Heh - When I was your age, I had a 1966 Mercury Comet that was a similar hand-me-down. Except the original purchase price when my dad bought it used was $300, and it just got given to the next in line over the years. By the time our family was though with it, if finally ended up with one of my brother's girlfriends. A 289 V8 and a C-4 transmission - the thing was spartan, but it was a cockroach... you just couldn't kill it.

I spent a few summers sweating to death in that thing, and swore to myself that I would never drive something that ratty again if I could afford not to. Even so, I had some pretty good adventures with it. Seminal, you might say.

I drive something a tad bit nicer now, but I'll never forget that car as long as I live. I think I have some pics somewhere.... I scan one if I can find it.