age 55, journalist, married, father of 1 daughter (who carps continuously about when will the convertible be running), also own Dakota pickup, 1990 Calais International.
First 'Vair was graduation present, college transportation, 27,000 miles, $1,000, leaky read window and mildewed interior. 2nd was meat market van (it was the 60s, you had to have a van or bus) with busted engine, put powertrain from 64 in it, twisted driveshaft on the Interstate in the middle of the night -- talked folks into loan for 1965, hit-and-run driver smucked fender, punched it out, used insurance money to buy Nikon F -- 65 engine went kerflooie, bought 66 for $100 bucks (with leaking/smoking engine), replaced o-rings, ball joints and tie rod ends, drove for several years, until shopper delivery route wrecked clutch (ever drive a standard shift from the right front seat?) got real for 15 years or so, until I paid too much at sheriff's auction for 64 ragtop -- 12 years later, and $1,000 or so, and it still sits in the garage -- but someday, it will be 1967 again ....