Sunday, September 10, 2006

DRIVING THE CAR

When and where did you learn to drive? Did you have fun with the standard shift? How far back does your memory go? Does anyone remember when cars went from hand to foot feed or automatic advances? Crawford Park was a great place to teach a learner. Wide streets, little traffic.   Ed

29 comments:

waynefeb2940 MSN said...

The scariest place for a beginner with a standard shift was the intersection with Upper Lachine road coming out of the st Remi tunnel.  Right in front of that tavern. That hill had to be 45 degrees.

les__f MSN said...

I can Remember learning to drive a standard shift,up behind the Auditorium (beside it actually,.along where Therrien Park is now,...in those days it was a long paved road &parking lot ,that ran from Church Av along behind the VerdunHospital,.......there was no Pool at Therrien at that time,.......it's funny even the police wouldn't really bother you ,when they knew you were learning,.....My brother used to let me drive,and learn to shift .............lots of fun,.....then to drive around Montreal was a,a blast,......there was one really steep hill I seem to Remember ,I think it was 'Landsdowne' btwn Sherbrooke to Westmount Blvd???  part of this road was very narrow & steep..........I think if you were coming down it ,.it would bring you towards the old POM Bakery,........area:  Where's Edbro,....he would know ,driving around those areas,  or kungfu(Jim),........?   Anyone know for sure,...I think the little road has long been blocked off,...but I am not certain................JMH  (where's those Google Earth maps........hahahaha) .......Learning to Drive : a right of Passage (so to speak..........hahahaha) I also used to get to drive my oldmans car (when I didn't steal it......hahahah)  from his shop in the Point to Lasalle,.....all the while still be too young to even have a license,.....also Drove the whole family from Montreal to Muskoka Ontario,(without incident),.....just after I had turned 14.................hahahahahaha  Probably couldn't do those things these days: (I mean at 14 of course).........all this driving talk ,after I have just spent all last week out on the Highways of BC & Alberta,.........finding it almost a chore,..but this thread just reminded me at how much 'fun ' we always thought of it: All a matter of perspective I guess,....(I just don't like crowded city's anymore,I don't think of being in Bumper to Bumper traffic as Driving..............)hahahahahah                            "Have Fun & Remember Verdun"

edbro68 MSN said...

Les, The name Landsdowne put fear into the heart of the best drivers on an icy day. One of the worst hills was Belvedere road leading up to the summit circle. At the top of Belvedere there was a stop sign and a sharp left turn onto the circle. Belvedere itself was an ess bend all the way. Most people living there had professional chauffeurs. Would you believe I got my first license at 15. !951 was the last year that they didn't ask for age I D. He asked if I was 17 and I said yes. It was that simple. He also asked if I wanted to drive a car or a truck and I said both so he gave me a license to drive anything except a school bus. School bus also required a medical. I was never tested on trailers until I started driving stateside.

les__f MSN said...

Thanks Ed,.....my memory was on track I guess for the Landsdowne name I too had a Chauffeurs License it was called,.( I think)  they had caegories 1a : allowed you to drive anything including a Bus (without passengers) 1b:  with a medical allowed you to drive anything including a Bus with passengers or vie-versa ??   Now I'm not sure,......anyone out there Remember the different class of drivers license's ??  Also Ed ,the Motor Vehicle Dept, in the back of the City Hall ,bottom floor ,right across from Willibrord park,......was rather lenient in scrutinizing the proper papers,....hahahahaha  I took the test for a few friends,in the early years ,as I could park anywhere,and drive a standard,........They didn't have pictures on the Drivers License then,they just gace you a paper ,and you were good to go............hahahaha Quebec was a great place to 'get ' things done................ all you needed was a birth certificate,......and everyone knows you can't find any of those around Montreal..........hahahahaha              "Have Fun & Remember Verdun"

bombog2004 MSN said...

