My First Car

Everyone remembers their first car.  Having your own car is a milestone on the way to adulthood, welcoming you to the freedom of the open road. We asked some of our staff members to tell us about their first vehicles:

Jared (left) and Jacob Puls with their 2000 Mercury Sable, Christmas 2008

Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque, IL
Jacob Puls: 2000 Mercury Sable, a gift for him and his twin brother Jared from their parents on Christmas Day 2008.
John Riley: A blue 1976 Mercury Capri
Tim Runde: 1970 Chevy Chevelle. “It was beige with a dark brown top. It was a retired undercover cop car so it had a performance engine and a certified calibration speedometer. They called them ‘sleepers’ – it looked like it wasn’t anything, but it could smoke you.”
Geoff Barklow: 1976 red four-door Chevy Chevette. “I put an awesome stereo in it,” he said. “That was a chick magnet.”
Brent Phillips: White 1984 Pontiac Parisienne with a navy blue interior
Molly Wernimont: 1992 Chevy Cavalier

Tressa Miller’s 1981 Monte Carlo

Runde PreDriven in Hazel Green, WI
Donavon Nelson: Red 1978 Chevy Bonneville “I saved money to buy a ‘68 Camaro and my dad said I was buying my mom’s car so she could use my money as a down payment on her Fiero.”
Tressa Miller: A silver 1981 Chevy Monte Carlo. “I still own it. It runs, but it’s been sitting since 1996 so it needs an overhaul. My husband is going to work on it this winter so I can drive it.”
Jeff Runde’s first car: Blue 1976 Chevy Chevette

Jason Zuck’s 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville, WI
Mariah Booth: A teal Chevy Cavalier. “It was a family car we all shared. I totaled it when I got T-boned.”
Eric Schmitt: A red 1987 Chevy S-10
Blake Womack: White 1994 Chevy Corsica with red interior. “I had about 50 cars before I turned 18 and I haven’t slowed down since.”

Aaron Young with his 1976 Camaro

Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester, IA
Michelle Recker: Yellow 1970 Ford Grande
Aaron Young: 1976 Chevy Camaro. “My parents laughed when the first winter came around. I had to get snow tires for it. It was a good learning experience.”
Taylor Whittle’s first car: 1995 Chevy Cavalier