Which car did you first learn to drive in?

[CitroJim]

Glyn, fantastic Enjoyed reading that immensely!

[Peter.N.]

Yes very interesting Glyn. I got my bike license on a 1951 125 Vespa in 1956 but never went back to two wheels after I passed my car test - fell off to many times

Peter

[CitroJim]

I was a keen biker (of the motorised variety) in the 80s but not ridden for a good 27 years now. Unlikely to again..

I much prefer the other sort of two-wheeled transport these days; the self-powered sort!

[Paul-R]

I got my provisional licence at age 17. The driving school we (parents and I - they were paying!) chose used Triumph Heralds, which happened to be the same model that my mum ran. The idea was that my dad would take me out in my mum's car for some accompanied driving. I don't remember that happening more than once but not sure why as I also don't remember there being any arguments.

Anyway, the driving school instructor was the same one that had taught my mum. He was the dead spit of Stanley Unwin (look him up youngsters) although he certainly didn't have the mannerisms. I put in for my test which came through the week after my first six month provisional licence had expired so I had to apply for another one. Passed first time even dropping a huge clanger during the test.

During the section where they asked you to use hand signals I couldn't remember what the correct one for turning left was (like a sort of royal wave at door level through the open RH window) I simply put my left arm out in front of the tester as a mirror image of turning right. Everything else must have been OK for him to pass me despite that.

I passed my test in November and some four weeks later my mum sent me out in her car on Christmas Eve to go and collect the turkey. At that time the M53 motorway was being built and I had to cross the muddy construction area. Shortly after that there was a roundabout and I took it much too fast. The speed, the mud and the swing arm rear suspension of the Herald all conspired for me to lose control and smack some poor chap driving the other way no matter how much he tried to avoid me!

When I got home I said to my mum "Mum, you're never going to forgive me, I've crashed your car". She could tell that I was in shock as I was white so she didn't shout at me. We went out to look at it and then pushed the car up the drive against the house so my father couldn't see it when he got back from work. We didn't tell him about the crash until after Christmas so as not to spoil it!

[vborovic]

Reading some of the posts here, just how old are you people? ... ... (no intention of offending anybody)

[Jaf]

My recollection of the family cars is that they were cheap, nasty and brown. Brown cars were slightly cheaper to buy. Dad always did the maintenance, I know even brake pads had to be saved up for. We had a brown Vauxhall viva that I practised in. Except it had a fuelling problem and would kangaroo down the road when cold. For some reason dad would let me drive when we went camping in France from about 12, but only in campsites and car parks. He had an Astra company car once, joy. Did the actual test in a white bsm rover something. They turned up in a brand new one on the day of my test. Then during my test some moron drove up the pavement to get round me as I did my 3 point turn! Still passed though, I kept my cool.

My first car was a ford escort. Not a very good car. In dove grey so at least it wasn't brown!

Years later I took my bike test on my Yamaha sr125. Failed the hazard perception test as I clicked on the hazard too early?!? I reckon in real life if you didn't notice the hazard early you'd be in real trouble. Anyway, did it again and clicked on the hazard when they were practically on top of me. Some oik stole the bike when it was off the road for not starting. They beat it up and left it on the council estate round the corner. B****ds.

[Paul-R]

Reading some of the post here, just how old are you people? ...

Young at heart!

See my sig...

[GiveMeABreak]

Reading some of the post here, just how old are you people? ...

Looks like you and I are the babies of the bunch Vab!

[Gibbo2286]

Reading some of the post here, just how old are you people? ...

Let's just say I left school in March 1950.

[The Ace]

First car(s) to drive were a Datsun 120Y (imported directly from Germany by my dad in 1973) and a Fiat 128. I hated the Fiat and loved the Datsun, although I almost crashed it on my very first "test-drive" (I was way below the minimum legal driving age )

When it was time to sell them, the Datsun was practically spotless (my dad used to say "it just wont quit"), and the Fiat was practically useless (rusted and malfunctioning way BLR)

And yes, lets just say that all these happened more than 30 years ago, and we'll leave it at that

[RichardW]

First motorised thing I drove was a Kubota mini tractor. First car was, I think, a shot of my mate's shed of a Mini. Driving lessons (by my Dad, and a few sit ins with a friend who was an ADI) mostly in a light blue Visa II Super E (SDL 20X), but also some time in the Visa Special we also had (turd brown, RJH 822Y). I passed my test at the first go in the blue Visa - as did both my Sisters. My younger Sister in particular did well, as by then (3 years after me) the clutch was pretty well shot, and synchro on the lower gears was intermittent at best!!

[CitroJim]

Reading some of the posts here, just how old are you people? ... ... (no intention of offending anybody)

Chronological or mental?

Me, I'm just about to roll over to 57 chronologically but physically and mentally I'm a lot, lot younger....

A dour ex-boss who is just the opposite describes me as a teenager trapped in an adult's body.... That's not a bad description really although I have a body that would put many teenagers to shame....

[CitroJim]

the clutch was pretty well shot, and synchro on the lower gears was intermittent at best!!

That's character-building Richard A perfect way to learn the gentle art of double-declutching!

[myglaren]

I took my test in 1965 which should give an indication of my age. Passed first time 6 weeks after my birthday.

[CitroJim]

Gosh! I was 6 then but already well into cars.. Dad had an Austin A40 Farina then and just like me he much preferred laying spanners across it rather than driving it.

Cars in those days were for essential journeys only; ones you could neither walk nor cycle to... It was a special occasion to actually go somewhere in the car...

Dad's main form of transport for trips beyond walk/cycle range in those days was his NSU Quickly...