Here’s a question for you. Can you remember the first vehicle that you drove? Or if you grew up on a farm, do you remember the first tractor that you drove?
For me, my first vehicle was a truck. A 1982 Datsun extended cab truck to be exact. Automatic on the floor, four cylinder asperated engine, the truck was silver with a black hood and roof. No air conditioning, just the heater that had to be worked on a couple of times. I don’t think Mom was thrilled that I picked a truck as my first ride. Guess that’s the “tomboy” in me. I never did care for driving a car. To this day, I prefer trucks over cars.
The first tractor that I drove was my grandpa’s Massey Ferguson 165. It’s the same tractor that sits in the shed today. It still amazes me that this tractor and I have come this far in life. How many people do you know can honestly say that he or she still has the family tractor?
I’m sure people can relate to the phrase, “I wish I had it back.” In a way, I do wish that I had that Datsun back. Datsun isn’t made anymore and I’m sure that if I could fix the few rust patches on it and give it a nice new paint job, it would turn a few heads at the local shows. Oh well. Hindsight is always 20/20. Life goes on.
I’ve always envied those who can afford to restore an antique car or truck. I would love to have one of my own someday. Perhaps something built between 1950 to 1970? Of course, the ones from the 1930s and 1940s are real eye catchers.
Someday is the key word. I hope my life doesn’t end before I get to that point. I’m in no hurry to leave this life. For now, I’ll have to be content with the memories of my first truck.
