy. – Charles Kluglose

We kept a very strict holiday tradition. My sister and I always received beautiful new dresses, hats and new shoes. I remember my father beaming with pride and saying every man has one wife and I have three! – Fanny Schaecter