by Donna Thacker

Created on: December 19, 2008

My favorite classic car is determined from a sentimental point of view. Everyone has fond memories of the very first car they ever owned. If that very first car just happened to be a classic 1969 Pontiac GTO, the memories are even better.

Yes, this magnificent beast was my very first car, and was proudly purchased by my husband as a gift. I spotted her sitting on the back lot of a local auto dealer. She looked lost and forlorn, but she was gorgeous! She was a dark midnight green with black interior. I just knew this car would sparkle in the sunlight, if she was washed and polished. I was in love with this car already.

She was sitting on the back lot because the timing chain was bad, and she did not run. I did not care. I wanted that car. Unless you are actually a car enthusiast, you will not understand how there are some cars you just fall in love with, and there are some you just cannot stand. She was not even considered a classic car at this point, but she was special to me.

What made this car even more special is that my dear husband traded in his car to get the GTO for me. He owned a 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Convertible. He loved that car, but I guess he loved me more, because trading in the Caliente was the only way we could afford this 1969 Pontiac GTO.

The car dealer agreed to replace the timing chain as part of the deal, and I had to wait to bring my car home. I was as anxious as waiting on a baby to arrive, and called them all of the time to get a progress report. While we waited, my husband continued to drive the convertible, and it stopped running.

I was terrified that this would nullify the deal. After all the Comet ran when we made the trade, and now it did not. I guess I was just meant to have this GTO, because the dealer was not too upset, and agreed to take the Caliente anyway. He even brought the GTO to our house hooked to the back of a tow truck. He dropped her off and hooked the Mercury up.

There she was, sitting in front of my house, and she was mine! They had even washed and polished her, and she sparkled as brightly as I thought she would. I was in heaven, and jumping up and down like it was Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one.

That was back in 1973 and my GTO and I have been through a lot together since then. Other than being sleek and gorgeous, she sported a big rumbling 400 HP engine, and she liked to show it off. Yes, I was a hot rod and there were not too many cars around that could beat her. She and I won more quarter mile

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