Feb. 14, 1955, I was discharged and with papers in hand and daughter No. 1, headed west. The green monster cost me all my mustering out pay to make it to Colorado State College. It broke down 3 times enroute. Soon we bought a '51 used Ford sedan. I would give it mixed reviews. Finally, a used red and white Ford station wagon gave us several years of good service.
After graduation, we (now 4 people) headed for California. I had a degree, a job and eventually an apartment that would take 2 children. Life here was great and in our enthusiasm we bought a spanking new red on red 1959 Corvette, with tonneau cover and storable hardtop. We were now a part of the decadent coast lifestyle.
One and a half years later, the Vette turned into a lime green 2- door Corvair. Please don't ask me how or why that happened.
By 1961 we had 4 children and more station wagons. Later, roomy sedans, a Nash Rambler, Cordoba, Ford LTD, Buick sedan, Buick Sky Hawk, Mercury Capri, Volkswagen Bug, a Chevy Blazer, a tricked out Datsun pickup, a Mazda 626, a GMC Sonoma pickup and Honda Odyssey. I almost forgot an old Plymouth loaner and a Nash Metropolitan that became a badge of courage for Marilyn.
I was somewhat a prostitute when it came to cars. I "slept" around with no favoritism. My parents drove big Hudsons that were great for travel and then later a 57 Chevy. I still consider that sedan model second only to the '59 Corvette for style and class.
Albin Johnson and his father's 1946 Hudson.
1994 GMC Sonoma truck.
1959 Corvette.