My first car was a 1974 Ford Torino — deep blue with a soft top and a big 351 V-8 Windsor engine. It’s fate: The radiator cracked, the brake calipers froze and the Torino hit a car in front of me at 6 a.m. at a Des Moines east-side intersection. For a 16-year-old driver, that was a frightening event.
My second automobile was a 1995 Dodge Intrepid. It was clean, it ran well and stayed with me through my freshman year of college. I had the same car style as three of my high school buddies, and we thought it was quite cool to drive them three wide down the four-lane freeway. The Intrepid met its unceremonious end during a crash while on my way to on-the-job training for a summer DJ gig. Needless to say, that wedding was missing its musical trainee.
My third car was an A-to-B’er. My great-grandmother gave me her 1995 Pontiac when she could no longer get behind the wheel. That car was the only vehicle I’ve owned with a normal passing. At 250,000 miles, the white knight finally fell.
I also owned a 1999 Ford Taurus that had an engine blowout on Interstate 80. The high mileage car died in a large white cloud of smoke.
Which brings me to present day. In 2013, I leased my first brand new car. It was simple — a 2013 Ford Fiesta which had limited features. For a 6- foot-5 inch journalist, the tiny car made for a lighthearted arrival to an interview, but the gas mileage was high class at 36 mpg. But Tuesday, I had to say goodbye to yet another car.
Not even 2 years old, the car was broadsided while parked outside my Colfax office. The young man who fell asleep behind the wheel and hit my car was not only humble and honest but more importantly, unhurt.
The car was totaled, and I’m sure my dealer — who was preparing to meet with me Wednesday night to work on a trade-in — had a coronary burst.
Given my auto history, I can safely say I haven’t had the best luck with cars. But I’m blessed to say I’ve had the opportunity to own a car, even if most of them were beaters. I have never been involved in a serious or fatal accident and every person I’ve transported has arrived safely at their destination.
Over the years I have driven with sight obstructing instruments such as double basses and bass guitars, amplifiers and my two brothers. I’ve commuted 5 minutes and 35 minutes to work, and I’ve even driven across the country.
My auto history is plagued, but after Tuesday I feel this is a new beginning. Drive on and drive safely.
Contact Mike Mendenhall
at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com