parallel parking is a lost art.......

[toolmanmike]

A lost art along with backing a trailer for most folks.

Dad was a whizz at that. A tractor and a 4 wheel wagon is twice as hard as a pick up and a 2 wheel trailer. I have a small trailer I haul my riding mower around with. With a short tongue, it turns way shorter than the pick up will. That makes for a tough combination when backing and turning.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

In college there was some parallel parking along the street. I wished I had a video of a gal in her honda civic. She pulled in till she hit the car in front, then kept going...squealing the tires... then backed up hitting the car behind her... tires squealing even more...then pulled ahead a bit and went to class. She was pretty cute though. probably a cheerleader!
I wonder if she ever got better at it!

 

[Coelacanth]

Although check out this fool who parked behind me recently in a half empty carpark. They didn't hit my car and there was no damage but it was close.
View attachment 1862903

Hopefully your car is the blue Sube and not the car parked by the idiot who nosed way past his line in the parking spot, and clearly isn't a good driver, evidenced by the front end damage...

 

[Coelacanth]

I haven't driven my '70 Charger in decades, but I used to be great at parallel parking it. As soon as the front end of the parked car I needed to park in front of just about disappeared at the lower corner of my passenger rear quarter window, I had my reference point. The rest was a cinch.

 

[440 4 speed]

Inline 6. 3 on Floor. No PS.

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Back then it was about the same size as a compact. Very easy to park where Imperials, Lincoln’s and Caddie’s parked.

 

[kiwigtx]

change my mind

Just parking between the lines is a lost art in itself.

 

[WileE]

I guess it is. I just had to do it for the first time in years in Nashville to see my grandkids recital. Nailed first try.

You see ?? It's a talent you never lose

 

[WileE]

Many moons ago, I'm learning to parallel park in my uncle's Corvair. I back up into the spot, but bang into the car parked in back of me, as I'm angled into the space. I ask my uncle next to me, "what do I do now ?" He replies " just leave... quickly ! "

 

[68BabyBlue]

In 1969 I passed my Pa license exam in a ‘67 Valiant, first try. Examiner said we like to fail first timers to show them humility, but I sat in on your oral exam. “You studied the handbook?” When I answered, “yes,” he passed me. Ten years later, I was parallel parking bigger stuff.

 

[MarPar]

In 1969 I passed my Pa license exam in a ‘67 Valiant, first try. Examiner said we like to fail first timers to show them humility, but I sat in on your oral exam. “You studied the handbook?” When I answered, “yes,” he passed me. Ten years later, I was parallel parking bigger stuff.

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In today's world they'd get sued for showing them humility.

 

[roadrunnerh]

Isn't parallel parking required to pass the driver's exam - EVERYWHERE?
My old man taught me to drive and park his Buick LeSabre (RWD boat) when I was 15.
If the car can fit in the space, I can park it there.

 

[Slipping727]

Back in the day that's what the bumpers were for.
In the city people would bump the cars in front and behind until their car was in.

 

[kiwigtx]

In the city people would bump the cars in front and behind until their car was in.

In Paris they still do - it's accepted that you leave the parking brake off so other drivers can 'nudge' your car a smidge if they need some space.

Nobody gets their panties bunched up over that apparently.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I took my driving test in my dad's full size Country Squire wagon. Not being able to tell where the *** end of the wagon was and also not being able to see the front of the car behind me when parallel parking was pure guesswork. But I passed.

 

[Mackman]

In 1969 I passed my Pa license exam in a ‘67 Valiant, first try. Examiner said we like to fail first timers to show them humility, but I sat in on your oral exam. “You studied the handbook?” When I answered, “yes,” he passed me. Ten years later, I was parallel parking bigger stuff.

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Parallel parking the tractor and trailer was a skill I nailed on the CDL A test, thankfully.

 

[WileE]

But I passed.

What?... Gas ?... ON ??? Oh,no, my condolences... so, has it been your spirit all these years posting on this site ??

 

[WileE]

.. so, has it been your spirit all these years posting on this site ??

 

[David Womby]

It's an art so lost that I only do it when there is no traffic. Otherwise a car is bound to stop on your back bumper and sit there with a confused look on their face.

Yes, that happens to me a lot. Annoying.

I also must confess to enjoying watching some people's attempts at parallel parking!

David

 

[#41]

You have not lived until you parallel parked a 440 4 speed roadrunner with manual everything and fat tires all around on a steep hill.

 

[j-c-c-62]

change my mind

Last time I checked, nobody was ever hurt or killed parallel parking.
I'd rather see all new drivers take a 2? hour on track lesson driving go karts on a dirt track to develop real car control skills.
Followed by 2? hours riding shotgun in a semi rig to discover what a semi cannot do, and how risky other auto drivers are driving around, cutting off, riding in the blind spot, tailgating, etc an 80,000 lb Semi. A car crash can be survived. A semi crash often results in a late night knock on the door of your next of kin.

For starters, and the DL test required parallel parking exercise will quickly show how really lame it is.