[Bob Kontak]

1974 I bought a 69 Opel GT while in high school. Downdraft Solex I think. Found one of the four mounting bolts were missing because the corner of the intake manifold carb base was broken off. Idle was higher than it should have been.

Pulled the intake manifold off at a snails pace. Scared to death. Drove it down to the Buick dealer in Franklin, PA and met the Opel mechanic. He went to a pile out back of Opel engine parts and pulled out a manifold and said $20. I said here you go and he said, "No, pay in there". Paid at the cash register and told the lady how much the part was.

Installed it and it idled normal. I was Batman.

Mentioning it because it was the first real repair I performed and it had a huge impact on how I viewed cars for the rest of my life. Meaning they are not necessarily a can of worms.