Dollars Worth of Gas. (original) (raw)
My earliest and fondest recollection of a brand new vehicle in my life was in 1946. I was seven years old. Although I remember my Dad�s old 1939 Chevrolet pickup very well. And he had a 1935, or maybe it was a �36 Ford Deluxe four door, both of which I also have many fond memories. I have written several stories here on Texas Escapes about those vehicles, too. Just simple, country-boy stuff.
But our brand new set of wheels was a 1946 Willie Jeep, military style, soft top with a windshield that would lay down across the hood. It was totally convertible, with plastic windows in the soft �floppy� doors and in the back curtains, too. With the top, or doors removed, I could just sit there and watch the ground move alongside the Jeep. As a kid, it was an exciting ride to me. And can you imagine; no seat-belts? Those came along about 12 to 14 years later.
That little Jeep had a four cylinder engine and a double-low gear-box with four wheel drive. Plus those great �knobby� ground grip tires. To country folks, it was a powerful, versatile vehicle, very useful on our country dirt roads and rough backwoods terrain.
And this was long before today�s ever popular �mug-hogging� which many young people do now. I remember very well how Dad often demonstrated our Jeep to friends and neighbors, about how it could very ably conquer a steep incline; cross a �serious gully�, or a ditch, and even pull several vehicles in a row at one time.
As an amused kid, I recall how Dad often bragged about our Jeep. �It can pull a dozen cars at one time down the road with their brakes locked�, he would say. That sounded really good for the vehicle, of which he was very proud. But I must say, I never saw that one demonstrated. Oh well! If my Dad said it; I believed it!
In hindsight, I am somewhat surprised Dad never tried to plow our garden or watermelon patch with that Jeep. But we did keep plows and a mule for those chores. However, he did pull the heavy hay bailer in the meadow with it. Driving along slowly, it worked really well.
This �little work horse� served us very well and had a long useful life. It could aptly handle heavy trailer loads of watermelons or hay; even haul cattle to market on occasion. The best part was it�s low �fuel� consumption. The little flathead four cylinder engine sipped gas sparingly. (Yep! Back then it was just called gas; not fuel.)
Frequently I have seen Dad pull up to the gas pumps at Banky�s Mobil Station in McLeod and heard him tell the gas guy, �Give me a dollars worth of regular, Bubba.� And we went inside to buy Dad�s cigarettes and me a peanut patty, and talk to Banky while Bubba checked the engine oil and water; wiped the windshield clean and checked each tire�s pressure. He might even sweep the floor clean with a whisk broom.
All that for a dollars worth of gas. In those days a dollars worth was three to four gallons. Four dollars worth would fill up an empty tank.
I�m really not sure if those were the �good ole days� or not. Are you?
December 1, 2010 Column
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