It was awesome. IIRC, he paid $300 to a neighbor who had it parked for about 20 years as he was getting too old to drive it. I almost bought it off him, after learning a bit about replacement parts and such decided I didn’t want to buy an antique, not at 17. Had my first date in that car, too.
But what do I know, I bought a 1992 FMV M1038 HMWVV 6 years ago, I take it out and play with it about a dozen times a year, fix another leaking seal, take it out, change a thermostat, take it out, change window seals, rebuilt/replaces canvas doors for X-doors (SO much quieter), have a complete red dot AC unit in my shed ready to install when I get it moved to TN where I have space to work on it.
Drive it? On the highway? It’s like entering the earth’s atmosphere in a space shuttle.
I replaced the transfer case 5 years ago, dropped it onto my lap/chest and rolled it off onto a creeper, reversed the operation to replace. Has amazing ground clearance.
Lots of fun. Both my kids have driven it. Wife won’t even ride in it. Just me and my dog (GSD Hudson Shepherd on fakebook).
Interesting. Usually the only cars that “old” being used regularly were hot rodders. Stock is pretty rare actually!
If his car was hardly used most of its life it’s easy to imagine just picking it up as a driver. Very nice.
Closest I got to “old” for myself was a ‘60s Dart, in the late ‘80s. Also looked at a ‘57 Dodge more for fun than regular but it could’ve been.
As it is I just sold my Monte Carlowhich will be 20 this next year. Sad but had to be.