the beginning

I've been intrigued by cars since I can remember. My first car related memory is when I went with my father to trade his 1953 Pontiac for a new 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne. I was five years old at the time. I was more excited that he was about the purchase. He then went on to own a '62 Cutlass convertible with a 215 and a '66 Oldsmobile 88 with a 425. I got my license in that car. After that he owned a number of other cars, and pickups, but I paid less attention to his cars and more attention to mine. I developed with a VW affliction, starting with an oval window 57. I, of course, personalized all my vehicles. On the early VW's I would reverse the rear wheels, putting the hubcap clips on the back side so I could have the hubcaps. I would paint the hood indents flat black. I also removed the tailpipes for that deep and loud tone. I loved that '57 but the 36 horsepower got old quick. My next VW was a 1966. It had the 1300 cc, 50 HP engine. I adorned that one with EMPI equiment, shifter, wheels, scoops, etc. I also installed a Cyclone extractor exhaust and a 2 barrel Holley carb. I was clocked at 105 MPH in that one. After a rollover in that car, I decided I needed more power. I'll leave that for the next post.