[factoryrat]

My first real job at age 16 was working the parts counter at an auto parts store. This was before computers became prevalent, and you had racks of parts catalogs that you relied on to find what the customer wanted. I learned how to look up parts, and about different makes and models, by reading J.C. Whitney catalogs from cover to cover. Working part time at a salvage yard, and having access to Hollander manuals helped also. I still can remember part numbers and what parts would cross with what models even now.

[Impala64ssa]

My first real job at age 16 was working the parts counter at an auto parts store.
I worked at a parts store back way back when also. I remember going through those books chasing down parts for the customers. Speaking of old VWs, one of our regular customers converted his garage and back yard into a small repair business, he was the local go-to guy when it came to German cars. I only knew him by his nickname, Sputnik. We called him that because years earlier he his wife and then newborn son escaped from E. Berlin with only the clothes on their back and whatever money they had. If communism is such a great thing, why was that damn wall built in the first place? To keep the Mexicans out?

[Rodamala]

I still can remember part numbers and what parts would cross with what models even now.

I used to be able to remember part numbers too... for locomotives when I worked on the railroad... but what's happened is my mind has been crammed to capacity with endless online account usernames and passwords and so these days I am lucky if I can remember what I ate for breakfast.

Memory is the second thing to go...