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Friday 24 October 2014

My First Automobile

I was entering my first year at Northwest Bible College (now Vanguard) in Edmonton.  It was necessary for me to have transportation and as I was working (and would work through college), I had saved up money for a car.  My plan was to buy a used one but my Father thought that it might not be wise 'to buy somebody else's trouble' and suggested I purchase new.  I do not remember the exact price but the average price of a car at that time was $2750 and gasoline was .33 cents a gallon.  As it happened, I had a sizeable down payment and the balance could be financed for a monthly payment of $38.00.  Car insurance, will full coverage, cost $32 because I qualified for a non-drinking driver package offered at that time.

So it was that I purchased my first ever automobile in August of 1966 just as the models for the next year were being released.  It was a 1967 Rambler American 2 door hardtop in Britannia blue with an inline 6 cylinder engine for economy.  It comfortably seated five passengers, two in front and three in the rear.  A unique feature of the American motors line was reclining front seats that were touted as offering a more comfortable ride for the person in the front but woe to anyone trapped in the rear.

It was a proud moment for me to drive out from the American Motors car dealer's parking lot located on Jasper Avenue in Edmonton.  I remember cautiously taking side streets to get used to the car before venturing onto the main roads.  Then I drove to my brother's place in south Edmonton to show off my new toy.  To my chagrin, he was not at home.

I drove that car without incident during the years of college.  It came in handy since the students were sent out on assignments to churches throughout Alberta.  I sang in a male trio and was on assignment frequently.  After graduation, I worked the balance of 1968 and all of 1969 saving money to go on a missions trip.  On January 4, 1970, I left for eight months to St. Lucia, W.I.  My car was put up for sale with my Father finding  a purchaser for it.

The Nash Rambler was always the brunt of jokes because of it relatively small size compared to other cars of the day (the Cadillac was on of the biggest).  Here are the verses from the delightful Nash Rambler song recorded by The Playmates.  It was on the top 40 charts for twelve weeks, sold over a million copies, and was awarded a gold record disc.

 
While riding in my Cadillac
What to my surprise
A little Nash Rambler was following me
About one third my size
The guy must have wanted to pass me up,
As he kept on honking his horn (beep beep)
I'll show him that a Cadillac is not a car to scorn
 
Beep beep, beep beep,
His horn went beep, beep, beep!
 
I pushed my foot down to the floor to give the guy the shake,
But the little Nash Rambler stayed right behind, he still had on his brake,
He must have thought his car had more guts
As he kept on tooting his horn (beep, beep)
I'll show him that a Cadillac is not a car to scorn.
 
Beep beep, beep beep,
His horn went beep, beep, beep!
 
My car went into passing gear and we took off with gust,
And soon we were doing ninety, must have left him in the dust.
When I peeked in the mirror of my car, I couldn't believe my eyes,
The little Nash Rambler was right behind, you'd think that guy could fly
 
chorus
 
Now we're doing a hundred and ten, it certainly was a race
For a Rambler to pass a Caddy would be a big disgrace
The guy must have wanted to pass me out as he kept on tooting his horn (beep beep)
I'll show him that a Cadillac is not a car to scorn.
 
chorus
 
Now we're doing a hundred and twenty, as fast as I could go.
The Rambler pulled alongside of me as if we were going slow.
The fellow rolled down his window and yelled for me to hear,
"Hey, Buddy, How do I get this car out of second gear.
 
 
 
 
 
1967 Rambler American 200