Everyone remembers their first car, what was yours?


This isn’t my car. It was in my street and I liked it.

My mum had a little red car that I used to slap my P-plates on and drive around as an eager 17 year old. Being the first of my friends to get our licences, I’d pick my mates up and take them to important places like McDonalds and the corner shop.

One afternoon I picked up my best friend Alison to go to the shop to get some chocolate. Super important business, of course. I was babysitting that night and I always liked to spoil the kids, so it was important. Somehow I ended up hitting the back of a car {that didn’t indicate they were turning} and we ended up in a big car accident. Right outside the fire station, mind you. It was on one of the busiest roads in our little town so everyone saw it. I slumped next to Mum’s destroyed car and sobbed. A boy from school drove past, pointed his finger out the window at me and laughed {loud enough for me to hear}. I cringed, and sobbed some more.

I called Mum and told her the bad news. She responded with, “What did you do that for?!”

The police came, we were taken to hospital. I was charged with negligent driving and the car was a write-off. Mind you, I still made it to babysitting that night. Alison and I sported matching whiplash bruises the next day at school.

Somehow, out of all of this, Mum and Dad decided to buy me my own car. Dad found it and bought it, and I saw it for the first time when my little brother and I went to pick it up. It was a beast. A little Ford Laser, custom painted and accessorized with a spoiler at the back and a moon roof at the top. The previous owner had cut the gear stick down to about 10cm long. It was a real a beast. It also cost as much as Lacey’s first pram. I find that quite funny.

One afternoon, with the car filled with my friends, we headed down our busy main street again to somewhere important {always important!}. We heard a funny noise and looked back, only to see the spoiler fly off the back of my car and into someone’s front yard. We didn’t stop. We let it go. It was such a beast that old thing.

Do you remember your first car? Tell me about it?

66 thoughts on “Everyone remembers their first car, what was yours?”

  1. I love how your first car was the same price of Lacey's Pram. I drove my mums car whilst I was in Year 12 (I was one of the last ones to get my license because i was one of the youngest) and then the next year I brought myself a brand new Barina, I love it and I dont think many people buy a new car for their first car.

  2. LOL! Love your car stories! My frist car was a blue Chevrolet Biscayne. It was the cheap Impala of the time. My dad had used it for work traveling so it was an “in the family used car”. I had just gotten married the year before and Frank had been given a car at his high school graduation by his parents. Probably as incentive to not marry me! It was a Chevy Malibu.

    I couldn't drive his Malibu, the gears would unhook for some reason when I shifted it, leaving me stranded in traffic until I popped the hood and put them back on the shifter thing. It hated me. So we bought my dad's car for the contents of my savings account, $600.

    Ehen Frank graduated from college and joined the Air Force we sold both cars and bought a Ford Pinto Wagon that lasted for the next 11 years.

    glen in Louisiana, USA

  4. love your story!! my first car was an old gemini, a lovely faded red number. my grandma loaned me $1500 to buy it! miss gem was so reliable – taking me daily to uni and back (over 150kms) as well as to my boyfriend's place (another 80km round trip).

    funniest first memory was at uni. for whatever crazy reason my uni had free beer on thursdays!! my friend over-indulged and lost his lunch while we were driving home one day…out the window…least to say it affected the paint and lightened the red in that spot even further…ewww. my younger brother inherited miss gem and probably has better stories than me!

  5. I think we had the same first car! Mine was a 74 Ford Laser that was green, with a custom sun roof and my Dad painted yellow roses on it. I wrote it off in a five car pile up in the rain. Wearing a white linen skirt that promptly went see through and the peak hour traffic all saw my undies. The cop tried to get my phone number too. It was awful. It also had a cassette player. Wicked.

  7. My first car was a bright yellow Gemini and my parents bought him for me when I was at Uni… I called him Bevan (bright yellow with black interior… go figure!)!

  9. Well my first car was bought in Australia when I was backpacking in 1995. It was an old Toyota Corolla from 1974. I paid 400 Dollars for it and sold it 3 months later for the same amount… (And I drove it from Sydney to Cairns) It was a lovely car and a lovely time.

  12. My first car was a chevy sprint… That car was a hot mess, mechanically speaking. The timing for the engine could be off a whole 180 and it would still start! I loved that car…

  13. My first car was a ford laser. A little red one. I loved that car soooo much. It was my freedom. It was so old and barely went over 60, but I loved it 😀

  14. My first car was a brutish and ugly maroon colour. Some kind of Nissan-branded pillar of female embarrassment – it was oversized, over-used and overly-masculine. My father “surprised” me with it after dragging me into a country car yard and labelled it the best bargain he had ever found. For years I parked far away from anywhere I needed to be and avoided all transporting of friends.
    I sold the beast for a fraction of what we paid and as I watched the new owner driver away, a sigh of relief leaving me as I thought I would never see it again, the exhaust pipe fell off and the engine chugged to a dramatic halt.
    We had to take it back and eventually hand-balled it to a wreckers for a meagre $100.

