June 17: How do I love thee?

How do I love thee?

Everyone has had a favorite car. Maybe it's the one you are driving right now, but probably it's some blast from your past, long before you had kids or other responsibilities. I know which one my bro would select.

So what is it? Looks? Power? Reliability? Which feature made that favorite so special?

Before, I run thru my list of favorites (what car guy can have just one?), I'll tell you my worst car. A very nice compact Buick, the Skylark. One of the "fabled" GM X cars. Great idea, but taken out of the oven way to early. To sum up........JUNK in every possible way. It caught fire. It rusted. It broke. A litany of bad news.

But I've had favorites. Actually every car I've ever had was a favorite for some reason or another, well, maybe not my little X car.

A walk down memory lane.......

Who doesn't look fondly back at their first car? Mine was a '61 Chevy convertible courtesy of my big brother, as he was taking delivery of what I know will be his favorite. A perfect storm.......a young guy and a convertible.

I loved the look of my first new car. Still do. Ordered it the day I graduated from university. Gold, black half vinyl roof (like in the pic), Magnum 500 wheels and buckets seats, my 1971 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus (whew, what a mouth full) was a beauty.

 After about 18 months, I set my sights higher, as I fell head over heals for this luxury lady, who took my car love and wrapped it around her steering wheel.......

Looking back, I'd have to say that this is my favorite of all my cars. Again, the look with those great rims, the power and all the toys. I moved to Toronto shortly after taking delivery. A Big Shooter from the east coast. Toronto watch out!

This was followed by a Cadillac (yawn) and then a Corvette, which was nothing exciting back in those days of low/no power, all show and no go. I'd love to have the Sebring or the Grand Prix back again, but not these two.

Moving right along brings us to 1984 and a Camaro, but it was the 1987 IROC-Z in arrest-me-red that really turned my crank........

Followed by a couple of not too exciting rides, until 1995 and another Camaro, this time a Z-28. Fast and beautiful in silver with a black top

Loud and proud. This car could smoke the tires half way down the block and let all the neighbours know that Barry was home. Or maybe it was Barbara, since she could make this car talk with her excellent speed shifting.

Surprisingly, my next ride is also near the top of the list of great rides........

 A 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (remember that brand?). Great looking and for its time a lot of supercharged horsepower. Back then this model was a rock star, that turned heads. The '97's sold out early, so even though mine was a '98, there still weren't tons around.

Another couple of GP's, then I got a Hemi powered pimpmobile (what else would you call a black 300C with deep tinted windows?). Great handling car (Mercedes underpinnings) with a Hemi engine that just wouldn't quit..........

Next to an unreliable Acura TL and then onto this car.........

New for 2013, the Cadillac ATS was lauded at the time.A bit small in the back seat, but it handled well and it was fast with its turbo motor. All the buff mags loved this car, but after a strong first year's sales, it slowly dropped down the sales charts until it was discontinued, only to be reborn as the 2020 CT4.

So many favorites. So little time.

Finally to my last two cars, a 2016 Maxima and a 2019. Love them both. Big power. Tons of conveniences. Lots of room. A great car and one that I can brag, has never been back to the dealer for anything. Pretty impressive.

So what has made your heart race over the years or even today? What stole your car heart and has made you yearn for it ever since? Like me is there more than one or is it a there is only one choice?

How do I love thee?

Until next time........