Requiem for the General: My GM Ownership Experience

The New York Times' autoblog "Wheels" is running a post sharing the author's experiences with GM cars, on the occasion of the car-maker's imminent bankruptcy filing on Monday. And he invites readers to do the same. So read his story, and post your own, here.

Although I grew up in a purely Ford and Chevy household (mostly pickups), my only GM car ownership experience to date is a '73 Chevy Caprice, purchased from my grandfather for $500 just before his death in the early '90s. Car was in great condition inside and out, had a pre-smog-control motor that would haul you-know-what. That car made several long trips up and down the eastern seaboard, and was a joy to pilot down the roads, even if it was impossible to keep gas in it or to find a parking spot big enough for it. Did burn a little oil, and the A/C self-destructed the first time I tried to use it, but then again it WAS 20 years old by the time I got my hands on it.

A few years later I moved to Rochester, NY in the frozen north and had to liquidate the Chevy for a more-practical front wheel drive vehicle (a Ford Tempo of all things - what a come-down). But I'd give my eye teeth to have that burgundy over burgundy beauty (with black hard top) back in the garage as my "toy" car.

My garage has been graced over the years with the following collection of steeds:

1. 1975 Mercury Comet: Yellow paint, White hard top, Pea Green interior (with a flatulent exhaust note reminiscent of a UPS truck)


2. 1978 Mercury Zephyr: Light Tan paint, Dark Tan interior


3. 1973 Chevrolet Caprice (see above)


4. 1986 Ford Tempo LX: Medium Blue Paint and interior


5. 1995 Plymouth Neon: Lilac paint, Grey interior (my first New car)


6. 1991 Ford Escort wagon: Electric Blue paint, tan interior (built by Mazda; damned transmission!)


7. 2000 Dodge Stratus ES: Light Cyprus Pearl Coat paint, Dark Charcoal interior


8. And currently a 1999 Honda CR-V: Silver paint, Grey interior

While GM has produced precious few vehicles that I have considered purchasing during my adult lifetime, I do hope the company can resurrect itself and continue as a going concern. It will be an enormous loss to this country if our ability to manufacture cars slips away in much the same fashion as TVs, radios, VCRs, computers, etc., etc.

Happy Motoring!