Hi, edbro68:   I first learned how to "drive" when I was under 10 years old, when my foster father, who was part-owner of the Montreal Landscape Company, would sit me on his lap and let me steer.   My feet couldn't reach the pedals, of course, but he showed me how to change gears, because in those days the shifter was on the steering column.  He'd clutch and tell me to shift.   The Montreal Landscape Company was located at the top of Westminister Avenue in Cote St. Luc, where the rail yards are.    There were no people on the street early on Sunday morning, about 6 o'clock, when I was driving.  Thank God.   Regards,   Jack    

les__f MSN said...

Bombog2004,........I have to laugh,cause I think we all really did get our start,sitting on the oldmans lap,......and steering and shifting (with a little help of course)...............Good memory,...........hahahahah I also used to 'pretend' to drive by steering via the Big Round Vent in the center of the dash (early 50's Olds or Chev),......the big chrome heater vent in te center of the dash was my mini steering wheel............hahahahah                  "Have Fun & Remember Verdun"

edbro68 MSN said...

Dear Sabby, Do you drop the S sometimes and give advice? Seriously, I wanted to say a word about why people left this province. I believe you are writing a book on it. I think it's important to keep the record straight. English people did not run away from this province as so many intimate, They simply went after their jobs. It was not the FLQ or the October crisis that drove people away. English Quebecers are tougher than that. Truth is that the companies did not want to spend the money to have all documentation translated to French. There was also the high taxes, many were looking for an excuse to go. When these companies left the province, people had no choice but to move in order to make a living. If  these companies had been honest and told the government (PQ) why they were leaving we might have been able to stem the tide. Most just announced they were going and immediately left. The only one that came out and actually said that it was the French language laws that made them leave the province was not being entirely clear. Sun Life Insurance, who didn't want to go as they were proud of their situation here with a building that took a whole downtown block, had no choice. Sun Life deals mostly in group insurance. When the other companies went, so did Sun Life's clients. I've often wondered if that impressive building is still called the Sun Life Building. I'll try to find out. As you can tell by the posts in Verdun Connections the English never abandoned this province it's still in their hearts. Ed

edbro68 MSN said...

I don't know why the above ended up on this thread but it's par for the course today. This morning I opened the service with the tune 'Austria' an Anglican hymn tune also used by Hitler for the German National Anthem. I forgot we had some Jewish friends in the congregation. Fortunateky for me they took it humourously. Ed

edbro68 MSN said...

Les, 1a was the category to drive anything. I had 1b and occasionaly drove buses with it. Auto delivery business closed from Dec.15 to Feb 1 so the plants could retool. I used to hop on whatever was available for 6 weeks. I think it's reprehensible that you took the test for several people. I only did it once. Ed

les__f MSN said...

Yes that's it,.thanks I figured you would know that,......the only difference to drive a bus (with passengers) was you had to havea medical every so often,..at least that's what it was when my brother drove Murray Hill Bus's around Montreal & whereever, ......................................but to drive the bus ,for transport ,or jockey'ing,..you didn't need the medical,. ..........................................................I wonder if I still have my old Quebec license around somewhere,.you know us Verdun'ers,we don't throw out much............hahahaha As for those who got their licsense by questonable means,.I hope they have learned to Park it themselves by now..............hahahahahah but out here ,i see people from many other nations ,who cannot speak either offical language,let alone read them,......and they all seem to have a licesense,......So I have a feeling the old way of obtaining them ,is alive & well,(at least here in BC) .....and it shows in the driving.........hahahahah                              "Have Fun & Remember Verdun"

mom1945-linda MSN said...

Les_F   I'm not sure about driving in the rest of BC so much, but out here on the island they're one step removed from driving the horse and buggy.  Frustrating....... you bet!!!!   Cheers    

les__f MSN said...

I know exactly what you mean..............hahahahaha   Here's a little film,..... http://www.freeonlinegames.com/play/2170.html   see if it works...........................                                                HF&RV

happydi2 MSN said...

