Teaching the Grandson, To shift a teener Options

[PanelBilly]

A friend shared an idea with me a Christmas time that stuck with me. He said that we should give the gift of a skill rather than something we buy from the store. Well, I gave my Grandson a Nintendo gift card, but I also told him I was going to teach him how to shift the 914. He’s only 14. His dad has given him some driving lessons in their truck on gravel roads while out hunting, so he was comfortable behind the wheel already.

On Christmas Day it was snowing in Seattle, so all we did was sit in the car and practice the shift pattern and pressing in the clutch. Still he was happy. Finely, this morning the weather was good and both of our schedules fit.

We did an hour of starts and stops. He was very gentle with the throttle so we didn’t have too many neck breaking events. Overall he did great and I had a blast! He even shifted into second a few times. I’m going to need to find a longer empty road for the next lesson.

He had to ask me if we could quit because his leg was tired. It’s funny, but he’s the only other person who has driven my car.

[RickS]

You were far kinder teaching on a flat on trafficked road. My dad took me out for the first time in a 67 beetle. After stalling it about 15 times finally started getting the hang of it until... we were on a busy two lane road that went up a slight rise to a stop sign onto another busy two lane road. In a sheer panic I stalled it about 20 times (he didn’t tell me to use the handbrake to keep from rolling back). Meanwhile about20 cars were impatiently waiting behind me, including a Sheriff car right behind me which I was slowly rolling back into. Hopefully they were feeling some of my pain. At one point I said, dad you drive! He responded, you will do it. Since we are not still sitting there stalling it right now...

Like the OP stated, sharing and experience or a skill is the greatest gift. My dad shared a skill, faith in my ability and above all patience.