Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
I remember the first time I used midnight auto supply. I was at Skips, parked, enjoying a Boston coffee. This female was driving, with her boyfriend shotgun. She backs out and nicks my driver's side headlight bezel with the rear fin of her 57 Chev.
We both get out to check the damage, at Skip's! Well long story short, her car, nothing, my 59 Impala has a dent in the bezel. The boyfriend steps up and says he'll cover the cost. Well, I say, that bezel is expensive, at least $40.00. He gives me two twentys, and we're both happy.
The next day my midnight guys say $5.00 for a replacement. I a happy camper. We agree to call when the part becomes available.
Three day later, I get my bezel. Take the old dented part off, put the replacement on. I'm once again I'm happy that my beautiful black with red interior 59 looks like new.
A few days later, I notice that my neighbors 59 four door Chev is missing a headlight bezel.
Contacted my midnight boys and told them to farm their parts a little further from home. Message received, cool out, they said.
I bought the 59 from a friend who joined the Marines. He wanted to keep the car, but his dad said to sell it. It was like new when I got it in 61, plastic seat covers and all. I borrowed $1500.00 from my dad, promising him I'd work for him without wages 'till the 59 was paid off. Great guy that my dad was, we did the deal and I kept my end of the bargain. He deeply regretted the loan after I started stacking up speeding tickets. When I had to go into the 'insurace risk pool', he said buddy you're on you own, you need to get a better paying job.
When I California raked it and installed scavenger pipes, it looked like it was right out of Hot Rod Magazine.
This was my first practice car. The car you learn everything about go-fast with, including power shifting. Corvette cam form Nickey, three duces, Hurst shifter, baby moons, Mallory dual point distributor and huge coil and Sun tach. The 283 held up well 'till i traded it for a 63 SS. I did blow the three speed once, but rebuilt it myself for pennys.
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