It’s Etched in Stone: Life lessons and driving a ‘39 Chevy

By RALPH STONE
MVI columnist

Last week I relayed a few of my memories and experiences with cars of the 1930s and 40s. Today’s story specifically recounts my days of learning to drive, obtaining my driver’s license and the adventures which followed. They were all accomplished behind the wheel of a rather ugly, black 1939 Chevy.
In addition to the several inconveniences, which were part of the typical motorist challenges, let me relay a few more details of the ’39 Chevy. To start the engine, in addition to turning the key on, you had to depress the clutch with your left foot while shifting gears into the lowest setting. Now the gear shift was not attached to the steering wheel as many of today’s standard-shift cars are, instead the ’39 gear shift came straight up from the floor of the car, making it difficult to maneuver.

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