Memoir
/ˈmemˌwär/ noun. a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation. Usually memoirs. an account of one's personal life and experiences; autobiography. the published record of the proceedings of a group or organization, as of a learned society.
At this stage of life I realize it’s not the possessions of our youth that mean so much to us but the memories we attach to those physical objects. No single thing impacts a teenager as much as their first car. A car is a ticket to the many freedoms and responsibilities of adulthood. As we get older there’s a strong desire to recapture some of the excitement of youth but, as hard as we try, we can never relive those moments. The very best we can do is just be grateful that they happened in the first place.
Memoir Monday has grown so much that I won’t be able to comment on everyone’s posts anymore (and get my own work done) but I’ll still be supporting your posts with reblogs, votes, and shares on my other social media accounts (X, Facebook, etc.).
For all of those who’ve regularly participated in Memoir Monday - keep going, you’re making great progress in chronicling your very own life story for future generations to enjoy.
For those who missed the inaugural post explaining what the Memoir Monday initiative is all about you can find it here.
Now for next week’s Memoir Monday prompt:
What was your first car?
My answer:
The first car I ever paid for was a metallic brown (yes, that color actually had a moment in the 1970s) 1972 Chevy Caprice with a white vinyl top. I bought it from my aunt for $300 in 1986 when I was just 15 years old. I hesitate to call this behemoth my "first car" because the engine was in such bad shape that I only managed to drive it once—just a single loop around the block in which the entire exhaust system fell off. Shortly after, I traded it for something with a bit more potential: a 1968 Honda CB350 motorcycle.
The CB350 and I had a brief and rocky relationship as well. One day, while riding through an alley, I hit some gravel and was launched over the handlebars. Fortunately, I walked away with nothing more than some road rash and a bruised ego. After that incident, my interest in the Honda fizzled out pretty quickly and I sold it. After this I relied on my parent's 1978 Dodge Monaco when I needed to go anywhere.
Fast-forward to 1989, a couple of years later. By then, Hondas were becoming a big deal in Ohio, thanks to the Honda factory in Marysville. One afternoon, I wandered into a local dealership to check out their used inventory. Among the rows of cars, one in particular caught my eye—a five-speed 1986 Honda CRX HF. It was pristine, with low mileage and an immaculate interior. The fact that it was a two-seater gave it an irresistible charm, and compared to most cars of that era, it felt like a spaceship.
The price? Just a tad under $5,000—a small fortune for someone who was washing dishes at a diner. But I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. The next day, I returned to the dealership and somehow managed to get approved for a loan. (To this day, I have no idea how they gave a teenager with a dishwashing gig a car loan, but I wasn’t about to question it.)
The day I picked it up, my mom and brother came with me. It was surreal, like a dream come true. There was just one hitch: I didn’t know how to drive a stick shift. Still, I wasn’t about to let that minor detail get in the way. My brother, showing extraordinary bravery, rode shotgun on the way home. Miraculously, we made it home only stalling a couple of times.
Finally, I had my own car—a reliable one, at that. The CRX HF wasn’t exactly a powerhouse, boasting a less-than-impressive 58 horsepower, but what it lacked in speed, it made up for in handling. It was light, perfectly balanced, and handled like a Porsche 911 (running on half the cylinders). I could take curved highway cloverleaf ramps at 70 mph without so much as a squeal from the tires. And to top it off, it got an incredible 50 miles per gallon.
That little CRX became my partner in the adventures of young adulthood. I drove it everywhere—from road trips to Florida to countless jaunts around the Midwest. It stayed with me through the next four years of my life. Since then, I’ve owned better, faster, and more comfortable cars, but none of them hold the same place in my heart. The CRX wasn’t just my car; it was my freedom, my milestone-maker, and my ticket to unforgettable memories. It will always be my favorite.
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There was CRX with 160bhp in Europe and that car was my hot desire.
I can't even imagine how much fun that car would be with 3x the original HP! I had a '91 CRX Si with a little over 100bhp but it didn't seem to have as good of a weight distribution as the '86 I owned. It was still fun though.
I see that it is possible to build a stable relationship with a vehicle. I didn't manage it, but I enjoyed being a companion.
