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When I came home for Christmas break during my freshman year at college, it was clear that I had to do something about my Duster. The driver’s door was bashed in and did not open, the window leaked, and the cooling system was beginning to act up. My grandfather was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and could no longer drive. My grandmother hadn’t driven for years, but they still had their 1970 Buick LeSabre just sitting in the parking lot at their apartment building. My grandmother said I was welcome to it, since they had no use for it, and the big Buick became mine.
Despite it’s big size and the fact that it was incredibly uncool, it was a really good car. It had a 350 c.i. engine that was very reliable, and we could squeeze a lot of people and luggage into it. The summer after I got it, I had it painted bright red, so it didn’t look quite so lame.
The door handle on the driver’s side rusted out and fell off, so I had to keep a screwdriver handy to open the door (or reach inside if the window was open). This caused a problem on one occasion. I was driving in traffic when I ran out of gas. There was a gas station at the corner, about 1/4 mile ahead, so I hopped out and started pushing, steering the car through the driver’s side window. I didn’t notice that the road went slightly downhill to the gas station. Yep, you guessed it — the car started picking up speed and I had to run to catch up with it, while trying to reach in the window and open the door. Somehow I managed to do it, jump in and steer it into the gas station.
The big Buick served me well for the next 3 years. But I had a bit of trouble with it during one semester at school and I ended up driving another car briefly. That will be part 3 of our journey.
Jeff,
I’ve enjoyed the car posts. I think I may have to do one.
I had a big brown buick that looked much like that one. Best riding car we ever had. Bought it from David’s dad when we were desperate…..fun stuff!
I have never owned a Buick. I’m not dead yet, it could still happen.
Jeff,
I too have enjoyed this series.
It reminded me of a car I once had as a sophmore in high school. I love your blog. It is great. Keep up the great work. I hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend.
Great stuff, Jeff. Every teen needs a car that has all that steel wrapped around them. Sad that gas prices have made that difficult.
Wow, this is the first time I have been to your blog and what do I see but an old Buick Le Sabre! I had one in dull green while I was in college….we called it the “soul hog” and used to load up kids in it and take them to Bible Study on campus. You brought back memories and I have enjoyed reading your posts.
Awesome car.
You luck dog you.
It is my dream to get my oldest son Ethan a cool car like this one. Thanks for sharing with us these great, cool cars. Jeff, I hope you have a wonderful week!
Jeff -
You are as far behind in your blogging as I am in my commenting! And, I really like these two posts on your cars!
So, when can we expect Part 3?
Thanks for keeping up with me over at Finding Direction – and now on Facebook! I like doing BOTH very much, so am having a great time.
Hope the rest of your weekend is wonderful. It’s a beautiful day here in south Mississippi.
Dee
P. S. Tom wanted – and ate – leftover bean soup last night and six pieces of buttered, toasted cornbread that I browned for him in the toaster oven! I thought of you.
More, more, more…
I am a Cougar man myself. It was my father’s first car, my brother’s first car and my first car.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
Looking at that Buick brought back old memories. My father was a Buick man. We had 2 of them over the years of my childhood. A 1969 Electra 225 and a 1971 Buick Electra 225. Those were wonderful old cars. I miss them.