The making of a "grease monkey" ................the early years

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The very first "vehicle" that I ever drove was hand-built by my father, Libero Canderan

On the left, I'm taking my sister, Maria, for a ride
On the right, cousin Patty snuggles up for a ride

 Showing off at the Masontown, PA Memorial Day Parade

....May, 1951  (I was 4 years old)

This is where I lived while growing up (apartment above gas station/store)

River Avenue, Masontown, Pa

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Pontiac 1950  "Silver Streak" 2-dr sedan  (2-tone green)

The first "real car" that I remember as a young child

1. parked in front of the "big garage"

2. parked in the lubrication bay

3. yeah, it IS a 2-tone green

4. posing with sister Maria and cousin Patty

My first bike - 1951

Plymouth  1954  Savoy Station Wagon  (dark green)

I remember countless trips to New Salem in this car

First pic is the "ever-so-significant" ........  first car wash! ...

(I'm still "hooked" to this day!)

Chevy 1952 Deluxe 2-Dr Sedan (mint green)

My grandfather's well-maintained "ride"

Pre-license years ................the enthusiasm builds

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Test Driving "The Tractor" in the back yard on River Avenue

(another of dad's projects)

Chevy  1955 Pickup Truck  (mint green)

Plymouth  1956  Station Wagon  (black/white)

"Racing" the "Go-Cart" on the parking lot of my future high school

Yeah, you guessed it ........ "dad-built"

Pontiac 1959  Catalina Station Wagon  (black and white)

This was probably the first car that qualifies as "my first love"

1. Me and dad

2.  Mom, Josephine Canderan

3.  Me and mom

Early years of "licensed" driving ...... High School Days

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Pontiac  1962  Bonneville 4-Dr Hardtop (silver gray)

Oh, what I wouldn't give to have this car today .... 

                                            was beyond "luxury" from my perspective!

The "ultimate" prom car for a naive country boy

1 and 2.  Ready to drive to Junior Prom

3.  Dressed up in the AGHS Band uniform
4. Mom posing with the "bonnie"

Ford 1962 Falcon 2-Dr Coupe  (dark blue)

Fun, sporty, and economical (many trips to Albert Gallatin High School)

Triumph   1961?   TR 3

Test-drive with fellow band member Corrine McDowell

Here begins the life-long love for sports cars

Chevy 1963  ElCamino pickup  (mint green)

Hauling with "class", 3-speed on the column

The College Years

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Kaiser 1951 2-dr coupe (medium dark brown)

"junk-yard find", good "dating car"  :)

Datsun 1964 4-dr sedan (beige)     "Hank"

Economical and "fun" ride for college transportaion

Plymouth 1967 2-Dr Hardtop  (silver)

Plymouth 1967 Barracuda 2-dr coupe (white)

"Ride" for the last year and a half at Duquesne University

and the first couple of years in Washington, DC

1. Senior year in Pittsburgh

2. Folger Apt. 2nd St., Capitol Hill DC

3. Top of the Hill Apartment

4. Assateague Island Camping Trip

5. Posing with Jan

Buying Cars on my own now

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Fiat 1971  124 Spyder  (dark blue)

The first of many "rag-top" roadsters

1. Cross-country trip in Summer 1971 (Arizona desert)

2.  Cross-country trip in Summer 1971 (California Route 1 Coastal Highway)

3.  In MD mountains with Jimmy, Roger and Greg

4. Parked in front of 530 First St., SE
5. Me all dressed up posing with my first sports car

Honda 1971  350CL motorcycle

1.  Parked at Jan's in Oxon Hill, MD

2.  En route to mountain camping trip (John B., Roger, me and Phil)
3. Me and Roger on a bike trip to New Salem, Pa

Chevy  1951  Styleline 4-Dr Sedan  "Blue Moon"

An "overly optimistic" project for me and Roger

Fiat  1974  124 Spyder

Ride into the VA countryside with Jeff C. 

Alfa Romeo  1977 Spyder Veloce

In alley and garage at 9th St., SE

Had a "LOVE/HATE" relationship with this car!

Chevy  1969  Nova  2-Dr Coupe   (medium dark blue)

Started out as "temp replacement" for the damaged Alfa

Great "find" right on my street (South Carolina Ave.)

Nissan  1984  "HARD-BODY" Pickup Truck     (beige)   "Hank 2"

Nissan  1987  Pickup Truck King Cab    (maroon)

1990  Mazda Miata

My "love at first site" car in 1989 (Pa. Ave, Capitol Hill)

(the roadsters are starting to get expensive)  

1992  Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck 4X4 ExtraCab

1996 Mazda Miata "M-Edition"

1947  Chevy  Fleetline Aerosedan

This is "BARNEY", named in honor of previous owner and childhood neighbor

2001 Toyota  Tacoma Pickup Truck 4X4 SR5 Extra Cab        

2003 BMW Z4    Sterling Gray

2007 BMW Z4     Monaco Blue

2010 Nissan Frontier Pickup Truck 4 X 4

2012 Fiat 500 Sport, Bianca Perla