Growing up in the Sixties, we were all about cars: muscle cars, surf wagons, VW, low riders and dune buggies. That's what I remember. Those who had the mechanical ability from taking shop or learning from their dad's, bought & fixed up whatever they could afford and that made for some pretty spectacular restorations.
My husband had a '64 GTO. Several of my close friends had Chevy Impalas low to the ground w/ hydraulics, one guy had an old rounded Chevy with bright red metal flake paint and the coolest tuck & roll you ever saw. Those who saved their own money to buy a car bought a VW. As I recall you could buy a new Bug for about $1200.
One high school boyfriend of mine had a dune buggy which was a blast! We'd take it down to the beach, north of Trancas, on PCH and ride up and down big dunes. The surfers had VW vans or station wagons. The lucky ones found old Woodies and fixed them up. The woodies were becoming scarce by the late Sixties. They were already collectible and it became quite a sight to see one. VW camper vans loaded with surfboards and teenagers are what I remember best. By the early '70s they were the preferred mode of travel for anyone who surfedor skiied.
13 comments:
One of my first cars was a VW bug that I paid $150 for it. I don't remember the year but the color was blue with flower decals on it. A stick shift on the floor. I really don't have good memories of that car. It was a real pain to drive and I ended up having an accident on icey roads and flipped it. Didn't get hurt too much. I do remember most of the cars you talk about except for the dune buggies.
I stay away from the 405. It's like a demilitarized zone, at times. Most times!
Great post! I had a VW Bug, but always liked the guys with the Corvettes. (still do) :) Have a sunny week, cher!
Wow, you were actually there! California, surfing, LA - all that stuff was in the movies, on the radio waves and in our imaginations for us Canadian kids who had our own version but secretly envied yours. The closest I could get to a Californian experience was Vancouver, but it was pretty cool even so.
My boyfriend (1971) had a souped-up Plymouth Valiant that he christened Black Sabbath and took to the race track every weekend, where I was his crew. Got my chance to race the 1/4 mile just once but never forgot it. This was a very fun post to read! (PS Are you a 'Deb' too?)
That station wagon looks almost like a new one. Very nice.
How cool to be able to cruise in 60's LA! I had to make do with Frische's Big Boy and riding up and down Third Street. It was fun anyway. And one of my favorite movies is "American Graffiti"...have to watch it every summer.
Wonderful memories. I had several bugs. All old, of course. But well loved. Mostly I remember being on the side of the road with the engine hood up in the VW vans. It didn't stop our desire for one, however. We just prayed we get to where we were going. Tools always hauled along, just in case. Ha!
Hey Gang: most of you recall having a VW. They were certainly the most affordable car. I never had a car til my Jr yr in college when my father decided to give me his '68 Mustang to drive so he could buy a new car. He let me keep it and I loved it more than I can say. I outta blog about that car. What a beauty she was. Had her til 1982. ahhhhh.
I had a 'burnt' orange beetle, loved that car and it held it's value for well over 3 years. I sold it to pay for an overseas holiday! And man did I get into some trouble in my boyfriend's combie! Those were the days!
My father had a VW. I remember driving in it when I was very little. I always wished I have a VW bus and drive through Europe for example. I like the collection of cars in your post.
Thanks for your recommendation of "Art Spark Theatre".
Man, what a post! You had the life of dreams - a California girl, and all those mythological cars from the movies. VW vans were sexy. VWs were just awesome. We had a Woody in Michigan for our family, I barely remember it.
I also have memories driving the LA freeways, yikes. We lived in Pasadena 5 years. Once I was in the middle of major fast traffic and didn't know which exit to get off, so of course in a panic I stopped right in the pavement between the freeway and the exit ramp. Yeah, it took a while to be able to merge with traffic again. :|
(Oh, and I use picnik.com to create collages, and then frame them with their very nice options. If you've never been there, it's great. Free, very useful, tons of cool things to process pics. Cole might even get a kick out of it.
it's nice if i can drive a cool car
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