  15. I got my first car after college – I was about 21 or 22 (before that I did have my license, but didn't have money to get a car so I rode the bus mostly). Anyway, it was a very cute Dodge Neon and was a pretty light purple color. I bought it used, but soon found that it was a total junker. It seemed like something major broke on it every other week and soon I'd sunk thousands of dollars into it. Finally I ended up selling it a dealership as part of a trade on a new car. Since I still owed money for the purple one, they actually had to combine what I owed on that one to what I would owe for the new one. Lol. Such a nightmare! I still have my second car – a 2003 Kia Rio. Love that car! It was the cheapest on the lot, but brand new, and still very dependable! 🙂

  16. Our first car was a little PULSAR with four doors, it was so big, fit everything we needed, he had brought it with all his savings, we traveled with it all the way to Ulladulla which was the furthest it had ever been.
    It lasted us 2 years until one day some one smashed it.
    We cried & got $400 for it, because he knew who to talk to.

  17. My first car was an emerald green chevrolet spark (I think they call them matiz's in the UK). It was a surprise 21st birthday gift. I was NOT expecting to get one. I had a 21st brunch and was handed the keys to my baby, who I lovingly called Apple.

    Two months later I reversed her into a gate … it all went downhill from there!

    I am the world's worst driver …

    http://unpublishedworksofme.blogspot.com/

  18. My first car was a Valiant white station wagon (with no hand-break). The car was originally my parents who sold it to our next door neighbor, then bought it back for me 15 years later. Then when I finished with it and it died, it sat in our shed lonely with its stussey and triple RRR stickers fading and peeling on the back window…until the neighbors grandchildren took it to use as a paddock bomb. Recycling is so cool.

    My best friends fist car was exactly like that car in your photo only it was white.( and for ever breaking down.)

  20. A 1964 Ford Fairlane I got it in 1977. My boyfriend (now husband) I almost lost him a few times the passenger door would latch and then when I would go around the corner the door would open. We called it the Sherman Tank. My first new car I got in 1979 a Honda Civic that looked like a pregnant skateboard

  21. Oh, we do not own a car … my father drives us all on scooter … and I remember our first one … I see it being driven daily by the person who bought it from dad. Then we got another and another.
    Warmest regards,
    Ruby

  24. Mine was a 1972 VW Beetle… Sheldon was a great car. And yes, I know cars are supposed to be girls but he was named by my best friend in college. The name came from When Harry Met Sally… if you know the flick, you know exactly where my bug got his name. 🙂
    Loved that car… and always had that chirpy Bug sound. (sigh) I miss him terribly.

  25. 1964 Ford Mustang.
    Turquoise.
    I bought it from the original owner.
    It was so fun.
    But it also kept having things break–it was old.
    I'd call my dad crying often.
    When I got married, my dad told Aaron that he was glad the car would no longer be his responsibility, but my husband's.
    After the brakes went out on me while driving for the 2nd time, I decided to let it go.
    I was sad.
    And I still miss it.
    But my husband just bought his dream car–a 1963 Ford Falcon Station wagon.
    It's white, but the interior is turquiose and the steering wheel reminds me of my old Mustang.
    It feels good.
    What a fun post–great story and good laugh.
    And it brought back fond memories.
    Thanks!
    Love from,
    Greta

  26. I had 1985 holden camera, blue with a go fast red stripe down the side, decked out in tweety bird seat covers and fluffy dice on the rear view! My parents bought it when it was about 5 years old, it then got passed down to my big brother, and then finally to me 15 years later. Was really cool keeping it in the family, they don't make them now like they use to.

  28. My first car was also a Ford Laser. It was totalled when someone who had parked their super fancy (and no doubt expensive) convertible on the side of the street opened their car door – directly into my lane. BANG!

