Fastest Car in Three Counties
Fastest Car in Three Counties
Pull up a chair and sit awhile
September 21, 2026
Dear Friend:
I always loved an adventure, whether it was on foot or going somewhere in the car with my Dad. Riding in a car was always the ultimate means of adventure. My Dad had a 1950s Plymouth Special, baby blue. There was plenty of room in those old cars. When you put four kids and a dog in the car you need plenty of room
Another adventure was riding in my future cousin in laws red convertible. Riding in that car always felt special and I never missed the opportunity. Years later I had a similar experience riding in another convertible in a parade.
Like most teenagers I remember dreaming of the day I could drive a car myself. Unlike most teenagers, I was not taught to drive by my Dad. I remember applying for my permit and studying fervently for the written test. A friend from work actually taught me to drive and took me to my behind-the-wheel test. I passed on the first try, it was such a relief.
Another childhood memory was working on cars as a teenager. I actually helped replace an automatic transmission with a four-speed on a ’69 Chevelle SS. Four-speeds were all the rage among motor heads at the time. We also put in a competition clutch.
I think working on cars was a form of creativity. It wasn't just about fixing something that was broken. It was about figuring out what you could change, what you could improve, and what you could make that car do. Sports cars were nice. They were built to be fast. But take a big, heavy car like a Chevelle and make it mad fast? Now you're talking. That was an accomplishment.
I still remember “Riding the Loop” in Lancaster in that Chevelle. The Chevelle had a reputation for being the fastest car in three counties. Many years later, I had the thrill of a lifetime driving a different Chevelle SS with a competition clutch.
I am very fond of Muscle Cars. The same mechanic I worked with on the Chevelle had a 1966 Ford Mustang, red. And he had a 1968 Chevy Camaro. The muscle cars were the bomb.
Looking back, I realize how many of my memories are tied to the cars I rode in, learned to drive, worked on, and eventually owned.
Then the time came for me to buy my first car, a 1967 Chevrolet Impala. It was a gold two door with a little 283 in it, automatic transmission. It was a small engine but had a lot of get up and go.
Even today, I find myself drawn to a repair shop where I can see into the garage and watch the cars being worked on. There is just something about it that catches my attention. I still love cars.
I don't have a place to work on one anymore, and I certainly don't have the strength I had when I was younger. But I still enjoy watching someone who knows what they are doing bring a car back to life. I suppose that part of me never really changed.
I have owned various vehicles in my life, sedans, station wagons, vans, SUV’s and now a little Honda FIT. I have owned both automatic and four speeds. But my heart is still with that ’69 Chevelle SS from all those years ago. That is when I really learned the satisfaction that comes from seeing all that hard work come together. It was not my vehicle, but just seeing that car perform and knowing I played a part was incredibly satisfying.
Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.
Be well,
Emma
Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, where every story starts with a memory. Through stories of family, friendships, music, traditions, hometowns, and life's simple pleasures, she invites readers to pull up a chair, stay awhile, and remember the moments that have shaped their lives.