Drive Home II: The Heritage Run

"Giddy" is the word of the day. It's the feeling you get when you slide behind the giant wheel of a 50s classic made the year you were born and lock your fingers around the shifter's silver machined Hurst T-handle. Giddy.

More about that T-handle later, but what a great start to the adventure last night. Met up with The Heritage Run Gang -- David Madeira, Ashley Bice, Valerie O'Shea, Bill Hall, Dale Wickell and Derek Klein-- in the lobby of the Boston Long Warf Marriott and donned our new America's Car Museum stadium jackets, courtesy of State Farm (Thanks Tamara and Ed!).

Then it was into the parking garage for the drive to the No Name Restaurant down by the water. As a newbie to the team, I was immediately tested with driving the 57 Chevy Nomad that sports a 327, 4-speed and what felt like a fairly high gear ratio that challenged my long forgotten clutching skills. Besides not being able to find reverse ("Push down and to the left," chirps Valerie!) I managed, and I have to say the drive was a rush like I haven't felt since the 70's.

Once at the No Name, owner Jimmy Contos hosted us for a fantastic seafood feed. Jimmy's family has owned the eatery for 99 years, and it was once the favored haunt of a younger David Madeira many decades ago. Joining us for dinner was Bob, a retired car enthusiast, who followed the Drive Home II on Facebook, saw we were going to the No Name and brought out his family (including Grandson Sawyer) for a tour of the cars and a great seafood meal. Bob had quite a background that include service in Viet Nam running a motor pool as well as working alongside a young upstart mechanic named Jay Leno at one point in his career.

All this in celebration of the American automobile--and memories that are a special part of every family's history. More to come in the days ahead thanks to the efforts of America's Automotive Trust, LeMay-America's Car Museum, the North American International Auto Show and the rest of our great sponsors.

Heading south to Rhode Island and New York today; honk if you see us coming!