Wednesday, May 30, 2007

My first car

Susie, over at Susie's Space, mentioned recently that her first car was a VW, and a few of her readers commented that they too started out with one of those adorable, reliable cars.

I was lucky to have found Gertrude, a bright yellow convertible, that reliably took us over many highways and backroads of California. Here are a couple of photos, early 1970s.

Sunny California day, top down, ready to go for a spin!


Car camping in the Sierra Nevadas.

16 comments:

Susie said...

Val! I'm so glad you posted this!!
Lucky you to have had a convertible.
I just love both photos!
Where did you camp?
xo

Annette said...

Now THAT is a VW! And if you remember, it was what John and I used to fake the sound of the bus engine in our play that the German class did for something or other at Mt. Diablo. The bus engine from a Greyhound bus was just too loud, but your little VW was perfect and had the right horn sound as well.

Annette

Merle said...

Hi Val ~~ Love your car and the photos and great answers to the meme.
I was surprised you had no mobile, as I thought I was the only one who didn't!! Thanks for your comments
Val. Glad you liked the elevator
joke and the reason parents drink.
Both good for a laugh.
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

John Cowart said...

My daughter, also a librarian, drives a VW now. Her's is blue.

lindsaylobe said...

I used to drive a little Hillman Minx, very reliable! 1 A friend of mine also had a VW, I remember they were also reliable and we went away there were never any mechanical problems. The Convertible looks stunning ---so you all went away in yellow VW!!

I have just purchased a car for my forthcoming retirement. I won’t take delivery until late June when I pick up a turbo diesel powered Peugeot touring fitted with a special carbon filter to trap the CO2. Its also very economical/ 4.9 litres per 100 km/ yet powerful with tons of internal room.

Best wishes

Peter said...

Hi Val, great first car, mine was a 1927 Nash tourer!!!!!

sonia a. mascaro said...

Love these photos, Val! You and Gertrude looks great!

Carole Burant said...

Well I must say Gertrude was truly lovely:-) Gosh, I remember back in the 1970's when they were all the rage...now you don't see VW on the road so much anymore, no wonder I get all excited when I DO see one! lol Great pictures...those were the good old days:-) xox

Cris said...

Val, you look so cute there. My sister used to have a VW when I was little (we're 14 years apart) and I was really crazy about riding with her, and I still remember, it was beige!

Rebecca said...

Now those photos take me back...my first car was actually a van....we tripped all over Canada in that thing.... BUT I learned to drive at age 13 in my mother's car, which was a white VW bug....she learned to drive at age 47 in the same car. "Here is to Herbie!"

Jellyhead said...

I love these photos! Makes me wish I had a photo of my first car (a beaten-up Ford Laser called Lucy)

Thanks for showing us you and Gertrude!

Anonymous said...

Those were the days I'm sure... I notice the photos, like memories, have faded and taken on that certain "bloom" that only time can give them ... I've not even had my FIRST car yet and I'm 35 (long story) ... found you via Merle's blog btw, she directed me to her Aussie blogger's links. Half my family's Australian and yet I hardly ever come across Aussies online! Have NO IDEA why ...
I'm at gledwood2.blogspot if you want to drop by you're most welcome. See you later maybe. All the best
from
Gledwood "vol 2" ...

Anonymous said...

Great pictures. I'm originally from California, not sure if I mention it.

Nabeel said...

love the photos here .. a picnic .. awesome .. and the old antique type effect is just soo nice and warm actually.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

I always wanted a Beetle ... great little cars. Wonderful photos, it looks like you had a heap of fun.
My first car was a Datsun 1600 ... a top little car, that was !!
Take care, Meow

Kerri said...

Oh cuter than cute Val! I love your little yellow bug, and you look so young beside it. You were, of course! :)
My bug was red and named Charlie :) It was very reliable too. They were a great little car. I like the new ones too, but they're very expensive for a small car.