My Dad was a car lover, and was keen to share with me and did his best with no budget to buy 'nice' cars. Mom likely had something to do his budget... But, I dream that the 1965 Parisienne we had was equipped with a 421 Tri-Power, and our 1969 Country Sedan had the 4V 390; I know our 1972 Country Squire had a 400, but I am not sure it had a 4 barrel. Unfortunately I did know his 76 Cutlass (company car) had the 260 V-8, along with the 79 Malibu; one bright spot was the 79 Parisienne, but it had the 2 barrel 305. Once I was 17 however, I learned Dad had a '56 Olds Super 88 Holiday 2-door hardtop in '58 when he and Mom got married - I immediately started to look for one in the Auto Trader and, success! I found a '56 Super 88 Holiday 4 door and, after a bit of arm twisting and negotiation with Mom, we went to the Original Owner's house and there in the basement garage was the car - not exactly like Dad's but close enough, with only 36,000 miles (this was 1982) and we made a deal and drove it home. Wow. My Dad's dream car, that he used to beat '55 Chevy's in casual street races with, Rocket V-8, 4 barrel, oil-bath air cleaner - immaculately kept by the original owner and subsequently his son. Our connection was solidified and every time Dad drove the car he smiled - and when Mom wasn't expecting it, he'd open up all four barrels and the Rocket would take off - pure joy. Sadly, three years later, we carried Dad's ashes in the car, surrounded by family and he took his last ride in the '56, far too young to pass, at 56 - interesting, right? Miss you Dad; missed you for the last 34 years. Happy Father's Day, love you tonnes (metric tonnes - they're larger) and thank you for giving me the passion for cars that you had, but which was kept on a simmer until we found the '56. 🙂
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