Post by yuska on May 18, 2009 10:24:04 GMT -6
Amid all the gloomy economic news there have been brief mentions of the cost-cutting steps General Motors is considering, including closing production forever on some brands. One article I read (can't find it now)said the decision has already been made. If true, it is very sad news. First Oldsmobile, now Pontiac. My family had a loyal servant in a certain Pontiac. In 1941 we were living in Alva, Oklahoma. At the very end of December Dad went to the dealership and bought the last car there. All the automakers were retooling to make tanks for the war effort.
At first we didn't use it much - gasoline and tires were rationed.As conditions eased we began some trips. When we moved back to Enid, our folks sometimes planned surprise Sunday visits to Tulsa to visit Dad's sister and her family. Mother would get the camping supplies ready the night before. At 3:00 a.m. we'd set out, landing on their doorstep about 6:30. Then we'd go to a beautiful Tulsa park graced with wonderfully tall trees. My mind's nose still remembers the aroma of the bacon frying in the crisp morning air.
One summer prior to his two weeks vacation, Dad had a trailer constructed. In it our folks packed camping equipment and we set off for Colorado. Climbing those steep mountain inclines pulling a heavy load must have been a strain on the straight-eight engine, but it got us there, if slowly. About every third night we'd stay at a motel to do laundry and shower, but otherwise the boys slept in the trailer; the folks and I bunked on the ground. Sleeping under the stars is definitely special.
WWII ended in 1945 but we kept Old Faithful for quite a while longer.
After I earned my driver's license in '47 I took on a hefty chunk of the
steering wheel time on our trips to Gallup N.M to visit Mother's sister, Mary
and her family. The travel each way took all of a very long day on the roads of that time.
Then there was the time we were heading into Ardmore on the Refinery Road. Just at the point that we were about to turn right where the road bends west, the left front wheel came entirely off and rolled straight ahead into a bar ditch. We hiked about a quarter-mile to the nearest house where thankfully the family had a phone. Mother called our uncle Harry Mayes - without doubt the best auto mechanic anywhere - at his shop. He sent a tow truck and came himelf to transport us on to town.
Don't remember just when we parted with Old Faithful or what vehicle replaced him. I do remember the Indian head hood ornament (honoring Pontiac, the Indian chief who led unsuccessful fighting against the British after the close of the French & Indian war). That resolute image guided us for many, many miles. We must have some pictures somewhere...........
Yuska
At first we didn't use it much - gasoline and tires were rationed.As conditions eased we began some trips. When we moved back to Enid, our folks sometimes planned surprise Sunday visits to Tulsa to visit Dad's sister and her family. Mother would get the camping supplies ready the night before. At 3:00 a.m. we'd set out, landing on their doorstep about 6:30. Then we'd go to a beautiful Tulsa park graced with wonderfully tall trees. My mind's nose still remembers the aroma of the bacon frying in the crisp morning air.
One summer prior to his two weeks vacation, Dad had a trailer constructed. In it our folks packed camping equipment and we set off for Colorado. Climbing those steep mountain inclines pulling a heavy load must have been a strain on the straight-eight engine, but it got us there, if slowly. About every third night we'd stay at a motel to do laundry and shower, but otherwise the boys slept in the trailer; the folks and I bunked on the ground. Sleeping under the stars is definitely special.
WWII ended in 1945 but we kept Old Faithful for quite a while longer.
After I earned my driver's license in '47 I took on a hefty chunk of the
steering wheel time on our trips to Gallup N.M to visit Mother's sister, Mary
and her family. The travel each way took all of a very long day on the roads of that time.
Then there was the time we were heading into Ardmore on the Refinery Road. Just at the point that we were about to turn right where the road bends west, the left front wheel came entirely off and rolled straight ahead into a bar ditch. We hiked about a quarter-mile to the nearest house where thankfully the family had a phone. Mother called our uncle Harry Mayes - without doubt the best auto mechanic anywhere - at his shop. He sent a tow truck and came himelf to transport us on to town.
Don't remember just when we parted with Old Faithful or what vehicle replaced him. I do remember the Indian head hood ornament (honoring Pontiac, the Indian chief who led unsuccessful fighting against the British after the close of the French & Indian war). That resolute image guided us for many, many miles. We must have some pictures somewhere...........
Yuska
) pontiacs that had the light in them.