25 years ago today, November 4 1985

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

25 years ago today, November 4 1985

Elroy · Poncho Master!

Cool story Carl. I quit working for GM as a partsmanager back in 86. Funny how life spins so fast !

67rag396 · Poncho Master!

It can be strange how we make our life changes.
Right now I am watching my 2 daughters making their first "adult" decisions.
They have both lived at "home" until now. Eldest (26) moved out last month and youngest (23) is looking for a place right now. At 18, I moved 2,300 miles away from "home".

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

My boss never keeps track of dates. I am afraid I can't help it, I just do. I can tell you far more important dates in my/our life than my wife can ever come close to.

When I told my boss today it was 25 years ago, his eyes almost popped out! He and I are virtually the same age (within 2 months).

The sweetest part was when he shook my hand and congratulated me. It was so sincere, it made me feel like a million bucks.

You 'all can let me know when you get tired of me bragging about what a great guy he is!!!

I marvel at the changes in GM parts stuff over the 25 years.

Do you remember the original DCS computer setup Elroy? My first two days at my new job were in Winnipeg at GM training on that thing. The old green computer screen, about a 2 minute time frame to dial up GM and check stock on a part number................ Then it timed out and kicked you out after about 90 seconds I think it was.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

67rag396 wrote:

It can be strange how we make our life changes.
Right now I am watching my 2 daughters making their first "adult" decisions.
They have both lived at "home" until now. Eldest (26) moved out last month and youngest (23) is looking for a place right now. At 18, I moved 2,300 miles away from "home".

I had just turned 28 and was single. I hadn't had a serious girlfriend for about 2 years, and thought maybe God would have a wife for me at a new job, in a new place. I had no idea she was going to work right beside me for the next 25 years at work!!!

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Hey that is cool to hear and we never hear enough about good bosses. I also like the warm reception you got when you started. Time does fly so live each day to its fullest. Congrats.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I still often hear the "I could never work every day with my wife" comment.

That amazes me. I can't imagine not working at the same place....

And I have to treat her like gold at work. She does the payroll so she makes my paycheque!!!

455gto · Poncho Master!

So your 25th wedding anniversary should be coming up soon wink

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

That's pretty cool Carl. Great story!
When I first started in parts at Dennison Chev Olds in Richmond, we used parts books and microfiche, and just ordered parts. Then we'd find out if they came or were back ordered.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Year and a half to go I guess for my 25th, yup.

It also just occurred to me:

On that date 25 years ago, I had---

1966 Nova SS 327 4 speed, 3.73, red/fawn interior (fun car)

1966 Grande Parisienne, 427/TH400 Air, tilt, every power option, tach, AM/FM etc etc etc

1970 Skylark convert, air, pw, tilt, AM/FM, with all parts to make it a GS455 clone

1966 Grande Parisienne 427, factory 4 speed, tilt AM/FM, reverb, power windows, seat, trunk, antenna etc. etc, etc,

1965 Canso Sport Deluxe 43,000 miles, bought from original owner

And a host of parts and cars.................

Out of all that, I still own the Canso.....................

Hmmmmmmmm confuse

Just kidding, I wouldn't trade back to that life for anything!!!

-- Edited by Carl Stevenson on Friday 5th of November 2010 12:09:53 AM

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

StriperSS wrote:

That's pretty cool Carl. Great story!
When I first started in parts at Dennison Chev Olds in Richmond, we used parts books and microfiche, and just ordered parts. Then we'd find out if they came or were back ordered.

Oh those microfiche parts lookup cards...........................

I remember threatening to quit if we didn't get a computer! From 93-96 that's all I had for the cars made in those 4 years.... WHAT A PAIN!!!

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Congrats Carl!

It is funny how lives change direction/s.
I grew up in small town Ontario (Cobourg, the home of Steve and Fred).
I went to Toronto for school, and then stayed there for 25+ years.
After "playing the field" until the age of 44, I met an "Islander" who had also lived in Toronto 25+ years but vacationed on her home soil, PEI, in the Summer. I got married at 45, and we both relocated to rural PEI ... we don't even remember making the decision to live here, but we don't regret it.

