Driving Memories

I was talking with some coworkers about driving.  I couldn’t help but remember my dad teaching my brother, sister and I to drive a stick shift.  Dad owned a pick up that had “3 on the tree.”  For those who don’t know, it was a 3 speed and the shifter was on the steering column. 

 

It was hard to drive.  Dad said that we would eventually get the hang of it.  He mentioned that, like his old days, we could one day start driving, light a cigarette, and drink a coke all at the same time.  He also said if we could learn to drive that, we could drive anything.  He was right.  I remember when I was starting to get the hang of it, but was NOT comfortable yet, a friend of mine got a new Ford Escort.  It was a 4 or 5 speed.  He let me drive it once.  Wow, what a difference!  It was so easy. 

 

Now I’m reminded of something else from older cars.  Why did they move the high beams switch from a button on the floor to something on the steering column?