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The Opel Cadet
What is it? Today it is often described as an affordable classic car. In the 60’s it was a sporty little car, affordable to most who
could afford a car. To me it is another memory of a trip to Sandy Pond.
Normally I usually drove and used my vehicle when driving to camp. I cannot remember why, but this time we took my buddy’s car. He had
a broken arm with a full cast to the elbow. It was continuous highway from Binghamton to Pulaski. He handled it fine. In Pulaski he appeared to have a
problem turning in one direction with the cast. The confining sporty car did not make it easier.
Just before we reached Route 15, I suggested he let me take the wheel. The upcoming twisting dirt road would be difficult for him. I had
seen his difficulty in Pulaski and told him so. He laughed and proceeded to show me what he could do.
He turned the wheel this way, then that, then back again. It didn’t come back. His cast kept the hand from grasping the wheel and
through barbed wire and into a field we went. I knew the area and there was a gully ahead. I told him to keep going but turn and head back towards the road.
Once again he could not turn in that direction. He stopped. We were stuck. No bangs. No bruises. (Someone’s pride may have been a little hurt.) At the time
the Opel seemed fine. (Another story)
We walked to a farmhouse with lights. I was sure it was that farmer’s fence that we had busted through. I told my friend. When the
farmer came to the door my friend asked if the farmer knew who owned the fence. He continued saying that his insurance would pay for everything and he needed
the name and address. He also needed someone with a tractor to get his Opel back on the road. To save time I will say that he gave that farmer a line that
would have made W. C. Fields climb out of his grave to hear.
When we were back on the road he made sure he had the man’s phone number so his insurance agent could get the details of the damage
and to make sure the farmer told him about pulling him back onto the road so he would get the customary towing fee.
When we were on our way I told him that that farmer was a Justice of the Peace and I hoped that his insurance really covered what he
mentioned. He told me he only had liability but that both plates were obscured with mud (one by the accident, one by him) and he wasn’t worried. He also
told me I could drive when we reached the next turn.
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