Friday, July 5, 2019

My First Car


The photo shows me being presented with the keys to my first car, a 1958 DeSoto Firemite. It's a 3/8 scale car with a polystyrene plastic body, whitewall tires, a gasoline engine, and battery-operated headlights, taillights and horn.

Yes, there's a story behind it. In 1958, Chrysler Corporation dealers were promoting their new cars. When my Uncle Floyd bought his 1958 DeSoto station wagon, Winnebagoland Motors held a "Family Days Car Jamboree" contest for new owners. Floyd entered the name of his six-year-old nephew, me. I was lucky enough to win a new car. I've never had quite that same smile on my face since.



The car gave me and other members of my family years of fun and reliable service on the sidewalks of my neighborhood. The plastic body, not so much. It didn't last more than a couple of years or so, as this 1961 photo demonstrates.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Mark,

I have a couple of questions about your 1958 Desoto Firemite, could you contact me ?

Mark Steger said...

Your profile is not public, so I have no way of contacting you. You can contact me at steger@gmail.com.