Hi Ed and Sabby:   Paul and I decide we wanted to leave Quebec long before the October Crisis. We were fed up with the politics, we could see the writing on the wall so to speak and we didn't like what we thought the future would bring. We had been to the Maritimes on several trips and liked what we saw here, the slower pace of life and the very friendly people. When the October Crises occured we decided then and there that if we were serious about leaving now was the time to do it. Paul was employed at Air Canada and was able to apply for a transfer which came through nearly two years later. We didn't leave due to economic reasons, nor because we weren't bilingual but because we wanted to have a good life and live in peace in a safe environment for us and our children. I have never regretted the move. I have to hand it to anyone who stayed in Quebec and weathered the storm, for me and my family we did what was best for us. Sure we have our political woes here too, but the biggest thing that is being debated here in Nova Scotia is whether or not to have Sunday shopping! What a hoot!   This is a great topic and I really enjoyed it earlier on when it was first brought up.   Dianne    Sabby goo    

happydi2 MSN said...

Sabby: I started to say good luck with your novel and your anthology on Post 15 but sent the message before I finished it! I don't know if I'm up too early!! Oh, well...   Di

edbro68 MSN said...

Sabby, Thanks for setting me straight, The reason I wrote that was because I overheard a discussion the other night about why Anglos left Quebec. One comment, that Anglos had run away in fear angered me and I interupted and set them straight. I told the man who made it that if he was not employed by Government he might be gone looking for a job too, in spite of the fact that he is Franophone. I I've learned to live with the situation here but find it hard to accept the ignorance of the French people. As you mentioned people like Parizeau refuse English to the people even though they know it's necessary in this world. Another problem is that their language is so antiquated. We too, used to say Valley of the Sun but we now say Sunvalley. They still say Vale de les vents/soleil. Three unnecessary words. The hard part is the masculine/feminine. Table and chair for example one is masc. the other is fem. I'm afraid to leave them alone in the kitchen at night.    Ed

edbro68 MSN said...

Dianne, I'm delighted that you're happy where you live. It shows in your writing. I'm sure that you and Paul thought very seriously about moving. I remember many evenings when Paul and I walked and talked together for hours, discussing life in general and problems at the youth group. Paaul never made any decision without thinking it through carefully and I've always felt he had a brilliant mind, much above the average. Ask him for me why he changed his hair color from blond to bald. Ed

happydi2 MSN said...

Ed...It's like this......teenagers, Ed, will do it every time!!!!   Seriously though, Paul is the type of person who does think everything through very carefully. Me, on the other hand, that's a different story. I guess we complement each other which is the key to every success story.   I will pass on to Paul what you said and thanks from him....   Dianne

maggiemck MSN said...

The first time I tried to learn how to drive was shortly after my 16th birthday. My boyfriend at the time had a little mazda (standard) and was trying to be very patient. The last straw was when we were up behind the boardwalk at first avenue, (a dirt lot) when he had me put the car in reverse, I put the pedal to the metal and had the wheel turned as far the the right as it would go. I think he may still get dizzy when he thinks about it. I did finally get a license 10 years later.

edbro68 MSN said...

This thread reminds me of teaching my wife to drive. The first block went something like.  "OK love we're coming to a corner, you need to slow d...........there's a stop sign there.  DEAR YOU'RE GOING A LITTLE ........, YOU BETTER........ PUT YOUR FOOT ON ........SHIT STOP.

edbro68 MSN said...

Getting back to driving. Who remembers the starter button under the clutch on Dodges. Or on the GM trucks the big spring to the right of the gas pedal. You started the car with your toe pressing the stater and your heel pumping the gas. Ford had a switch on the steering column that you turbed on then prtessed a button. Some models of Buick had the starter on the Carb. You just pressed the gas pedal. Some memories. At Mario's BA service station on Laverendrye at Allard I changed 76 sets of snow tires one day from 7am to 11pm. Went home exhausted. Just the memory of that helps me not miss driving. Who can tell me the difference between hand feed and foot feed? Ed

sabby MSN said...

