[Hal Copple]

have had the pleasure of riding or driving in many cars since the early '60's. Went to Gerrmany in fall, '69, with my brand new Dodge Charger R/T with the 375 hp 440 ci motor. Europe was still in recovery from the war, so there were very few big cars on the road, unless driven by an American soldier. mostly small VW's, with the odd Messerschmidt or Isetta trundling along.

So when i would go thru the small hamlets in my big thumping Dodge, it would really bring out the locals. I would cruise all day at about 95 mph, getting about 6 mpg, from mid-germany down to Austria.

How serene, as long as i did not try to go much over 100 mph, as the car would not make one complete stop from that speed, due to brake fade.

If i could bring back one of my many cars, it would be that Charger. Sold it to a soldier who went off the road in it. Traveled on 18 cent a gallon Quartermaster gas.

The good times always seem so carefree in one's memory. Then i was posted to the Delta as an Infantry captain for 366 days. Come to think of it, would sometimes travel by Jeep, with my trusty M3 smg by my side. Or the K, or the MAS, the XM, or the KAR, or even the PPSH, when you are an advisor you have a choice of just about anything.