Lakewood Lore

Fond memories of first cars are revved up

Do you remember your first automobile?

Most old-timers do, partly because they proudly took possession of it back in the days when all life was a dare and hearts were young and dreams unbridled.

First new car for Stephen A. Martin, 70, owner of Lakewood’s Martin Auto Body Shop, was a 1941 Pontiac four-door Torpedo Eight (top of the line), which he bought for $1,183.

“While I was in service during World War II, it wasn’t being used, so my dad sold it,” Steve recalled. “A long time later I started a 20-year search for another just like it. I found a duplicate in 1988, but then it cost me $7,800.

The Pontiac is now part of Steve's antique car collection, which includes a ‘28 Peerless, ‘35 Auburn, ‘35 and ‘36 Chrysler Airflows, ‘37 LaSalle and ‘39 Rolls Royce.

Rolyn F. (Rol) Buchan, 85, kicked off his driving with a black 1920 Model T Ford (only color they came in). The “Tin Lizzie” was a gift from his father. Later Rol worked 18 years for Lossman Motors, the last 13 of them as general manager of the company’s Lakewood dealership at 17710 Detroit.

Clarence A. Seabright, 77, first drove a 1936 Plymouth four-door sedan which he tooled around in during the gas-rationing days of the early ‘40s.

“A friend, who was stricken with appendicitis and couldn’t drive, gave me some of his gas coupons, so I was able to take my bride Lois to Lakeside, Ohio, after our wedding in 1945,” Clarence recalled.

Another honeymooner, Francis J. (Fran) Ginther, 87, drove his first car -- a 1931 Ford two-door -- on a wedding trip to California without mishap, which, he reminded us, was quite an accomplishment at the time. That was 54 years ago, but for Fran and his Eloise, who live in the Westerly Apartments, the memory remains indelibly fresh.

Others who fondly remember their first “buggies” are:

Lenard L. (Les) Wilson, 61, Lakewood landscaper, who bought a used ‘49 Plymouth in his native Toronto when he was 19.

“It ran OK, but the floor boards rusted out, and my friends accused me of dragging my foot to stop the car.”

Robert W. (Bob) Sherman, 64, of Parkwood Road, a used ‘37 Ford coupe.

“I couldn’t afford antifreeze,” said Bob, “so I had to run out every morning and put hot water in it.”

John R. Wheeler, 74, of Seneca Avenue, a second-hand ‘33 Plymouth. “I convinced my mother it was a good car that we should buy because it was previously owned by a priest."

John A. Mertes, 78, of Belle Avenue, a ‘33 Oldsmobile. “I bought it for $450 in ‘34. It was one of the auto industry’s first streamlined cars with bullet headlights.”

Herbert D. Groth, 74, of Parkwood Road, a used ‘32 Hupmobile that cost him $75 in ‘36, replete with rumble seat and two spare tires, one in each of the two front fender wells. “It being a convertible, I immediately put the top down and picked up my date. She immediately made me stop and put the top back up. She complained the wind messed up her hair.”

Ray A. Mylius, 80, began with a used ‘36 Plymouth for which he put out $600. “I bought it for courting my wife and, before that, others who will remain unnamed,” he commented.

Everett H. Root, 78, of Edgewater Drive, had a ‘29 Chevrolet coupe -- “I drove it 150,000 miles. Dad used to say, ‘The engine never got cold.’

“They made cars sturdy in those days,” Everett went on. "At the end, we junked it, dumping the body in an old well on our farm. Forty years later we checked on it, and it wasn’t even rusty.”

Former teacher James R. Ulrich, 64, a ‘35 second-hand Ford coupe. “I bought it when I was 18 because I played in a dance band and needed something for hauling around my drums,” said Jim, who graduated from Lakewood High, then put in a full career with the Lakewood School System.

James R. Mecredy, 72, of Cliff Drive, a ‘38 used Plymouth that cost him $250, “Later when I sold it to my boss’s son, it was found, unbeknown to me, to have once been a taxicab.”

Harvey W. Streitel, 67, of Lakewood Heights Boulevard, a ‘34 Chrysler sedan. “I was single then -- just out of high school -- and put 48 coats of wax on it as part of my tender loving care.”

George Lanzendorfer, 80. “Mine was a 1920 Maxwell that my granddad gave me. When I drove it 35 miles an hour, the vibrations would knock it out of gear.”

H. William Lake, 74, a ‘34 Chevy he bought for $250 when he was 22. “After a few months a tree fell on its front end. Insurance finally paid for the damage, but it took them a long time to decide whether the tree hit the car or the car hit the tree,” Bill recalled.

This article by Dan Chabek appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post November 22, 1990. Reprinted with permission.

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