Young drivers learn stick shift in classic cars in Dearborn

THe Detroit News: Young drivers learn stick shift in classic cars in Dearborn
Dearborn— Sixteen-year-old Nathan Goocher received a crash course in driving a manual transmission Friday — something he had done only in video games before.

The Riverview resident was among 35 drivers ages 16 to 20 who learned the intricacies of shifting while driving and motoring in vintage cars, thanks to the inaugural Hagerty Driving Experience at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn.

Hagerty Insurance Agency LLC, a Traverse City-based insurer of vintage and collector cars, had good reason to teach young drivers about manual transmissions.

Roughly 90 percent of new cars are equipped with an automatic transmission, so many young drivers never have the opportunity to drive a manual, the company said.

Friday also happened to be Collector Car Appreciation Day, a fitting time to instill a love of classic cars in the young.

"People of all ages like old cars, but not everyone gets to drive one, so here's their chance to drive an old car," said Jonathan Klinger, a Hagerty spokesman.

Friday's lessons began with a quick classroom explanation of the gear shifter and that funny left pedal. Then students split into two groups. While one group drove classic and modern cars, from a 1928 Packard Phaeton to a 2011 Ford Mustang GT Coupe, the other learned basic car maintenance.

Glynette and Barry Wolk, of Farmington Hills, provided their 1955 Porsche 356 Cabriolet.

"I remember being this age, and I remember being so excited about old cars," said Glynette Wolk, whose love of cars began as a teenager.

"I'm just excited to give other people this chance."

Although the thought of teens driving the Porsche gave her some pause, she found them very respectful.

The test drives were tailored mainly to novices, but Hagerty also kept experienced teens on their toes.

For instance, the 1940 Buick Super Convertible had the gear shifter on the steering column instead of the floor.

"It was interesting because I was never familiar with the three-on-the-tree shift pattern," said Quinn Culbertson, 17, of Farmington Hills.

Other old car intricacies include a stiffer clutch, less-than-accurate gear shifter and a tighter steering wheel, but the biggest difference, Klinger said, is the lack of modern electronic functions like antilock brakes and stability control.

"The old car is going to do exactly what you tell it to do," he said.

For those who preferred electronic assistance, or simply admired the modern design, there were more recent manual transmissions available.

Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, provided his 2011 Camaro SS Convertible.

He knows that a lot of people really enjoy driving manuals, so he wanted to help teens conquer the clutch.

"Getting over the hump is sometimes a little challenging," he said.