This is the AMC Hornet Sportabout my parents owned for a few years starting in about 1972–I think we kept it through the late 70′s. My mom is standing in front of her car in her tennis outfit (she was a champion doubles player at the local country club) in the driveway of our Gales Ferry, Connecticut home, I’d say in 1973. The other snapshot must have been taken shortly after they bought the car, it’s in the driveway of our previous house across town.

As a kid I was fascinated by the “Hornet” emblem, but I don’t have very many specific memories of this car, at least riding in it. I suspect it was forgettable enough, and I haven’t seen one in years. They replaced this eventually with a 1977 Dodge Omni, which I don’t think was a step up!

I must be getting old, because the ride I took from our place to my parent’s in Port Townsend on Sunday was chilly, and yet it was 50 degrees or more out. We were promised a 70 degree day and it never quite materialized. This photo was taken at the Keystone ferry terminal, I was plenty early for my boat, something that will shock anyone who knows me.
(more…)

Generally speaking, I’m very pleased with the Vanden Plas. I’ve put a few thousand miles on it and it has returned a rock steady 23 MPG — overall. On the highway it gets very close to 30 MPG.
(more…)