  30. Hi Chantelle, It's been a while since I popped into your lovely blog, life has been a stressful, hectic mess & yet so magical at all the one time!! But, I just spent some time quickly perusing some of your recent posts….and as always….LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY!
    Haaa…funny story about your car. First time I LOL'd today 🙂
    My first car was a 1988 Toyota Corolla…and it was a bomb…but I thought it was the BOMB! 🙂 I even had a daggy {bogan} sticker made for the back that said “THE ROLLA”. I got pulled up & fined for rusty number plates & cracked tail lights and nearly completely rode it off on the way to selling it after having it for 4 years 🙂 Very near disaster:) Loved that bomb!
    x

  31. Hey Chantelle,

    I found your blog by my friend's blog and I LOVE it!
    Your “Photo a Day Challenge” is awesome!
    And I'd like to join if you don't mind! 🙂
    I'll post the photos on my flickR and blog, so I can leave the link for you later.
    I'll be visiting you more 🙂

    XoxO

  32. mine was a cream/beige mitsubishi sigma wagon. i was so disappointed that i got it as my first car. i pretended to be excited, but i secretly hated it. i was glad to sell it when i did! i'm so ungrateful aren't i!! our eldest daughter is 12, and we are in the process of doing up a car for her. she's going to be so much cooler than me. it's an original Mini Leyland. it's being painted as we speak. the colour is a surprise for her…so better not put it here just incase she somehow finds her way here 😉 i'll instagram it when it's done!!

    also wanted to mention that i am so angry for you at all the other march photo a day challenges! the least they could do is do a different hash tag!! those buggers.

    love your work x

  33. My first car was a black and cream VW Beetle. Loved that car. I went so many places and had so much fun. Although the fuel gage didn't work properly and I ran out fuel a few times!! And my mum crashed it and smashed in one of the headlamps!!!

  34. Oh Chantelle, you naughty little driver, you! haha.
    my first car can only be described as a shitbox, or a lemon if you prefer not to swear haha.
    it fell apart after 2 months.
    probably should have got a mechanic to check it out before my parents bought it for me oops :/

  35. I've still got my first car [I was a little late getting my licence, only got my L's 18 months ago!]. I bought the car for myself to make me get my L's. It's a silver 2001 Hyundai Elantra with paint missing off the front and back bumper. His name is Edgar but I usually refer to him as Steady Eddie, because he's not flash but he sure is reliable!

  36. My first car was a kermit green 1974 Holden Gemini panelvan! I loved that car! I sold it after a few years and then I went without a car for 8 years! I think I felt more freedom without a car than with one…

  38. I loved my first car. It had been my grandmothers and when she passed away it was passed down to my sister, and after that to me. It was a 1986 Honda Civic, so I also had a car that was 'born'in the same year as I was. Just 4 months before me. Unfortunately it died after a while. And I got my other grandmothers car, which I got into an accident with 4 days after I got it. I was really sad, not that I didn't have a car anymore, but that I wrecked something that was hers.

    Haven't had a car since then (2007) and can't wait to buy one, once I moved to Canada. Which would be at the end of this month. Exciting times!

  41. My first car was a fading red VW Golf, circa 1992. (F reg in UK). I bought it from a little garage and the guy looked well dodgy. Had it for about 2 years. Love VW's. Traded up to a Honda Civic which i wrote off in an accident. boo. Now drive a Ford, not ideal but lusting after an Audi A3.

  42. My first car, or should I say truck, was a 1993 turquoise/green Ford Ranger that I got when I turned 16 in 2006. I was also the first of my friends to have a license and also the oldest kid in the family so lets just say between going to football games and chauffeuring my brother and cousins around in a 2 seater with a half extended cab, the back seats folded down from the sides, we really filled that little truck up. It lasted me a year and half til I hit a deer and the insurance co. totaled it out!

  43. My first car was a Ford Fiesta 1.6 and a beast at heart! I got it before my license and did drive it when i shouldn't have! However when i got my license that little speed demon went like the clappers! Bright white with a boy racer body kit and wheels to die for!

  45. i managed to make until the age of 38 without knowing how to drive. but once i did, there was no stopping me. i am still driving my first car, a 2004 chili red mini cooper that i named miss scarlet.

  47. Ahh, the memories Chantelle. Remember the night time newspaper run??? Was it your or Al's car that used to backfire?
    Jay

    • Only just read this. Love it! That 5th gear was crazy. Remember driving down the highway and you had left your school folder on the roof of your car and when we went back there were all your school notes down the highway, in the duck park and across the paddock on the other side??

      Great post. 🙂

  48. My first car was a 1990 Pontiac Grand Am. It was blue with silver molding around the sides. My parents gave me a choice when I graduated high school: I could have a graduation party or they'd buy me a car. I went with the car. I LOVED that car! I would honestly probably still be driving it if the transmission didn't die. My dad rebuilt the tranny and I sold it for $600. I've seen it around town a few times and I know it's my old car because of the odd coloring and the “PSU Soccer” sticker on the back window that the new owner never removed. I miss her and I hope she's still alive and well.

