By Bob Poe, Museum member & volunteer since 2000

In 1949, I was living in Gary, Indiana working for US Steel's Gary works. At the age of 19, it was time to purchase my very first car. With $450.00 in my pocket, having no idea as to what kind of vehicle was desired, and being rather naive, I approached the used car salesman and said "I've got $450 cash...what can I get?"
Fortunately for me, the salesman didn't attempt a "rip off".  He merely waved his arm towards a line of cars and said "anything in that row".
 
Well, the first car in that row was a perfect 1948 Tucker. Since Tucker had recently gone out of business, and the interior didn't appeal to me, I passed. The second car, was a 1937 Cord convertible. The lines were attractive and the dashboard was great however, it had a stalk containing a small electric gearshift (I didn't realize that there was available a regular floor shift, so this car was also passed).
 
The third car I passed over, was a 1932 Packard sport coupe. It was absolutely too old and ungainly for someone my age. The last car, in the line was a beauty! Yes, I feel in love with a 1939 Mercury four door sedan, great lines, super dash layout...and "Frankenstein " taillights.
 
That Mercury provided great service for several years. It wasn't until becoming active in the old car hobby, that I realized....... "the error of my ways."