What Was Your Father's Old Car?

[Redtiger]

Happy Father’s Day from Redtiger!

Father’s old car often holds a lot of memories — maybe it wasn’t the newest or the most stylish, but it was part of many family moments.
Whether it was used for weekend trips, late-night drives, or just running errands, that car played a role in shaping those experiences. It’s a reminder of time spent together, the little adventures, and the simple moments.

What was your dad’s old car?

Do you have any photos of it you’d like to share?

Are there any stories or memories tied to that car that you’d like to tell?

We’d love to hear from you — feel free to share in the comments below.

Sponsored

 

[Mal106]

One particular car my dad had was really noteworthy to me. I was a car kid. I remember dad's 49 51 and 53 Fords very well all used. Being a car kid I could recognize every car on the road and Ford was my favorite. When I was about 8 or9 dad took me to the used car lot at Spratly Roger's Ford in Hampton. He said I could have any car on the lot. I picked a white '58 Ford 4 door. We got in and drove off the lot! I thought it was that easy. Of course he knew me well enough to know what I'd pick and had already made the deal.

If dad knew I paid over $60,000 for an electric truck, he'd climb out of his grave and beat me silly.

RIP Dad .... I miss you something fierce.

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

My dad sold Ramblers from when I was born until my dad died suddenly 10 ears later on Christmas, 1962. Every fall he'd get a brand new "demo" car (which he had to personally buy) and then he'd sell it 9 months later. For three months we'd have some very old car. Then on the day in September when the new cars came out, he'd come home with a brand new Cross Country station wagon from Rambler. That was back in Rambler's hay day.

 

[Spirit]

My dad bought this in 1968 and i still have it … Aton of memories!

 

[chl]

I believe in this picture my dad had propped me up on his Edsel, although I don't remember much about it except hoping he had a good grip on my arm!

 

[chl]

My dad bought this in 1968 and i still have it … Aton of memories!

I always wanted one of those as a kid...lucky you!

 

[K6CCC]

When I was a kid, my Dad drove a 55 Pontiac convertible. First family car to go over 100K miles. He replaced that with a mid 60s Mustang (whatever the first year they had a V8). He bought it used with about 25K miles on it and from what we figured, it likely still had the factory oil. It did not last long before the blowby was so bad that it was preasurizing the crankcase and ejecting oil out the dipstick tube. Sold that and bought a 72 Toyota Corolla which became Mom's car and was driving the 67 Plymouth station wagon (also used for towing the boat or RV trailer). I totaled the RV trailer and the Plymouth in 76 when I got hit by a drunk going about 100 on the freeway (that was a hell of an exciting 5 seconds!). Both parents were in the car so at least I did not need to call them and saw I wrecked the car... I think that was replaced with the first of 2 Explorers (towed the trailers) and Dad got a early 90s Mustang convertible. That was his last car before he stopped driving when he partially lost his sight (macular degeneration).

 

[rdr854]

When my parents were stationed in Germany - 1977 Volvo 244DL (US Spec). Car was picked up from the factory and driven all over Europe for 10 years until my parents returned to the US in 1987 on a permanent basis.

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

I believe in this picture my dad had propped me up on his Edsel, although I don't remember much about it except hoping he had a good grip on my arm!

Doesn't seem to be an Edsel.

 

[Jseis]

I came home from the hospital in a ‘53 Ford Custom with flathead V-8, three on the tree and overdrive. Mom said Dad would cruise around town to put me asleep when I was cranky 1-3 year old. I still recall that flathead V-8 thrum. I recall a few long trips to San Fransisco, Weiser, Idaho & Grand Coulee Dam.

The one I really recall is the ‘56 Ranch Wagon with a 312 & 4 barrel carb. Automatic with probably a 3.55 rear-end as it would get up and scoot plus tow a Shasta trailer all over hell & gone. We went all over Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho. Bought from a guy named George Weyerhauser who had a summer cabin near our family home. Also a bright red ‘56 F-100 with a 4 speed & 223. He negotiated that for me on a 15 cord of wood deal (I cut the wood).

As both Dad and Grandad were IBEW electrians (Dad a Journeyman and Grandpa was a Master Machinist AND Master Electrician), they’d be all over the Lightning with “See I told ya! Instant torque!” Grandpa Jim oversaw the crew building the windings and installing the armatures on Grand Coulee Dam, he knew something about electrical power!

 

[nerdondo]

One particular car my dad had was really noteworthy to me. I was a car kid. I remember dad's 49 51 and 53 Fords very well all used. Being a car kid I could recognize every car on the road and Ford was my favorite. When I was about 8 or9 dad took me to the used car lot at Spratly Roger's Ford in Hampton. He said I could have any car on the lot. I picked a white '58 Ford 4 door. We got in and drove off the lot! I thought it was that easy. Of course he knew me well enough to know what I'd pick and had already made the deal.

If dad knew I paid over $60,000 for an electric truck, he'd climb out of his grave and beat me silly.

RIP Dad .... I miss you something fierce.

‘65 Ford Fairlane wagon - gold, which I later inherited. Mighty fine ride!

 

[flux capacitor]

I believe in this picture my dad had propped me up on his Edsel, although I don't remember much about it except hoping he had a good grip on my arm!

Looks kind of like a 49 Studebaker. The color, door handles, hubcaps, and that chrome strip.

 

[flyct]

My first car was a 1950 Oldsmobile Delta 88. My fathers first car was a donkey in the old country. I'm really old

 

[Timeless Epoch]

Being as this is a truck forum, I’ll share his first truck. It was a 1979 Ford F150 he bought new. 300 straight six, regular cab, 3 speed manual with a granny, manual transfer case, steel wheels… Bare bones. No air, no radio… It had those manual vents down in the foot well and wings in the windows. A vinyl bench seat that we managed to squeeze a family of 4 into on our way to go camping. You remembered to move your leg when he was about to shift into reverse, after the first few times you didn’t remember.

He drove it until it was nearly rotting off its frame.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

1970 VW Beetle. For about 10 years since I was 2 years old we, mom, dad, and brother,
drove to Dallas TX from California almost every Christmas. Sometimes just New Mexico, and visited many national parks and places of interest. That's how I learned to love road tripping. When I bought my new 98 Beetle I visited some of those same places. My dad took us all over the southwest and up northern Ca. When it came time for an engine rebuild, I helped my dad pull the engine and that's where I got my love for wrenching.
When I got my licence I drove through the SoCal beetle era of the 80s and 90s until we had to junk it.
R.I.P. Beetle, dad is alive and kicking. Happy Fathers Day!

Sponsored