Valet Auto-pilot

I learned to operate a manual trans in my dad's 1974 toyota celica in the parking lot of a k mart. This was when they were closed on Sundays. I continued to do this when he got a new 1982 datsun 310 hatchback, the car he hated most of all. I say I learned to operate because I didn't really learn to drive then. He made sure there was no possibility of traffic being around, and I sat in his lap (I was 9) and drove around the parking lot.
 
When I was a wee lad of but 14 or so, my sister had a beer party at the house. I wanted to steal my Mom's Escort, but there was an early-'80s Capri in the way. I asked the drunken fella to move the car, but he refused. I said, "Give me the keys, I'll move it myself!" He tossed me the keys and said, "If you can start it, you can have it."

From what I understand, he about shit a brick when he heard me roll-start it in reverse in the driveway. It was only a 2.3L 4-speed car, but I had all kinds of fun with it that night, and didn't come home until the needle was on E. I still see that guy now and again, and every single time I tell him, "You owe me a car."
 
Thank God for growing up operating heavy equipment and driving truck. More than once, being able to start and shift without a clutch has saved my backside. Although I have an 06 pickup, I regularly drive my 79. It's a nice reminder of how we once had to actually interact with our vehicle. Everyone needs that reminder, in my opinion.
 
restoman said:
We had the H.P. version. A whooping 1000cc engine!
That little car was a blast around town. There was NO BODY who could keep up going through corners in downtown Sydney. :)
My sister beat the shit out of it for four years before I got it in 1980 and I pounded on it for another year before selling it. Those were tough little cars!
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My last Mini was a 1967 Cooper S 1275cc. Wish I had kept all of them. Lots of good memories of those little buggers. 10' 1/4" in length and 1,100 pounds. Even the 850 had a power to weight ratio that made it a blast to drive. The Cooper S was just plain awesome. :giggedy:
 
are the coopers really 1100?..i thought they were heavier...they are still bigger than a lloyd tho lol..ill have to get one of the 2 stockers on a scale and verify the 1200lbs the books state

doc by the 8-s the capris had gotten ugly but hadnt lost the "fun" the early ones had the looks to go with the fun
 
Well, it was just a glorified Mustang at that point (better looking, I might add). I beat the ragged hell out of it anyhow. I don't think Bruce knew that I knew how to drive a manual transmission. I had a lot of fun tossing that car around. For a car that was only 4 or 5 years old at the time, it was a screaming pile of dung that was falling apart at the seams, even though it wasn't all that rusty.
 
Agreed on the manual stuff. The Barracuda is fun to drive but the power steering in it has always felt loose and funky, as well as a bit sketchy at speed. The Alfetta however, with manual steering is SO much more accurate! I feel the road and what the car wants to do SO much better! The Caravan power steering is nice and I have no complaints really but, I now prefer manual steering vehicles if given the choice. :)
 
He doesn't but, he does have a point with manual vs. power. Besides, if he wants to let me drive all his cool shit whenever I want, who am I to say no?! :D
 
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