I drove a tractor in FFA when I was about 16. I didn't know how to drive a car (didn't start driving until I was 18) so the tractor was a fine adventure! I popped some SERIOUS wheelies before I got the hang of it!
My first car was a Plymouth Duster with a manual 4 speed. Got that car when I was 18. The shifter on that car was pretty worn out, picking the gears required PICKING with care and great kindness to the synchros. That was kind of a tough car to learn on. Real leggy gears, not alot of power from the slant six, and the worn shifter/transmission.
Funny thing is, that was the worst shifting car I've ever owned. Every other car was easy after that one. I hear alot of grousing about the 915 transmissions and how "challenging" they are to drive. I think they're a piece of cake compared to that old Duster. I guess that maybe the Duster was a good first car for that reason if none other.
angela