For me it was a combination of things:
1. Born in Deaborn, MI - home of the Ford Mtr Co. We got to see all the new cars before they hit the showrooms that the execs would drive home or going from the Engineering center to the test track, plus going thru the Rouge plant and the Rotunda. (You "older" guys will remember "Rotunda" on Ford parts boxes.) Before the Rotunda burned down in the early 60's they had a figure eight over and under test drive track where you could ride in the new cars. The only one I remember riding in was an Edsel!
2. Pinewood Derby. I won a model of a T Bird.
3. Dad liked cars and was always willing to answer any questions I had.
4. Grandfather and uncle both worked for Ford.
5. Model T festivals at Greenfield Village and car displays in the Henry Ford Museum.
All of this started me building car models. Eventually I ended up working for
25+ years in service and parts departments. I got to drive a lot of different cars, from muscle cars to Rolls Royces.

Larry.