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I've Had Murphy for 43 Years Today

Laurie S.

Laurie S.

Well-Known Member
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My mother and I picked up my 1968 coupe 43 years ago today. The car was built on June 3rd, three days ahead of schedule so, coincidentally, the build date on the door tag is also the day I took ownership. I remember everything very clearly from that day, most notably, seeing my car sitting on the dealership floor with the shop employees walking a picket line around it. They were very gracious and allowed us to take the car. However, the dealer had to put the plates on the car himself, and when he was finished they all applauded and he took a big bow. Then, the fun ride home! I didn't have my license yet, so I had to be a passenger on that first ride. It did allow me to check everything out. It also was the only time the passenger shoulder belt was used (the driver's side never has been). Once I discovered how uncomfortable it was, I stuck it back in place.

For those interested in concours and showing a car, there were no tags on the battery, radiator, etc. The only thing in the car were the paper sleeves on the sunvisors. We didn't even have the Autolite paper mats because the dealer threw in rubber mats before we left.

:steer :steer :steer :steer :steer
 
I drove it illegally two days later. My father had been teaching me driving in a new subdivision that was being built near us. Just the roads were in place. He drove over there and then let me have a little fun. I started driver's education at my school a couple weeks later and so drove it a lot once I had my learner's permit with my mother as a passenger. Then, on my 16th birthday in November, I took my road test in the car. It only had 312 miles on it at that time. Oh yeah, I passed with flying colors. LOL
 
"Laurie S." said:
Oh yeah, I passed with flying colors.
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Oh yeah???? Well your sig pic tells a different story....Seems Murphy kicked you out and is rolling over you. :roll :roll :yah
 
Here's the earliest picture I've found of Murphy. Someday, I'll have to look at the old home movies and see if there's something earlier. This was taken in August 1969. You can see the Spitler-Demmer license plate frame on the car. I threw it away later on, but was very lucky to get touch with William Demmer a couple of years ago and he sent me another identical one his brother had in his collection, plus two others from other time periods. William is the son of the dealer who put the plates on the car originally. He contacted me after an article appeared in Mustang Times about my coupe. It turned out he was the one who prepped my car due to the wildcat strike.

Coupe68.jpg
 
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Congrats Laurie! Jeeze, I thought I was doing good with my 68 Cougar at 34 years....... BTW, what a cutie on the Tbird! :)
 
"whisperer" said:
Congrats Laurie! Jeeze, I thought I was doing good with my 68 Cougar at 34 years....... BTW, what a cutie on the Tbird! :)
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Nice hood ornament!

Hal, I have not heard from you for a long time (and on the other forum). Glad to see you're haning at the 'fix!
 
"Laurie S." said:
It also was the only time the passenger shoulder belt was used (the driver's side never has been). Once I discovered how uncomfortable it was, I stuck it back in place.
Click to expand...

Happy pick-up day. :roll

I can agree with your shoulder belt assessment, I am sure that I did not use the shoulder belt more than twice on my GT/CS. Not so much that it was uncomfortable, just restricted the drivers movement too much. I think that I could shift out of park, but the e-brake was out of reach. :roul

fd
 
It's so hot here today (105 degrees) that I'm afraid to take the car out. The tires might melt! Otherwise, I'd go for a ride.
 
How can this possibly be, when I know for a fact you're only 34 years old.
 
I think we should have a new, comparison picture......Midlife should have one stashed somewhere he can post......
 
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