Ed,   I appreciate your remarks re anglophones leaving Quebec.  I have some very intelligent Francophone friends who remain in Quebec.  I always tell people to find the facts themselves, don't go by what other people say.  Be opened-mind, keep informed, research, read read read and then make up your own mind..  Knowledge is power --- nobody can take that away..   Example:  when you go shopping for say a computer, do you just buy what the salesman tells you or do you do some research ahead of time, you know, ask friends, experts, etc. before you make up your mind?  So too with getting the facts--- do some comparison shopping..   As for the language.  Well, being a writer I love words and their origins and I get off on different dialects.  Lanugage is an evolving thing.  Heck, the nuns made us do Latin translations, for heaven's sake!  I learned Parisian French in school while everyone around me was talking Quebecois.  And then there's joual.  Check out Michel Tremblay's plays.  Fabulous stuff!  My opinion for what it's worth coming from a bleary eyed soul here who has to get up early tomorrow.  You guys are a distraction.  Ha!..      Dolly

les__f MSN said...

Edbro,...........I Remember those starter buttons,......but probably not from the same timeframe as you ( but I have driven a lot of vehicles ,being in the automotive biz,for a long time),.........but As for changing tires,.....you have Reminded me of my days ,working at the Texaco (3rd & Champlain),........and when Winter was setting in upon us We had to stay all day & all Night,.......to mount Snow Tires for the Folks who waited till the last minute,to have them installed...............We had a ball,we'd be there till 5 am changing tires,........How Many ,I don't really know ,but we worked all day 7 all night doing it...................hahahahahha,.............and I wouldn't change a thing,.......I loved it :..........Driving the Tow Truck was the best,....Boosting cars everywhere,....plowing driveways,.....Towing Cars,........even Pumping Gas when it was 20 below F.........    and the owner Lucien Corbeil ,who owned 3 Texaco's in Ville Lasalle,.......was a cool guy,treated us good,and taught us to do a good job..........We learned to work ,but more Importantly We learned to Treat Our Customers Well,..........and they in turn Would treat us well,.......... ..........................Have Fun & Remember Verdun"   ...........He also went on to own the Huge Texaco at Dorval airport,........where I met a lot of famouse Montrealer's .........etc etc ,,,..........blah blah blah

edbro68 MSN said...

Les, Great to hear that someone else went through the agony of frozen hands changing flats on the road, crawling under a car in the snow to jook up the tow chain. How about trying to find grease nipples or unblock them  to save a customers car. Trying to find the gas cap in the fifties when the designers were doing their best to hide them. Do you remember 57 Fords with the constant points problems or the pontiacs that would speed up by themselves on a left turn. The Dodge Powerwagon was a great tow truck and a little four wheel drive Jeep or Land Rover could move a mountain. Ed

les__f MSN said...

Hi Edbro,....I have changed starters in the dead of winter ,laying on the road with one wheel up on the curb ,.....freezing hands,.laying in snow,.......hahahahaha The truck if I Remember rightly was a '68 Dodge PTO Holmes 440 ,winch,.....this thing had torque,what a great old truck,....but I have to tell you of a buddy of mine ,who worked at the Fina Station on Centrale (around 38th??? ) in Lasalle,..they had an old (old even then) early 50's ) tow truck,....with not much more than a winch with a cable on the back,....anyway my buddy used to wrap the cable around the Floor Hoist in the Garage Bay,.....and then let out the clutch slowly ,till the truck's front end would lift right up in the air........Crazy kids ,but it did look funny with the front end pulled right off the ground ,and the engine revving as if it were a Horse being held back,from getting ready to charge..........               "Have Fun & Remember Verdun"

les__f MSN said...

