I am just posting this little story about first car. A 1977 Pinto Runabout with a 2300 CC motor Automatic tranny. This cars was a piece. It had sit in my parents front yard for 10 years. Then when i turned 16 it became mine. I hated it at the time. But it taught me about cars.

In my car i had Jb Weld, Epoxy, Duct tape, 2 extra inline fule filters electrcal connections and wire, and also had some hand tools. This car had a bad gas tank. It was rusted and everything. About once every 2 weeks i had to replace the Fule filter. I had gotten so good at it i would not hesistate to do it in a 3 piece suit. We cleaned the gas tank out after about a year and fixed the gas gauge. When we did this pin hole size holes started to pop up. Hence the JB weld and epoxy. If it was a number of holes in one area I would JB it. If it was just one i would epoxy. It was not uncommon to have some one say your cars leaking gas. It also had Distributor problem. the car would not start or judt die cause the conection form the Igntion box to the Distrbutor was bad. I had to redo the connection about once month. At one time i had an extra carb, water pump, fule pump, and belts that  carried with me just in case.

It also taught me about what a good Carb and timing could do for perfomace. It had a factory 2 barrle holey that i had rebulit with bigger jets, diffrent floats and a perferomce air filter. With that and some Timing work It would run like raped ape. It was joke at my high school that there 3 things you didny want to do to that car

Hit it in the rear (cause it would explode)
Race it (cause that would your high school career)
or ride in it if your were drug free (in high school i was stoner)

We partied in that car like there was tommorw. We stole a Fire department tape that said "fire line do not cross" and taped in the back of the full glass hatch. It had a bumper sticker that said "mafia staff car Keepa your hands off"  and another that said that "butt Gas or Grass no one rides for free"

That car seen more of Tulsa OK than any other car i  have had. It was a faithful trooper and no matter how many pepole ragged on it in High School at least 90% of the pepole there had ridden it at least once. The 1,000 watt 2 12 inch stereo system attracted them.

When i sold the faithful steed i told the new owner if the interior catches fire get out or inhale deeply which is your pleasure. I had lots of fun in that car. Did alot things i shouldnt have. It was to the date the best car i have ever owned.

I am older now i dont do what i used to do in high school and i have a family. But evey now then i look back and think about the old days in the Pinto. Then about its last resting place and it almost makes me cry. Who ever said cars are mear hunks metal never had a connection with one. I remeber the last time i sae her. Sitting in the Salvage yard. Still 13 diffrent shades blue looking sad and beat down. I wanted to save her but didnt have the money. I returned a while later when i did and had founf out that she had been crushed. I know that car was alive. I know it had feelings. And although we pissed each other off. I would love to have her back.