This and that and the automobile

As I See It
Ralph Ayers

Ye gads, it's December already, and I'm in my third month of being cold. Being the last month on our calendar, how was your year? Personally, I lost many life-long friends through death and one through a disagreement, but life goes on, and we all make the most of our pluses and minuses. The Bosox are out of our system 'till 09, and we'll see how the Pats, Celtics, Revolution and Bruins fare! Getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but don't max out your credit cards, as times may (I hope not, as I lived, as you, in a depression) get tougher.

Well, on with my story for December, and it's about the automobile. You know, the wheels you drive, that has tripled in gas prices, and you wished you had bought that six-cylinder, not the eight.

Rev. Bob McGlew called me, a columnist in his own right, and asked me to do a column on car agencies in our city way back when, so I'll give it a try.

Remember buying your first car, perhaps in the range of $100 to $600, depending on your pocketbook, and what Dad thought best for you. You probably bought it in Newburyport, as back in the '30s, '40s and '50s, you didn't have to go far. Here are the firms you dealt with in walking distance. I hope I have them all, but if not, I'm sure I'll hear from you. Here goes ...

Cashman-Condon, Bridge Road, next to Gillis Bridge, (Fords).

Walters Agency, State Street, (Buicks).

Volpone Motors, Merrimac Street, (Fords).

Yeaton Motor, State Street, (Cadillacs).

Ryan Motors, Harris Street, (Plymouths).

Collis Chevrolet, State Street (Chevys).

Bradford Motors, Market Square (Hudson-Essex).

Hoyt's Garage, Titcomb Street, (Oldsmobile).

Shaheen's, Bridge Road (Terraplanes).

Donahue, (formerly Bolles), Winter Street, (Dodge).

Maurice Barenboim, Traffic Circle (?).

Well, Bob, I listed 11 of them, and yes, I had to tax my brain! These dealers were honest, low pressured, and stood by their promises. Their mechanics were craftsmen, and (body) men could fix a dent back, especially when the gauge of steel was evident in all vehicles. My first car, if you want to know, was a '29 Ford (Model A), and the roof leaked, so I tarred the top and fixed the leak. My second was a '33 Plymouth, then a '39 Plymouth (convertible), then a '52 Buick (straight 8), then on and on, as time and financing permitted.

Yes, sit back and recall that car you always dreamed of buying, and the day arrived when you purchased it, and the day it was paid in full. What a feeling!

To all you nice people that read my column, and even those who don't, I hope all of you have wonderful holidays, and why not invite some lonely person you know to join you for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Your reward will be priceless! Don't forget the Salvation Army, my favorite group, as they are God's gift to the needy.

¢¢¢

Ralph J. Ayers of Newburyport calls himself a "local yokel."