Question of the Day: What was the first import car you experienced?

1978 datsun 620 king cab, somewhere around 2000ish. Only after driving a newer car did I realize a clutch doesn’t normally sit 1” from the floorboard.

When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Simca (Aronde?) from somebody they thought was a friend. It was nothing but trouble. Parts had to come from France. That POS was the source of ongoing turmoil until it disappeared one day, and life went on without it.

My first import was a 1951 Bentley Mark VI. I imported it from England for a total price of $1350. It was really beautifully kept and I drive it once in awhile, then sold it for $4500.

My first import was a Triumph TR3. Great sporty car with a lot of pep and personality. Drove it for almost 4 years and which I still had it.

Fiat 124 sport coupe. Wish I still had it. Gave it up for a van, family issues. Miss it to this day. A great sporty sedan.

1965 Jaguar XKE; still wish I had it…cost $2,100 then .. bought it used from a private party in Livorno Italy in 1967.

My first import was as a teen, and it was a 1963 Hillman Super Minx station wagon. It was red. I bought it from a friend of mine, who found it somewhere in the “hollers” (boonies – valleys/woods/Netherlands) of southwest Ohio, just past our home south of Dayton/Kettering. It was worn out when I got it…It did everything at its own pace. I learned to start it, its quirks and oddities……and was able to turn it into a fairly reliable point A to B vehicle. It was used to and from home/school/work…and the beer delivery vehicle at parties in the woods of Hills & Dales Park. Dates with the girlfriend? Hell no!……I’d borrow my brother – in – laws Camaro. The Hillman finally “died”…… and British & European Imports of Fairborn, Ohio took it in trade for me having one of their Lotus Europa’s for a 6 day drive. I never abused the Europa…but I did run the twist and- turn up and down roads of southern southwest Ohio and the Europa (and I) enjoyed the hell out of it ! (This was late 1960’s……….)

My first Imported car was a 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible. I also enjoyed a 1998 Camaro Convertible and still have a 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible. My last import was a Pontiac G8GT. My wife and I also enjoy her Chevrolet Equinox.

My first experience with a foreign car was when I was a senior in high school. A friend took me for a ride in his new 1959 Karmann Ghia. Later that year I drove the 1959 triumph TR3. I thought they were both kind of neat, but I was still into my big American V8, specifically my 1957 Oldsmobile. Later that same year, another friend took me for a wild ride in his MG TD. I was very impressed. But then I got a really hopped up Chevrolet that was very fast, but I spent more time working on it then I was driving it. I did win a lot of trophies with it. And finally my first foreign car, an Austin Healy 3000.

1969 MGC fire engine Red loved this car so did the ladies