My very first car was similar to this one. It was a 1951 chevrolet and I didn't actually have it long enough to have my picture taken with it. I know, a picture of me standing in front of the car would have been more interesting for Sepia Saturday. But as I said, this car didn't last long. More about that later.
I purchased the car in 1961 for the sole purpose of moving from the small town of Pomona, California to the big city of Los Angeles. I had an appointment with the phone company for an interview. So I bought the car for around $800.00. It was in very nice shape, no dings or dents or broken windows. But that would change soon. More about that later.
I was so excited about the interview and the prospects of a new job. What would it be - a phone operator, a secretary, or what?
I jumped in my car and headed for downtown Pomona to remove the remaining money from my bank. I was in the left lane waiting for the light to change so I could turn. Barreling down the street toward me was a giant gravel truck, kind of like this one.
The light turned yellow, and being new to driving, I thought, surely that big truck is going to stop for the yellow light. I waited a little longer, not sure if he would stop. Then someone behind me honked, so I thought I better go. I sure didn't want to upset that driver behind me. That was a big mistake. The truck had no intention of stopping. He just keep barrelling. Then, CRASH. I was flipped around a bit in the car and then landed on the floor on the passenger side of the car. My new chevy was totalled. I didn't make it to the interview. I never became a telephone operator. And now I have a mortal fear of making left turns. And also:
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| by-the-way, this isn't me. I found this photo when searching for gravel trucks. |
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Oh, what a sad story! Except that you are alive to tell the tale, so I guess it had a happy ending. But a sad way for such a lovely car to go. It's SOOOOOO cool!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh what a horrible thing to happen to your Chevrolet, but it could have been so much worse. I'm not good at turning left in the US either, but then I'm used to driving in the UK ;-) Jo
ReplyDeleteOuch, well I'm so glad that big car protected you from greater injury. You might not have done as well in the VW bug.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good thing you weren't in the VW when you were hit by the gravel truck. I am really amazed that someone made a t-shirt about gravel trucks.
ReplyDeleteOh dear what a dreadful thing to happen! I can understand your fears.
ReplyDeleteI would fear gravel trucks and left turns too! What a sad event for you. I hope your next job was far better than the telephone company!
ReplyDeleteA good post, wish I'd thought about my first Chevy, but I did not, another time. Well that was a close call for you and obviously that was not meant to be your career....
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible memory to be evoked for Sepia Saturday; I can understand how you have a phobia (and a hatred) now. I hope the person behind you who honked you stayed around to give you assistance. They probably scurried off guiltily.
ReplyDeleteAnd you survived. I hate left turns also. What a story.
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed by the size of the trucks I see in Michigan and the number of lakes which once were gravel pits.
ReplyDeleteGlad your Chevrolet helped you survive even if it was totalled.
Oh how sad, but you are here to tell the story! This is such a delight to travel through, nice touch for the theme...crazy old silly gravel trucks anyway!
ReplyDeleteA close call! Every car deserves a good story to commemorate the journeys through life.
ReplyDeleteBummer. Those cars are awesome.
ReplyDeleteWhat a disaster! Thank goodness you were all right.
ReplyDeleteI can hear the crunching metal and breaking glass. So fortunate you made it through that way before seatbelts, airbags, etc. Quite a story.
ReplyDeleteNow, who else misses those little side wing windows? The way you could adjust them so wind would come in just where you wanted it. So much nicer than the air vents all over the dashboard today.
What a sad story. And why don't we have gravel trucks over here? How can we function as a nation without them? It makes taking a left turn that little bit safer.
ReplyDeleteLOL! This is a great story. Though I am sad about your cool car, I am happy that you were not hurt. Too bad about your career with Ma Bell, but then things would have been different in the long run. I had to laugh at your t-shirt because part of our family business involves gravel trucks. I wonder what prompted them to design that shirt ... maybe a story similar to yours?
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me!
Kathy M.
Scary experience! As pedestrians here in Israel (Now in Jerusalem)...we feel lucky to make it across the street. Drivers are meshugganah. Richard had a 2 door Chevy coupe,same year. He's reading over my shoulder...he says he wrecked his by running into a date palm on Chandler Blvd. Fell asleep at the wheel..he was 17. I guess he learned something valuable??
ReplyDeletehonestly, don't blame the trucker, blame the one that hinked his horn to pressure you into making a hasty turn...
ReplyDeleteI'm just saying...
:)~
HUGZ
PS:
do you have a pic of you and your beetle?
Yes, i think i should blame the guy who honked, too. i wonder if he did stick around after the crash.
ReplyDeleteYes, i do have a picture with me and my beetle, but i'll have to dig it out. will send as soon as i find it, while i'm searching for a pic for this week's s.s.
Nancy
Oh dear,
ReplyDeleteI doubt very much he stuck around...
Human nature, you know...
I also found my stuff for next SS, and oddly enough, it'll be postcards!! I have so little of those but I think I can make it work...
somehow!!!
Don't forget your pic with your Beetle!! It gives continuity to the story.
:)~
HUGZ
Ouch! That Chevrolet Was A Handsome Dude!
ReplyDeleteLove the car. So sorry about the accident. Big trucks are so scary and are going much faster to most people think. Glad you are OK.
ReplyDelete