The long road, each car we drive has an impact upon our souls. 

Being 5 

As a young man I would dream of driving cars through rough terrain and battling against wind rain and hail. I would be making some amazing jumps and maneuvers that made me the best driver in the world. I was 5 after all.

My imagination ran a little wild when I was 5 going on 25 but man it was fun imagining the ultimate machine. Of course, I have never owned was is considered an ultimate machine but at least I can still imagine. 

My Dad

I have always liked cars and when I was young it was any car that my dad would point out. These days those cars are considered classics or bombs, depending on their condition. But to me they are the cars of my childhood and they left a mark. 

My dad drove many cars over the years. But the most interesting and awesome of these cars came in a small package. 

A classic 1975 Mini – brown. My dad had this car for many years, and he drove it into the ground. This car was always fun to be in. It was low to the ground, went superfast and had some interesting interior. 

It was a work horse of a car, but it was lots of fun and my dad loved it.

At 5 years old any car was fast, and the interior was interesting because it had very little in it other than an am radio and a gear stick that came up from the floor. The seats were vinyl and the boot opened down.

This brown mini was the first of 2 mini’s my dad owned. He also spoke of the VW beetle he owned and how it was the best car he owned. I don’t remember the beetle, but my dad has talked on and off about it over the years. 

These cars had good memories for my dad and because of his impressions and love for the cars it influenced my car passions. 

My first car

My Dad allowed me to take over the second mini as my first car and I can tell you that it was a fantastic car. 

All cars have their quirks and this mini was no different. But the fun, stories and quirks made the experience all the better. 

Hanging out with friends who also drove mini’s and the good times we had catching up because of these cars made the experience leave impressions on my soul. 

When driving the mini I was close to the ground and could feel and hear every bump and roll of the car. It was small, comfortable and just downright fun. 

The long road calls back to the long road taken to get to where I am today but to the long road to own a car that makes me feel the way I did when I first owned the Mini. 

Feeding the Soul

I have test driven a Tesla model 3 and I can say without any doubt the model 3 reminds me of the original mini. Minimal interior, power when you need it and not much else. It reminds me of the passion I have for cars and the fun that I had in my early 20’s.

To say that cars leave an impression on your future decisions by taking you back to your youth is totally true. 

I loved the mini, and when I finally can own a Tesla, I too will love being taken back to my younger years to that feeling of passion, fun and exuberance. 

I hope I too can have the same influence and impact for my son when he starts to learn how to drive.  

Dave