Grandma’s Stories

Apr 17th “Automatic”

Have you ever been told –     – that  —you need – –    “AUTOMATIC!”

Some time ago…    I wrote about my wanting to buy an “automobile” – – and that  – – “You should buy an “AUTOMATIC” vehicle!” – – is what the “Sales Person said, to.

Back in the 1950’s – – when I was in HIGH SCHOOL – in my  sophomore    year  – – I took “DRIVER’s Ed” –  and my instructor at “Beaumont High School” was “Miss Eliza Wolff”  and she was a wonderful teacher. We were learning to drive the new Chevrolet and the shifting was on the steering column.

When our class would be in the vehicle – – – doing the driving  – – we did the basic learning in the Calvary   Cemetery  off  Broadway in St.Louis – – the reason for learning there – – we were told – – “You can not kill anyone – – they are all dead, already!” – – There were  lots of turns to be made with  the   winding roads and lots of shifting to learn –  – – keeping the foot  off the clutch – so as not to wear it out!

A couple years later – – I decided to buy an automobile  – – so took a look at a couple of the “USED CAR LOTS” –  –  and of course they did not have the same type of vehicle that I had in school  – – – so had to try a “FORD” – –  and  that was a real disaster for me!  The “SALESMAN” and I were seated in one of the vehicles – –  that he thought that I would be able to drive – – –  WELL – –  it was like a “PUTT-PUTT CAR” – – I did not get that vehicle to move … more than five feet.  AND…   in looking  straight   ahead  …     I could tell …    by  the way he was  looking …  at me – –  he must  really think – –  that  –  –  I was a real “NUT” – – to even think  – – that I could drive.

When…  you have a “CERTIFICATE” that certifies that you are a good driver- –  I was determined to buy a vehicle – today! So I continued on  “WALKING”   to the  “NEW CAR”  SALES  area – –  where   only  “NEW CARS” were sold.

As I was walking on to this new car dealer’s lot – – a “SALE’s Man” came toward me and asking  – – “Are you interested in a vehicle?”  So.. I had to tell him of my experience with the vehicle and not getting it to move – that the shifting process – – well – – it just did not work for me and was not as I had when in school a couple of years back.

“WELL – What you need is an “AUTOMATIC” vehicle!”  So… I had to ask – – “How does that work?”  Here is where  something was not registering  – – at least not clearly – – since I have no “super” knowledge of  how cars differ – –  and what the “SALE’s MAN” emphasized – –  in “AUTOMATIC” – there is  no shifting  – – you do not have to shift for turns – – it is “AUTOMATIC!” “Let’s take a test drive!” So… I picked a red convertible …signed a contract – – put $40.00  cash down – – and we were all set to go!

Driving down “GRAND AVENUE” – – and all was just fine – – then the “SALE’s MAN”  – – said  – “Make a right turn at the next corner!”  – So… I leaned in somewhat toward the steering  wheel – – very softly said, “I’m making a right turn!” – – Well the car was going too fast – and I knew that the car could not be turned to the right – so passed that block – and as we were nearing the next block – leaned in and said – “I’m going to make a right turn!” AND – nothing was happening – – and without  a  shiftier  – how do you tell this vehicle  – – what you want it to do???

The “SALE’s MAN” – is  upset – – and says… “I thought you were going to make a right turn – – TURN HERE” – – so I turn – and the car is going too fast – – – –  a “TAXI CAB” is coming down that street – – and so  this    brand   “NEW VEHICLE’ hits  the “CAB” – –  –  the “SALE’s MAN”  grabs the steering wheel and almost breaks my foot – stomping on the break  – – – the vehicle jumps the curb – and there are three small children playing – – how the car stopped – –  short of killing them – – –  I’ll never know?

to..  be… continued….

Posted in Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged Mickey McLarenwith 2 comments.