[GH85Carrera]

My parents saw cars as big expensive appliances that get parked outside.

I wanted to drive as soon as possible, and got my permit at 15 1/2 and license on the day I turned 16. Dad gave me an interest free loan to by a $600 1960 VW bug. ($4,000 today adjusted for inflation) and he made it clear, I was responsible for 100% of all costs for the car. He did pay for my insurance for two years
which was a nice help, and he provided a place to live, and "room and board" of course.

If I wanted to adjust the valves or change the oil, I had to do it, and he was not going to help, as he was working 50 and 60 hours weeks and an Air Force officer.

The Air Force Base had a Auto Hobby shop, so I could go there, and use their tools, and that helped a lot. One of my high school buddies had a dad that was a auto mechanic and he showed me how to change the oil and we replaced the badly leaking push rod seals.

My brother was a mechanic, but he was not at all interested in helping me after a day of working on customer cars. I would have had to pay my brother shop rates to work on my car, and I was too broke.

Growing up we played with small slot cars but never played with Hot Wheels, and never understood them.

I really don't know where my love of cars came from. I can remember the first time I saw a 911, likely about 1967 I fell in love. It was what I listed after. When dad was looking for a new appliance to park outside I begged him to go test drive a 911. He did and I was in heaven to sit inside one, in the back seat and and the salesman explained the car to dad. Dad bought a Oldsmobile Delta 88 instead of the 911. I do have to admit the Olds is a better family car with two boys.