My Life in Cars - an AUTO-biographical Tale by Umberto Tosi
Meghina Maria Pastore My granddaughter Meghina was telling me about her driving lessons on the phone the other day. She's in her twenties, taking the wheel just a little late for someone living in California, but in determined fashion. I count that as a blessing, having spent a good seventy years on the road starting at an eager age 14, learner's permit in hand, when I got to chauffeur my dad on summer business trips in his sleek, black, fifties, Oldsmobile Rocket 88. I could barely see over the genuine, polished bone-and-chrome steering wheel. "No instructors in those days. No seat belts. No air bags. No air-conditioning mostly. My father would give me a few tips, then nap in the passenger seat," I said. "Do you like your instructor?" I asked my granddaughter. "I guess so. He asked me if I was from England because I keep driving on the wrong side of the road," Meghina responded. "Yeah. Scary if you're an American driver." "Did...