The words "Dad's Garage" on a Sign
My dad operated a Wrecker Service & Garage by our house when I was a boy.

HELLO: CAR STUFF GEAR HEAD FANS!

I am a car stuff gear head from the 1960s and 70s. My dad was a diesel mechanic by trade. Many times, he had old cars around during my growing up years. And, when I was about 8 my dad had a small grocery store. It was located off the old Highway 41 in Northern Georgia. Beside this store was a garage where he worked on cars.

My dad was a car stuff guy who had a big heart. It was nothing unusual for him to repair vehicles for folks at no charge. At the store I referred to earlier, my dad also had a wrecker (towing) service. My mom ran the grocery store, so Dad could work the garage and wrecker service. It was a blessing to learn how to repair old cars without leaving home.

We Had Bonding Time

My dad and I had bonding time tinkering with old cars. We needed tools to work on cars, and he had plenty. I learned the different sizes of wrenches to use and how to set spark plugs. I was taught colors and makes of vehicles, etc. On occasion, he actually painted cars. He really didn’t have a good place for that kind of work, but he tried it anyway. It furthered my education about cars even more.

Dad would buy or trade for a vehicle and sometimes say that “this one” or “that one” could be mine which really pleased me. This happened even before I had a learner’s license. However, if he got ready to sell or trade that particular car or truck it didn’t matter if he told me it was mine. It would be gone (which was alright). I loved my dad.

My income years began.

A friend, and I started working by helping the janitor at the school we attended. This was before we had obtained driver or learner licenses. Then by my sophomore year, I was working part-time at a plant and attending school. Since income was coming in, I started buying my own vehicles. I definitely was a “car stuff guy” back then. Sometimes, my dad would loan me money to purchase a car. He expected me to pay him back, too. This arrangement helped instill in me to be a responsible person.

1966 Corvette - About
This photo of a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has “1967 Stinger” Hood. I had a 1966 model which is one of my favorite year models.

So many car titles have touched my hand over the years. And, most of them are still in my memory. Many of the titles in my possession today are considered clunkers or as some say: money pits. But to me, owning a Classic car is such a thrill.

My dad spent much time teaching me about cars while I lived at home. What not teach someone else about cars?

FORD”

Car Stuff Guy

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