Remembering our car addiction memories.

My post on John Bono's poll (as always, thanks John) made me think it might be fun to discuss the big car moments that got us hooked.

At 3, I remember my first 1959 Cadillac. By then I could name every car on the road.

At 5, I got my 1/25th AMT 1961 Imperial (red, convertible) that I carried everywhere for several years, like Linus with his blanket.

In the fall of 1963, 8 year old me was terribly disappointed that the 1964 Imperial wasn't in the showroom. I was an Imperial boy since the 1961, and was very excited about the 1964. The salesman was kind and took us in the back. And there it was! Dark green four door, dusty and with paper over parts of it. Of course I'll never forget that day!

Which is like my first Ferrari, a silver 330 GTC, that I saw at 12. It came towards us on a back road in the Poconos. I first thought it was a Lotus, but when I realized what it was (it was already my dream car), I yelled out. My parents reprimanded me.

I remember the 1962 NYC Auto Show (vaguely). I remember clearly the 1972 Auto Show. Dad and I took the bus from Scranton. The Kirk White blue Cannonball winning Ferrari Daytona was parked outside (it was a difficult decision, but I left the GTC for the Daytona in my imagination}. Inside was the Modulo, the 512S, the (world premiere) 365 GTC/4, the Daytona, the Ghibli, and the Miura. Heaven!

Two visits to Watkins Glen. I saw Emerson Fittipaldi win the race for Jochen Rindt's posthumous championship (I wanted Ickx in the Ferrari to win, and he almost did). Second time the 312Ps won the 6 hour. Both times the parking lot was full of fantastic cars.

The time a Mangusta was at our local Mercury dealer (!) and they forgot to lock it, and Dad and I got in. And the Ferrari 275 GTS on the forecourt (!).

Much more recently, so many wonderful car museums and exhibits (Bellisima in Nashville, REVS in Naples among many). Look me up on Facebook and scroll for some of my photos.

I'd love to hear your stories of automotive love!