ahh,,,the ole stick shift,,,
In some ways with all improvements and automatic transmissions I think people have a hard time wondering why we drive a stick. I think it would really be hard for kids to comprehend because everything moves so fast paced.
My daddy did construction work and back in the early 60's he would carry my brother and I (I was such a tomboy) on the job site on Saturday's and we'd play and clean up in houses being built. Our jungle gyms were newly framed houses.
He drove a 57 panel Chevrolet ( 3 spd on the column with a foot starter) and carried all his tools and stuff in it and of course I started messing around driving it when I was about 11 or 12 on the jobsite and at the house in the driveway. My Grandpa would let me drive the his car (automatic) on Saturday's or Sundays around the farm they lived on we never told anyone
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
It was like our secret. Daddy never showed me anything about driving but I would sneak out and start it up and move it some, but mostly I'd watch him start it, drive it, and tune it up and anyone else when they were driving a truck, tractor or bulldozer. Who says kids don't watch and do things their parents do. My brother wasn't as interested as I was, but I was fascinated by it.
Later on by 13-14 I could crank that panel up drive it to the end of the driveway and turn it around and head for the road. I could hit all three gears ans be making about 35 before I had to slam on brakes before the highway. Of course daddy
![Eek! :eek: :eek:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
took notice of that and told me to slow that damn thing down cause I'm liable tear the end of the house out. He was right. He never let me drive on the road though that was his only rule.
Later on I drove that 57 panel when I had my learners permit. It was hoot and I loved that truck. It got gone to the boneyard sometime(I can't remember) as I started getting boy crazy,,, but that's another story.
My second car was a bronco, 3 spd on the column ( I wanted a 75 Z-28 but's that's another story,, ha). When I sold it 11 yrs later I had over 180,000 miles on it and all shifting that 3 spd. Wish I'd never sold it,,(who hasn't said that). Now about three weeks ago I got my 69 bronco back from restomod land. They did a bunch of work but one thing special was a 5 spd w/od and when I rolled into the driveway tonight the odometer read 649 miles,,,, looks like I'm on my way to another 100k.
It doesn't get any more interactive listening that motor wind up and easing into gear or winding it up tight and banging it hard,,,,,,, and that's just on the road,,, the fun really starts in the dirt.
I can honestly that was some good times,,,,and I still get that weird sorta smile on my face everytime I drive it.