baby, you can drive my car

I used to own a 1969 Valiant. I named it Rose. It was the first car I ever owned and I bought it for $500.00. All because of the fabled Slant 6 engine. From the very beginning that car was a lesson in car maintenance. The first thing I had to do was have the head gasket on the radiator resealed. When I decided I was going to drive it from Calgary to Vancouver, I had to have both upper and lower ball joints redone. That job cost $970.00. That was a month after I bought it.

Further lessons in car anatomy followed when I drove in to the United States. The radiator started leaking at the border but I persevered. In Everett, Wa, I had to have the head gasket soldered again and then in Portland it was clear, the whole thing would have to be replaced. Luckily, I found a radiator shop run by a woman.

Fran: Look, I like Canadians and you seem very nice. I'll sell you this thing at cost to help you. I also won't charge you labor if you want to do this yourself.
Me: Ok (sheepish, uncertain look on my face)
Fran: You have tools don't you?
Me: Um no.

Fran handed me a few wrenches and gave me a quick lesson in hoses, bolts and removal of the cooling system in a 69 Valiant and left me alone to finish the task. I did.

Further unexpected instructions and assignments covered:

-cracked manifold and head gasket repair
-spark plugs
-changing the oil
-boosting the car up on a jack
-drum brakes adjustment and ultimate replacement.
-starter motor
-ignition switch
-stalls and getting a jump
-timing
-carburetor and what it means to run rich
-electrical wiring and fuses
-radio maintenance
-steering column
-tires
-the horn
-exhaust pipe and muffler

I know I'm forgetting something, but I did save ever single receipt for every single repair or part I paid for. And then I handed them all over when I sold Rose 5 years later after she literally became a monkey on my back. In the end, I had a cool car, learned alot of words and found the ability to talk shop bullshit to not get ripped off by a mechanic that thought I was a stupid, gullible girl.

I have vowed to never ever be the sole owner of a vehicle ever again. But that doesn't stop me from occasionally needing a car. So, after looking into the matter and having experience with Michael being a involved, today I became a member of the very first car co-operative in Canada.

What does that mean?

It means I have access to a variety of vehicles parked around the lower mainland. It means I can book a car for as little as a 1/2 hr. Most importantly, it means I can drive to Ikea or relieve my arms of carrying 7 bags of groceries home.