My entry
https://peakd.com/hive-106316/@charjaim/memoir-monday-39-a-family-car
How are you dear friend @ericvancewalton
What beautiful memories you have of each of the vehicles you had, and I appreciate that you have shared these experiences with us
Have a great day
Excellent.
The truth is that what has the highest quality will not always necessarily be the most loved by one, since there are several factors that influence that decision.
It happens like in love relationships because the most physically beautiful is not always the one that represents the most to you.
As for me, it hurts me not to be able to show photos of cars because I have never been able to have one and at this point in life I won't either because the prices of cars here have been a luxury for workers.
In any case, I will try to participate in the initiative. Happy week. Slaud and greetings.
Thank you! You're right, when it comes to possessions it's all about that emotional connection with the item(s). I think the days of having to own a car here in the US are coming to a close with the introduction of autonomous ride sharing vehicles like Tesla's CyberCab and Waymo. There are so many expenses associated with owning a car it'll be nice to be free from the burdens of ownership.
I like your first car. The color is very beautiful and the car looks very unique and reminds us of the 70s era. Have a nice day, Eric.
Thank you Eliana! I hope you have a wonderful week!
I get the idea that material possesions with an imbalanced energy can be a turn off as they don't last.
But this story symbolizes that it is our connection to them that will last forever. By magic, these artifacts draw us in and we give them a context in our lives.
This had me thinking of my similar history with used cars in high school.
Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome Ruben! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the chuckle about the Chevy, that was one expensive ride😅
The CRX looks snazzy even by today's standards, I can just imagine how excited you must have been! Nice memories Eric.
I have to think back a long way😉
It was SO big. The one time I took it around the block I felt like I was driving a cruise ship. Lol. The CRX does look "retro" now. A lot of car companies like Hyundai and Rivian are starting to designed cars again in this style.
Your first car color must not be popular, but I like it and wish mine was that color.
Yes, your first car is special.
There's some nostalgia for those old colors now. I like some of the colors they painted the cars in the 1950's.
yes, the blue/green is my favorite but now I like the brown
We're yet to have our first car in my family. But I have the kind of car I prefer
What kind of car would you like?
That's pretty funny. Oddly enough, my first car was only $300 as well. We bought it from my grandma and it was an Oldsmobile Omega. I drove that thing all over the place until I upgraded to a Chevrolet Cavalier that my uncle and I rebuilt. It was a pretty sweet ride. Especially after I installed the 10 disc changer in it!
What a coincidence! The Cavaliers were nice cars. I had a ex-girlfriend who owned one and we drove that thing all over New England and down the coast. You were ballin' if you had a 10 disc changer back then! I remember I put a Pioneer stereo with a removable face in the CRX and I thought that was hi-tech. Lol.
I did put a different head unit in my Oldsmobile, but my Cavalier had the factory stereo minus the changer in the trunk. I think I did replace the 6x9's in the back. I never had subs though my buddy did.
I had subs in my CRX for a short time (that could explain the ringing in my ears). Lol.
Lol!
That's a good anecdote about the Chevy. I laughed for a while. I also loved that color! I'm going to make a comment that would make me not very feminist, but I have the idea that in our cultures men get to have more variety of cars than women. I didn't need a car until after I started working, because while I was studying, my father drove me to and from college. I have had only one car and just like the one who has had only one child, my greatest fears, passions and craziness were housed in it. hahaha. It will be a pleasure to talk about my first and only car this Monday. Big hugs to you, Eric.
I could see those 70's colors coming back into style today! There were some weird colors by today's standards. I'm curious about the kind of car you had. Have a great weekend Nancy!
I love cars since my childhood, especially sports cars look very good. The topic is my favorite and interesting. I will definitely submit my entry after some days.
Me too. My father passed on his interest for cars to my brother and I.
This is a fun MM. The first car I paid for (before I used to drive my parents' car) was an Audi A3 Sportback 190 PS. Yeah, I like speed 😉 Being lightweight, it took off like a rocket. The not-so-fun part: the car used to swallow oil like crazy.
Thanks, I was going for fun this time! Oh, an Audi A3. We don't see many of those here in the US but they're beautiful cars.
The first car was great, although its engine was badly damaged. The Honda brand was very popular at one time, you also used Honda car and motorcycle. Your memories were beautiful.
#hive #posh