What got you hooked!

[Novelli]

Just wanted to see from some of the people out there what it was that got them hooked on cars. What was the moment that got you!

Here's mine... I grew up around custom cars and Hot boats, The moment I got hooked was when I was a kid about twelve years old I was walking out of the gas station with my older cousin, and a blown red 66 Chevelle was at the front of the light and a yellow 55 chevy next to it. The light went green and they both hammered down. Tire smoke, noise and two sidways cars.... I was hooked. Hot Rod magazines have been taking my money since that day.I later became friends with the owner of that 66 Chevelle and he let me drive it when I was sixteen. I dont think I slept for two days after driving that car. Good times!

[Aschle]

I was about 4 or 5 years old, my Mom had a 70 Chevy truck, lowered, low profile tires, super turbo mufflers, etc.. My Dad had a Toyota Landcruiser, lifted and a small block Chevy in it... My parents would drag race into town every time they went in seperate vehicles.... I got hooked that way (in a car seat and drag racing). I grew up in a mostly Chevy family and turned into a horsepower junkie. Sort of funny that my old man was a police officer and was always upset when I drove fast...

Jason

[cluxford]

Actually had no interest in cars until the 11th grade.

Sat next to this car junkie in maths. Consequently we read car mags the whole year during maths class. Learned more reading the mags than the text books.

That same year new neighbour moves in, starts building a 69 Vette with a 427 (pretty rare down here in Australia). First V8 I ever drove was that Vette.

From then on all I ever aimed for was a wicked big block Camaro

[Stuart Adams]

Seeing the MULE for the first time years ago, got my juices flowing for Pro Touring.

[70rs]

There was always someone with a fast car in my family. One uncle with a 70 Mach 1, red with black interior. He used to haul my older brother and I around on the weekends in it. Then when my brother got old enough he got an Opel Manta. It had a Buick V6, TH350 trans and a 9 inch. He used to take me to the high school drags. After he sold it he got a 67 Camaro with a big block and that was it for me. I used to bug him and his friends wantig rides all the time. I was 14 at that point. Since then anything with a motor in it has my interest. Even my grandmother had fast cars. My grandpa always had her in Grand Torinos as far back as I can remember.
It didn't hurt that my dad worked in motorcycle shops the whole time I was growing up. I remember when the GSXR came out and him taking me for a ride on one. Bikes, cars and trucks.

[chr2002ca]

I guess Hot Wheels started it for me. Growing up near the Daytona speedway helped. Then shows and movies like Dukes of Hazard, Smokey and the Bandit, the original Gone in 60 Seconds, and Cannonball Run fueled the fire further.

[GregWeld]

When I was about 6 (50 years ago!) my grandfather was putting a new motor in my uncles yellow (black interior) 57 Chevy... They had me sort a can of bolts so I'd stay out of the way... but I was right there! 50 years later - I'll can still see that garage and them working on that cool motor hanging on the chain. That Hurst shifter sticking out of the tunnel -- my uncle rowing gears... man that was so kool!

My first job - was at 13 - I swept the floors at Gateway Body and Fender - $1 per hour - 2 hours after school each day - and 8 hours on Saturday... they had a 32 Ford body that I got to sand on -- that eventually got painted black metal flake (BIG flakes man! Big!)... hated metal flake ever since! LOL

But being around those cars - and eventually getting to "help"... the hook was set. So at 17 - I've moved away from home - my much older room mate ran Portland International Raceway... so 1/8th mile drags every Wednesday - and a few "real" drag races on summer weekends... Ed McCulloch and Art Whipple were local BROKE STROKE funny car racers (we're talking 1970 and 71 here)... I went to "help out" at the Winternationals with them... and a couple other races each summer... Hanging with Prudhomme... Jerry Ruth... Kallita... that smell of nitro... I don't care who you are -- you're hooked!!

BTW - that "job" paid in hot dogs...

YEP! That be me... a VERY long time ago!

[tyoneal]

For Real:

I don't remember when, other than can't remember ever not being a car Geek. I was watching NASCAR in the mid to late 60's, the drag races when Gassers were the rage, the Blue Flame was the Bonneville Record Holder.

I was born in 1962.

My Father had NO interest in cars, however my Grandfather worked for North American during WWII. Maybe I got something from him?

Go Figure??

Ty O'Neal

[acohoon]

My family has always been in the car business. We buy and sell everything we can make money off of. I can remember rebuilding engines and transmissions since I was six years old.

My uncle owned the car that really got me interested in muscle cars. It was a bright red 67 camaro. He bought it and completely replaced the sheet metal. He stroked out a small block and hooked it up to the juice. He raced the thing at the track and anyone who wanted a piece out on the street. It was loud, fast and had an exhaust note at idle that would give me chills. I still see the car from time to time (he sold it) and it takes me back to my youth every time.

[tmadden]

We had just moved back stateside after 3+ years in Germany. My dad bought a house in a quiet neighborhood except that across the street 2 brothers had 2 69 Mach 1 Mustangs. One with a 427 and the other with a 429 i think. I used to sit outside and listen to the engines run. Its like a drug. I can still hear them