Today, 51 years ago, I bought one of my cars, which is the one I've owned the longest, and still have. So many others have come and gone since. Does anyone else remember the exact date they bought a car they own ? Although I have a general idea of when I got my other cars I still have, this is the only one I know exactly. It's like other events I can vividly recall from many years ago, but don't ask me what I ate the day before yesterday ! Am I the only (strange) person who can recall such an event ?
I only remember well the early couple vehicles, and as time went on the date was less memorable, but details about getting them stuck with me.
I do recall the first car I bought and had my name on it. A used 1994 Mercury Cougar. Dec. 23 1998. From the local big time chevy dealer. I paid $5k for it. Totally loaded, including the moonroof, leather, and of course the V8. $5k was not much. They wanted this loaded mercury off the lot and away from their fancy new(and by then dated body style) caddy cars.
I had a friend that I would take for test drives when I was looking all that fall for "the right car".
The first one that caught my eye was an ad for a mid 90's Ranger. I know right, but- this was a 4 cyl 5 speed. If you know about Rangers you know the V6 was a dog and the 4 popper wasn;t great but with the 5 speed it moved out well enough because the trucks were so light. Anyway, this one the previous owner must have been in love with. Black paint, small black painted roll/light bar with no lights so nothing gawdy. Aluminum slots. Interior was red, but he had swapped out leather buckets from an exploder and installed a console too. Changed the interior lights to a muted red color, tinted the windows very slightly, installed (very well) an alpine stereo. Truck had low miles. Eye catcher. Fun to drive.
test drove the truck, Ozzy comes on the stereo blasting "Iron Man". At the time I did not know this would be relavent.
My buddy: " I dunno, this is cool, but.... there is only two seats and no back seats. What about chicks?"
True and wise words.
Next up 3 weeks later was this Cougar.
The car was 4 years old, owned by a local pilot who drove it 100 miles(one way) down to milwaukee and Chicago and back 3 times a week. Rolled miles on, and otherwise the car was like brand new. Loaded. V8= moved right out, but first gear (typical Ford lame wads) went 50mph so not exactly a stop light king lol. On the highway this thing was master of 40-100mph though. Classy and sporty.
Ozzy came on the radio blasting Iron Man.
My buddy and I both geeked out over this car, went back and told the sales guy I will take it.
2 years later I wanted a Bronco. Two for sale. One from a local bike lot(dabbled in trucks) and one from the local speed parts hop(dirt track supply place)
I got the typical Green and tan Bronco from the speed shop(turns out i dodged a bullet, bike shop guy went to jail shortly after)
I test drove both. ozzy came on the radio blasting Iron Man when I drove the green one.
Some years later I traded in both the Mercury and the Bronco to a young and very inexperianced salesman in madison for a 98 Expedition. he had decided he should promise me a trade value over the phone without any pictures, and then was upset about what my bronco looked like when I pulled in and parked next to the brand new King Ranch on the lot. I drove 2.5 hours with both vehicles to do this deal, his manager made him eat his commission on the difference.
As I left their lot in my shiny black Expedition, Ozzy came on the radio blasting Iron Man.
No, none of these instances of Black Sabbath had anything to do with recorded music. This was local radio stations. I am not sure the significance, but after the second time, I rule out coincidence lol.
Guess what song played on the way home after I took delivery of my then brand new '13 all black AWD Hemi Charger?
Welcome to the Jungle by Guns and Roses.
And then Iron Man.