Congratulations once again, Darryl.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Thanks Darryl.

That also is a very cool story. At one time the trend was move off the farm to the big city but I sure see/hear a lot of the reverse that last while.

57poncho · Uber Guru

Good stuff Carl I only wish I could say my boss was half as good as your. He is constantly telling me I don't do enough and I don't do things well. He is a real prick and I have to see him every day when I look in the mirror.

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

It sure is funny where you end up. I asked my wife the other day as we were driving to work in here if, when she was a little girl going to Catholic school in Gueph, she ever dreamed that someday she'd be living in Northern Alberta, driving to work in a small town in an old pickup truck (my avatar truck) married to a short balding redneck.

I had to to actually hold her so she didn't hurl herself out of the truck as she was saying something about a nightmare and she was going to wake herself up!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

57poncho wrote:

Good stuff Carl I only wish I could say my boss was half as good as your. He is constantly telling me I don't do enough and I don't do things well. He is a real prick and I have to see him every day when I look in the mirror.

Next time you see him, punch him in the face and I bet you'll get the day off!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

66 Grande guy wrote:

It sure is funny where you end up. I asked my wife the other day as we were driving to work in here if, when she was a little girl going to Catholic school in Gueph, she ever dreamed that someday she'd be living in Northern Alberta, driving to work in a small town in an old pickup truck (my avatar truck) married to a short balding redneck.

I had to to actually hold her so she didn't hurl herself out of the truck as she was saying something about a nightmare and she was going to wake herself up!

That's why there's a seat belt law...

rabbit64cs · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

good for you Carl,, that is an amazing achievement is todays work place !!

I believe in Karma ... your story is yet another reason to believe...

I took the Job up north, in Spring it will 15 years since I went to fly in job- week in week out , AWAY from home. It's a lifestyle and trade off, I spend 6 weeks home in the summer with my family, the rest of the year is routine !

The thing about my job ,, is I could live anywhere, yet I chose to come home to where I grew up ( sort of..LOL ) My wife on the other hand...born and raised here, had NO desire to move back to Prince Albert....

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

Congrats Carl. With a woderfull place to work like that and a wonderfull wife at work , I can see why you would be in no hurry to retire. Good for you

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

So you both work at the same store?

Does she leave early, to get home, to get supper ready?

If she is there all day, who do you tell your troubles to at night?

67custom · Guru

Congrats man, it's always fun working for a good boss, especially when they let you do your thing and make both you and them a little coin, 38 years in Jan 2011 and yes seen a lot of changes from monthly stock order on old GMP76 to Telex ticker tape (when it broke you started all over again) to bi-weekly stock order to weekly stock order on computor to daily stock oeder instantly to now being controlled by RIM, it's been quite a journey hasn't it but lots of fun,.
Keep doing what you like. it's a blast and even better for you doing it with the one you love

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

427carl wrote:

So you both work at the same store?

Does she leave early, to get home, to get supper ready?

If she is there all day, who do you tell your troubles to at night?

We work literally side by side, about 2 feet apart when I am at my laptop doing paperwork. I spend likely 50% of my day there, other 50% is all over but some of it at the counter, which I love the most.

I go in early and open the place in the morning, she works part time (all over the place as far as hours, very flexible) and she usually gets home before the kids are off the bus. It's an excellent setup. 27 years + for her there.

I tell all my troubles to you guys Carl.......... biggrin

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

67custom wrote:

Congrats man, it's always fun working for a good boss, especially when they let you do your thing and make both you and them a little coin, 38 years in Jan 2011 and yes seen a lot of changes from monthly stock order on old GMP76 to Telex ticker tape (when it broke you started all over again) to bi-weekly stock order to weekly stock order on computor to daily stock oeder instantly to now being controlled by RIM, it's been quite a journey hasn't it but lots of fun,.
Keep doing what you like. it's a blast and even better for you doing it with the one you love

Hahaha, spoken by someone who has obviously been there!!!

Oh, how many times I rolled my chair over that stupid telex tape and had to start again..........

And as for RIM, it has it's good points but I still preferred the old way. Luckily, we are no longer a dealership so I just order my GM parts from a local dealership.