BTW  Ed ,in those days We automaticly checked the oil (on everycar)did the windows, and checked the tires if needed also made (surprisingly enough) about $120/month in tips,......I stilled tipped gas station attendants ,when i first moved out west,.but it was rare ,that people did that here,.( Back in montreal it was common place),....We didn't expect tips,..but recieved them in any case,.......but Self Serve ,has done away with that ,...Nowadays (at least out here) You would be hard pressed to,even find a 'Service Station',......they all have 'convience stores' & no mechanics...........hahahahaha Although I don't know ,what's so convienent about paying duoble the price for everything...........hahahahaha                                                                                       "HF&RV"

edbro68 MSN said...

OK. I asked a question about the foot feed on a car. Cars like the Model T Ford (1919) had the accelerator on the steering wheel. It was in the center of the wheel where the horn is today. Next to it was the spark advance. Gear shifting was done by foot where the gas pedal is today. The shift was a rachet. One, two, three and one again. Like some bikes, no reverse. To move ahead one found first gear and then pulled downwards on the gas and spark at the same time while releasing the clutch. During the next decade many innovations were born but one of the greatest was the automatic spark advance running of the intake manifold. The gas pedal was born (Foot Feed) and a floor shift. I only drove a Model T 4 times but it was a scary experience because old Charley Ben (Woodland Ave.) kept his 't' in mint condition. Ed

edbro68 MSN said...

This message has been deleted by the author.

edbro68 MSN said...

A term I haven't heard in a long time , and thinking about "fender skirts" ,  my '54 Ford and my '61 were so equipped.  It started me thinking about other words that quietly disappear from our language with hardly a notice.
            Like "curb feelers."  I've been think about getting a pair of these but couldn't find them in the Auto Parts store.
And "steering knobs." (AKA) suicide knob.  I put one of these on the '54 and it quickly 'ate' through the steering wheel.                 Remember "Continental kits?"  They were rear bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental.  I really wanted one but they were like $150 dollars and that was too much to put on a $300 car.
                    When did we quit calling them "emergency brakes?"  At some point "parking brake" became the proper term.  But I miss the hint of drama that went with "emergency brake."
                     I'm sad, too, that almost all the old folks are gone who would call the accelerator the "foot feed."   I love to use this word in the classes that I teach that are filled with teens.
                           Didn't you ever wait at the street for your daddy to come home, so you could ride the "running board" up to the house?  We had a couple of cars that sat in the back yard that had 'running boards' but not 'running engines'.
                I miss those made-up marketing words that were meant to sound so modern and now sound so retro.  Words like "DynaFlow" and "Electrolux."  Introducing the 1963 Admiral TV, now with "SpectraVision!" \
  Someone sent me this email recently and I’d like to add a few thoughts of my own. In our winters , fender skirts were a pain in the neck. They gathered slush which froze behind and often forced them right off the car. Changing a tire in winter was a chore having to deal first with the frozen fender skirt. Curb feelers were actually invented to protect white wall tires. Most of the young guys wouldn’t put curb feelers on their car because it meant they weren’t good enough drivers. Steering knobs were finally outlawed after a few broken fingers from the steering wheel spinning back. Continental kits supposedly made the car look like a Lincoln but it still looked like a ford wearing  a bustle.
 We stopped calling them emergency brakes when the double reservoir master cylinder came out..  With the separate reservoirs it was pretty much impossible to run out of brakes completely The term foot feed went out with 1930’s. I you remember ‘Dynaflow’  it was a Buick invention the pitch of the blades in the transmission revolved to change the take off power.  More of a  slushomatic.   Ed
 

Unknown said...

Hi Les_f,
Lucien Corbeil was my grand father, he was such a great man...a big part of my childhood souvenirs are associated with all the Texaco stuff and the station at the Dorval airport. Maybe you have some pics of him or my uncles Laurent and Philippe. You can contact me via e-mail at benoitgregoirebg@hotmail.com
Thanks a lot.