V8

As the old battleship sits in dry dock awaiting repairs to the leaking radiator,  I can't help but to reminisce on the first v8 to make a mark on my youth.

Dirt bikes and bicycles had done there part to instill the fascination with speed, but the aquisition of the beloved license to legally operate a vehicle on public roads had opened up a door. A door that had no lock, no latch and no chance of ever getting shut again.

The powers at hand had done all to keep the under powered four cylinder in my mits.

However, like all other testosterone filled youth. No amount of precautionary planning was going to keep the body safe and the mind from finding away.

Although in retrospect it really wasn't hard. Somebody needed the truck and i needed to get to work. Work being a cornucopia of Porsche, jaguars, mazartti, it was never hard to race in early.

And race in that day i would. The plain brown wrapper that housed the eye opening experience was my older brothers nineteen seventy four dodge dart four door.

Previously having been the property of the city of Seattle. It had what is estimated at close to three hundred and fifty thousand miles on it, black vinal interior and a tape player. It also had for some reason Mopar rally wheels.

So initially the wheels were purchased for fifty dollars and the owner threw in the car and a very strong three eighteen v8. Even at six foot four my brother had to stuff a pillow in the seat to be able to look through the rearview mirror, but It got him out into the world.

Years had passed and finally it was my turn to put foot to rubberized metal pedal.

The day came that I had to drive it to work, unthreatened I hoped in and quickly realized that I lacked the statue to see through the rearview mirror. Unfazed by this fact, I threw the key in and turned it. Whir whir whir of the distinct gear driven dodge starter. Whop whop whop grrrr it was awake and we were off.

Half way to work, I had familiarized myself in the sea of vynal and had grown comfortable in my new surroundings.

Eyes popped open when it dawned on me that I had to cross a four lane highway from a stop sign, country living!

As I sat idling...waiting and waiting for my window. Finally I gave into my courage and without hesitation. I stood on that long skinny pedal.

My arms went straight and my head slammed back against the seat. One rear tire began to melt away. As I crested the center lane and the steering went slack in my hand I swore to myself, most likely out loud, that I will and must have myself a v8.