  49. Love that your car cost as much as Lacey's pram! My parents bought me a turqouise Mazda 121 when I was in highschool. It was in mint condition for a used car and I was in love. It was tiny to park and had power steering. I LOVED to drive that car and kept it till I got my first job, broke up with my boyfriend (now husband) and had went into such retail therapy I bought my first brand new car, a manual and I couldn't even drive a manual. What a girl does when she has a broken heart.

  51. Amazingly (seeing as you have a photo of one in this post), my first car was a 1959 Volkswagen beetle that had been in my family since it was new. Sold it in 2006 when I got my Smart car.

  52. mine too a 1967 VW same age as me, in mint condition so much so that i was often stopped, well the car was often stopped and admired lol. My dad had a brand new minty green VW when they first came out new we did 13 trips to Mackay NQ with 3 kids and mum and dad. I still love them to this day an would love one but i drive a safe 'boring' mitsubishi lancer although i love its reversing camera lol. My little girls love it when i see one and they join me in chorus saying “Oh a beetle bomb”….

  53. Mine was a Peugot 205, cost me 300 euros 🙂
    Wish they were all that cheap!!

    Second car was a WV Golf, parked it against a tree,
    sadly he died 🙁 loved that car!

    Now i'm driving a Renault Clio, with golden wheelcaps 🙂
    Never had many trouble with it, till last year!
    Had to take him to the garage this afternoon, he broke down, costs me another 200 euros!

  54. What a great story!!

    My first car was an orange Honda Civic – I drove it for so long on my L's without anyone next to me….so bad 🙁

    But it was the only way I could get around to places as I was 17 (almost 18) when I brought it and I was working so I had to drive. Also drove it to the shops…chocolate was really (and still is) important back then!
    I drove it till it died then upgraded to another car 🙂

  55. My first car was a brown 1986 Ford Escort. What I remember most about it is the 8 track player, the dashboard light that came on when it was time to shift gears, and the dark stripes on both sides of the car along the bottom that said ESCORT. It was kind of cool that I had an 8 track player, but because it was during the time of tape cassettes, I had nothing to listen to but the radio.

    Although I liked the car, I was glad when I sold it in order to put the money toward the purchase of a new truck.

  56. A Mini Clubman estate in lime green …. I could get loads of people in the back – wouldn't get away with it nowadays! a friend of mine is from Australia and she told me about P plates – fab idea, we don't have them in the UK … You just pass your test and you're off – no ones any the wiser that you could be a hazard! I still am after 20 years driving!! Jules x

  59. I have very fond memories of my first car! It was a faded red Honda Civic (1980 something) that I named El Busso (that was a collective name my bestie and I made up after watching the movie “The Mexican” with Brad Pitt (I think).
    My husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) stripped it and repainted the roof and bonnet for me and I have this fabulous photo of it completely wrapped in newspaper in the driveway of his parents house. I loved it because it had so much room in the back when the seats were folded down. I had picnics and everything in that car. Unfortunately it was old and I wanted to sell it but my dad insisted I should re-register it and insure it only to have it die in the middle of Galston Gorge a month later (the timing chain went which cause the pistons to keep going and they bent the valves – or something like that). I wasn't even there when it happened. My husband (boyfriend) and I had swapped cars that day. There were many fun adventures had in that car. It also had a lot of little quirks that gave it a bit of personality. I still have one of the number plates as a momento of my little El Busso.

  60. Great story
    A Classic beautiful bright blue Datsun 200B for me we call the ” Blue Beast” and the stories it could have told. Thanks goodness it couldn't speak! I still hold that car dearly in my heart. The window winders that were stored in the centre console, the radio that started working again when you went over speed bumps and the most awesome boot release that anyone would still be jealous of
    Those were the days! Great post xx

  61. Mine was a white 92 Toyota camry. I paid 800 dollarsfor it. It was a beast! I got a good 3 years out of it without ever servicing it once. Then a lady ran intothe side of it and wrote it off. Now I own a 2003 camry.

  62. My first car was a 1994 Red Mercury Sable, that my friends and I called Rosie. It was my grandmother's car, that she gave to me for Christmas. I was 16 and one of the last of my friends to get a car. I drove that car for almost 9 years. Finally when the A/C went out and doors started jamming my dad decided it wasn't safe to drive it out of state. So in May of last year we donated Rosie and I got a new car, a black Mazda CX-7 Sport, named Stella.

  63. Nice post! My first car was a Suzuki Sierra soft top. Oh I miss those beach days with my friends, driving around with the top down on beautiful Summer days. Good times!

  64. Subaru Liberty '92. I was so used to driving it over the five or so years I had it, that now I think my new '07 model has flat tyres all the time – it just feels so different to drive!

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