Yes, it was 40 years ago that my Dad purchased his 1970 grabber, I remember it well. My Mother was a master negotiator, and I recall sitting in the showroom while she and Dad went and "duked it out" with the salesman. It finally got to the point that Dad went back out to the car (we came in) while Mom argued the salesman down enough times to beat his will, getting a better deal. Wow. Along those lines, my 50th birthday was yesterday , and today - well - I'm just wondering how it got here so fast!! I have a ten year old myself now, and he's just starting to understand the real madness of his own Dad taking interest in the old Fords. Back then they were the NEW cars, now they are the COOL cars. Waxing a bit nostalgic today, hoping for a better decade than the last. Sure glad you guys are out here, I enjoy the site often. Thanks for the bandwidth! Chris
Happy Birthday, Cool story about your folks. Part of my dad's job, when I was that age, was to buy vehicles for the service fleet where he worked. Car salemen used to take him out for lunch and try and stir up some business ... one day one sales guy showed up in a new 70 Boss 302, and off to lunch they went. My dad grinned about that for a solid week. Dad always had a lot of leverage when it came time to buy a new car for us. Just ticked over 50 myself 4 months ago and wondering how it happened so fast myself. As long as you don't fall into an "I'm old" mentality, the number doesn't matter too much. I'm playing out in a band, messin' with my Comet, and still doing pretty much everything that I have been for the last 20 years anyway.... the biggest difference is that I have a 5 year old grandson now ... (how'dathappen!?!) Happy Birthday ... and keep on keepin' on! :dancingpa
Happy Birthday, Very cool story....... Being 50 is not so bad, in fact I would like to be 50 again..lol.. But I'm almost 3 years to late......And your right the time seems to fly by now........
Very neat story! I remember my 50th birthday weekend all too well. Our newly formed statewide Cougar club was a featured club at Old Town in Kissimmee. On Wed before that weekend, I picked up my red '69 XR7 conv to try and put it back together for the cruise. On Fri, I got into an argument with my boss's father and quit my job. Sat, a hurricane blew through the area. I cancelled my hotel reservations, but went anyway to Old Town. Nasty weather all the way back home. We dropped off my lady friend at Tavares and headed home. In Leesburg, a cop followed me for 4 miles and finally stopped me for a minor traffic infraction. Called in another officer and they totally harrassed me past the anger point. If my 12 year old son had not been with me, I would have lost my cool and ended up in jail. Instead, it cost me $180 and traffic school. The next day, Sun, I turned 50. The day after that, Mon, I received all this literature from AARP, welcoming me into the kingdom of "Old Farts". I was depressed for 2 weeks. That was several years ago, and I still say "where did the time go". Good thread for us old farts. Happy 50th. Jim
I'd rather be 50 than 25. I'm 51, still have four daughters at home, and they keep me young. I may not pick up a pair of cylinder heads and carry them across the yard like I could when I was 25, but I can get 'em there with a wheel barrow - same job, smarter method. We have had the privilege of seeing all these cars people ooh and ahh over from the beginning. Remember seeing that first 64 1/2 Mustang? How 'bout the first time Ford put a 390 in '67 Mustang? We saw the first Camaro, Chevelle, Firebird, TransAm, Road Runner, 'Cuda, Shelby, and Cobra. We remember when cars were designed with style and no two looked the same. These aren't cars we see as historical and classical as the youngsters; we see them as part of our lives. We've grown with them and their significance has grown with us. The 25-year old can't say that.
LOVE your attitude about everything. Yup, we have lived in a unique time in history, and have experienced SO much the younger generation will never know. Thanks for sharing!! Chris
Jim: The Saturday BEFORE my birthday I got a letter from AARP. I can't wait to start enjoying the senior menus at Denny's. Chris
Happy Birthday Chris! If it makes you feel any better...I'll be 56 in 4 weeks!!! Your just a kid! I still do what I've been doing for 30 years,age is in the mind (the back to!) I still feel like a kid crawling over my rollcage to go for a ride in my Mav,and when I can't I'll cut the door bars out of it and put a hook on the cage to hang my walker on! I work in two Ford dealers from 72-75 and serviced these cars out when they were new....man does time go by,just glad I'm alive and healthy with a great wife and family, enjoy your time with you kid,it only lasts a short while...Jack
Happy Birthday Chris. The next time you and Gene meet at Furr give me a call. I'll be glad when this cold and nasty weather is gone so I work on my cars. Rick 214-673-8086
