how did you learn to drive stick and when

[Racerbvd]

At either 15 or 16, in a 1964 Chevy PU, 3 sp on the Tree, Granny low and a very strong Z28 engine in it
Looked like this, but not nearly as nice.

[asphaltgambler]

I grew up on a farm here in Va. EVERYTHING was manual stick/clutch. Learned at a very early age to drive and operate just about anything with wheels or tracks. Also could stick weld pretty good by 10

[McLovin]

My first car when I was 16 was a stick.

I knew the basics of clutches from riding dirt motorcycles, but had never really driven a stick shift car.

For whatever reason, my parents assumed I knew how to drive a stick, so they just sent me on my way. Just trial error the first day or so! At least there were no witnesses.

[teenerted1]

1982 @ 15 in dads 1977 vw bus. i still have it in my driveway.
i have never owned an AT in my life.

[Monza_dh]

Learned to ride dirt bikes first at 11 or 12 or so so that helped. Drove a stick 14 yrs old, me and my buddy taking the keys to his sisters Celica after midnight.

Still driving a stick after 30 yrs!

[911SauCy]

First, dirtbikes at 7.

First automobile: Dad's buddies 2wd Nissan truck at 14...remembering the vivid instruction.

"Ok Sean! Bring the RPM to about 4000, and let the clutch fly...that oughtta getcha goin."

Flawless plan

[81Kremer930]

In '94.... 1986 Mustang GT 5.0L. Looking back on it, this was probably a bad choice. Not a very balanced machine.

[LeeH]

First lesson was on my cousin's Honda Trail 70 when I was 12 or so. Second lesson was by dad having me shift gears from the passenger seat of his VW bug. Third lesson came when I got my first dirt bike. By the time I actually got to drive a stick (1970 VW Beetle), it just sort of made sense.

[2porscheguy]

I learned on my mom's old VW at age 15....nailed it in about 1/2 day!

I borrowed a friend of mine's dad's big Pontiac...I think it was a Firechief, to take my driver's test in....it had an automatic and power brakes. I wasn't used to the power brakes. I damn near launched the DMV guy through the windshield when I had to brake suddenly! I gave him heck for not wearing the seatbelt and I think he might have bruised his chin on the dashboard....he still gave me a pass on my test!

Alex

[911mnypt]

I was 16 and it was in my Dads Swedish Tank, 240d Volvo. Right after that it was in a friends 1981 911sc...that's where my sickness came from.

[Brian 162]

When I was 13 yrs. old in 1973 an old family friend hired me to work at his gas station. I would be there in the evenings. Lets just say I self taught myself thanks to the generosity of the customers cars that had to be moved around the lot.

[A930Rocket]

15 in a 74 super beetle.

[billybek]

14 years old.
64 Ford Galaxy 500. 3 on the tree, no synchro first gear.
73 one ton Ford welding truck.
A bunch of old VWs after that.

[Don Ro]

This has been a fun thread for me to read.
I feel a commonality, an affinity for y'all.
To learn to drive & to acquire a driver's license was a defining moment for us...it was The Big Deal at the time.
.
Thanks for sharing.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Also could stick weld pretty good by 10

I'm impressed.

[weseeeee]

I had been riding dirtbikes for many years so I already had an understanding of the clutch/gear change think worked. Then my buddy let me drive his Nova with a 3 speed on the tree and I was hooked. My son learned in my SC

[mikehinton]

I also rode dirt bikes starting at age 15. First stick in a car was a TR-3 that a neighbor let me putt around the neighborhood. Truly learned in a 1973 Capri V-6 when I was 17. We lived on a hill, so I had to learn fast... Only needed the e-brake for a week or so!

[70SATMan]

Learned to drive in a 73 Datsun 620 four speed. I was a GD terror in that little truck and it would haul more than a half ton should. Migrated to an 89 Dodge Custom 100 with three on the tree while still in HS.

After HS, I was on to Datsun 240 and 280Zs with five speeds. First "family car" was a 91 Maxima SE 5 speed which I just sold a year ago with 265k on the clock and still sportin the original clutch. I'm now commuting with a 2010 MCS 6 speed and of course I have my 70S.

The only autos in my life are a 67 Chrysler 300 that was my old man's (great date cruiser when I was 17/18), my wife's 89 Commanche pick up (with the 4.0) and our 2000 Cherokee.

I will have manuals till I go into the ground.

[GothingNC]

17 YO, my dad gave me a 78 VW rabbit and provided me with about 5 minutes of instruction when I lived in Long Island.

Worn shifter bushings and it sometimes popped out of 3rd gear.

After a few hours in a parking lot I got it down pat and took it for a drive onto the BQE, one of the scariest moments of my life, thoughts in my mind were: don't panic, don't over rev on a downshift and be careful of the taxicabs.

Looking back I have never needed to replace a clutch in my 28 year driving history.

Looking forward to teaching my daughter how to drive a stick shift, might need some meds first....

[Aragorn]

Seems like the most popular answers are:

- Tractor, then stick

- Motorcycle 1st, then stick

- VDub