Stranger than Friction: I only bought 1 used car from someone I didn't know...

MY RIDES...

Earlier today, because the person knew I had previously worked for Avis Rent a Car, I was asked for advice on buying a used car. This followed after first penning another. It's still on the assembly line...and due shortly in a showroom near you...

1965 VW Bus

Since my Dad never drove. I taught him after he retired. So, I had to buy my first ride. A fellow surfer and friend accompanied me to a VW dealer and I bought a 1965 VW Bus that I drove home with a friend and my learner’s permit. Another friend drove me to my road test that I passed with flying colors - 4-speed manual trans and all...

In 1973, I relocated to California. You can read about it here:

Dad rode shotgun and took lots of photos...Mom sat in back writing poetry...

Below, first cousins Bill and Margie sending us off. They are 2 of Uncle Bob and Aunt Midge's 3 children (see next ride). Oldest brother Bob rounds out the trio of Davis's. We stopped at their home on our way to Niagara Falls.

Mercury Cougar XR-7

Center cap emblem...besides memories...all that's left...

Bought this for Eileen from my Uncle Bob, after he retired from the NYS Troopers. There was also a mule involved - from Moscow. On the day, I bought it, I drove to his upstate home. He was handy with tools, having spent some time in the state police motor pool. He was giving it a last look over before passing the keys to me. We had removed the air cleaner housing top to check the movement of the choke blade. This is where the mule comes in. Seems, we had been drinking something called a “Moscow Mule.” When it came time for a test drive, I forgot that I had placed the top behind the left rear wheel. As I backed down his driveway, I heard “CRUNCH” as the tire left its footprint on the now partially flattened top…Thereafter, every time I did a tuneup...I remembered that day.

“Don’t drink and test drive…”

...Take the mule...and let's mind our OWN business...keep in our OWN lanes...

1965 Chevy Nova station wagon

Got it from John, a fellow mechanic who worked with me at the Avis fleet center’s main garage in Maspeth, Queens. It was my first "three on the tree"...

1970 VW Bug

Got this V Dub from Eileen’s brother Ken

2012 Toyota Prius

A "hand me up" from our son John when he got his new Tesla

My "free rides"

Part of my comp package - and much appreciated: Only had to "feed" them (petrol), someone else did all the maintenance! From the day (12/30/88) I went from fixing cars to World Headquarters on Old Country Road in Garden City, NY, I had a management vehicle until I retired. I’m still driving my last one: a 2010 Hyundai VeraCruz.