My Father’s New Car

Memories from Uxbridge in 1955 – a green Chevrolet Bel Air, the Everly Brothers and the Williamson’s.

I don’t recall much about the cars that my family owned when I was very young – except for a car seat that my parents used for me or my sister. It was one of those early ones that just hooked over the front seat and had a plastic steering wheel placed right where it could do the most damage in an accident. The car seat itself was so flimsy it probably would have collapsed if any force was put on it.

However, in 1955 my family made a big purchase – a brand new Chevrolet. It must have made a strong impression on me because I clearly remember the fuss we made about the two-toned green beauty sitting in front of our old house on Marietta Street in Uxbridge. It looked just like the one in the photo above except that I don’t think it had white wall tires.

My father was quite excited about the car which was unusual since he hadn’t seemed that interested in any of our previous vehicles. I think our financial situation must have improved at the time, allowing us the luxury of buying a brand new automobile, and this made him happy. It was probably the first new car he had ever owned. Our interest in family trips in the car certainly increased during that time.

On Sundays we would travel to a variety of locations in southern Ontario; my father became a lay pastor during that time and filled in as the minister at services for a number of different churches.

We would head out early in the morning to arrive in time for the service; my father would preach and then we would get back in the car to head home, stopping at a restaurant on the way for lunch.

I have a particularly strong recollection of having lunch near Hamilton one Sunday. There was music playing; perhaps someone had put a quarter in one of those jukeboxes that were prevalent then. I vividly recall the song – the Everly Brothers were singing “Wake Up Little Susie” which had just become a big hit. It was 1957 and my first experience with pop music.

Williamson Motors

Our car was likely purchased at Williamson Motors located in downtown Uxbridge. They were the only Chevrolet dealer in town and it makes sense that my father would have purchased the car locally. I have a memory of being in the showroom of the garage looking at the cars; so perhaps I was there when the purchase was made.

This is what the garage looked like in the 1950’s. It was operated by the Williamson brothers, Alex and Peter, who were prominent in Uxbridge life at the time.

But the Williamson name stirs up another, more personal, memory for me – my first crush on a boy. I can’t even recall his name now, but I do know he was the son of Alex Williamson. He was in my class at school and it was likely in Grade 4 that he caught my attention. I remember the attraction I felt and my blossoming interest in what he was doing. Would he be at the garage when I walked by?

The memory is bittersweet because our budding relationship (if you can call it that) was cut short. Alas, my family moved away from Uxbridge in October 1957, my Grade 5 year. Ah, the heartbreak of a romance ending far too soon! I wonder where he is today…..