I did a search and didn't find anything, but I expect this has been covered before but that's OK, we might get some new input!! What was the first car you ever drove on the road? I'll start.

It was the Spring of '62, I was 15 and my Dad was the Superintendent of Schools in our little Ozarks town (yeah, it kind of sucked). He got the job on the condition that he finished his Master's Degree in Education, so he had enrolled in classes for the two Summer sessions at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, about 50 miles south of us. He was looking for a car that might get better mileage than the '58 Ford, as he was going to commute five days a week, plus he didn't want to take the only car leaving Mom stranded. The local Chevy dealer had taken a car in on trade, a 1957 Hillman Minx. Now in 1962 there weren't many people interested in "economy cars", but it was surprisingly roomy for a little car, and my Dad at 6'4" fit in it, but it was a hoot to see him unfold and get out! Inline 4, with a 4 speed column shift manual tranny. For reverse you gripped the shifter knob, pulled out then down with the lever.
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He'd driven it to school, parked out front along the street, and all the guys were out at lunch break under a big shade tree, commenting about the "little car". One asked, "Have you driven it yet?" Not knowing that my Dad was walking up behind me I responded, "No, but it'll be easy. It's a 4 on the column." My Dad answered, "Well we'll have to let you give it a try if it's so easy. How about Saturday? Time for class, boys!"

Saturday morning he hollered up to me, "You ready to go for a drive?" We headed out, and he drove up MO 90, a tortuous ridge road with tight turns and drops before leveling out a bit. At the bottom of the hill he pulled over, we switched positions and he asked about the gas, brake, and clutch, then said, "See that ditch on the left? Don't go in it! See the ditch on the right? Don't go in it either! See that bridge up ahead? Don't hit it! Now, stay on your side of the road, let's go." We drove out towards Arkansas ten or fifteen miles, turned around and I drove home. When we pulled into the driveway my shirt was soaking wet with sweat! My first time behind the wheel.