Freedom on Four Wheels: My First Car and Life in the 70s
We were all just hippies—long hairs, as folks would call us back then. Life was simple, chaotic, and beautiful all at once. Where we lived, we were infamous for our looks and laid-back lifestyle. I still remember the day we picked up the local paper and read an article warning people to stay away from a group of “dangerous guys.”
Our first reaction? “Hey man, did you hear there are some dangerous guys apparently living around here?” At first, we were concerned, not realizing they were actually talking about us. WTF! We were the chillest hippies you could ever meet. But because of how we looked—long hair, patched-up jeans, and that carefree vibe—they assumed the worst.
It reminded me of that song “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band, a Canadian rock group from Ottawa. You know the line:
"And the sign said, 'Long-haired freaky people need not apply.'”
That song captured the spirit of the time—protesting discrimination, exclusion, and judgment based on appearances.
In my late teens, I was from a place called Vanier, which had a bad reputation. Vanier was the kind of neighborhood where you had to show no fear—if you did, it would bite you. The saying from other areas of Ottawa was that you could go to Vanier, but Vanier would decide how you leave it. 😂
Leaving Home at 16
At just 16 years old, I left home and began carving out my own path. It was a bold move, but one that gave me the freedom to explore life on my terms. My first car, a green Dart GT convertible, became more than just a vehicle—it was my ticket to independence.
The 365 Permit Process
Back in the 1970s in Ontario, getting your 365 Permit was a straightforward rite of passage:
You had to be at least 16 years old.
Pass a written test on road signs and traffic laws.
Receive your 365 Permit, which allowed you to practice driving for up to a year.
Drive only with a fully licensed driver in the car until you passed your road test.
For me, the process was quick, and within no time, I was cruising in my Dart GT. Later, at 17, I even applied for a chauffeur’s license, which opened up job opportunities like delivery driving and light trucking.
The $25 Government Insurance
I still remember the incredible deal of government auto insurance—just $25 a year! It was basic coverage for liability and some accident costs, but it was enough for a young driver like me. This was long before private insurance became mandatory and took over the system.
Cruising and Classic Rock
There was nothing like tripping around in my car, trying to get a date, and blasting tunes from the best bands of the time. My soundtrack included:
Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven,” “Whole Lotta Love”
The Rolling Stones – “Angie,” “Brown Sugar”
Pink Floyd – “Comfortably Numb,” “Another Brick in the Wall”
The Who – “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
Aerosmith – “Dream On,” “Sweet Emotion”
Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Free Bird,” “Sweet Home Alabama”
And then there were the concerts. These were the bands we went to see back in the 70s. Mind you, we were pretty high, so what I remember isn’t much. 😂 This is only to mention a few bands:
Led Zeppelin – Performed at the Ottawa Civic Centre delivering a memorable concert to approximately 8,000 fans.
Queen – Played at the Ottawa Civic Centre during their Day at the Races Tour.
Bob Marley and the Wailers – Brought reggae rhythms to the Ottawa Civic Centre.
The Who – Performed in Ottawa at the Ottawa Civic Centre.
Grand Funk Railroad – Played at the Ottawa Civic Centre, sharing the stage with Bloodrock.
Man, those were good times. We’d often trip to Yorkville in Toronto, where all the hippies were hanging out. We’d pile into my car with just enough coin—bread—to get there, knowing that once we arrived, the hippies in Yorkville, seeing that we were all family, would share what they had. We’d always find a place to crash, food to eat, and of course, some party favors. 😂 And if needed, we’d panhandle for some cash. It was a vibe—music, art, and people just living in the moment.
That’s also where I learned and started meditation and yoga, which at the time was seen as a hippy cult thing and was looked down upon by the "Straight Folk." 😂 Nowadays, everything is about mindfulness, which I think is a good thing—as long as the intent is done in good taste and it’s truly to help others, not to take advantage.
Working at Manpower
To keep the car running and fund my lifestyle, I worked at Manpower. You’d check in early—around 5:30 or 6 a.m.—to snag the better jobs. Once assigned, you’d head to the job site and get paid cash at the end of the week, neatly tucked into a little brown envelope.
The cash went a long way back then:
Gas was only $0.30 to $0.40 per gallon.
A “nickel bag” of weed or hash, or even a hit of LSD, was affordable.
A pack of cigarettes rounded off the essentials.
With that, you were set to party, have fun, and pay your share of the rent for what we called our pad.
A Word on Psychedelics
Now, about the LSD—at the time, many of us, myself included, were exploring psychedelics as a way to go deeper into consciousness. I want to be clear that I’m not suggesting or endorsing that anyone should experiment with drugs of any sort. That’s a deeply personal decision, and at the time, it was my decision and mine alone.
I don’t regret any of it. What happened during those experiences is something I may share, but I can say that for me, it was all good. However, I also saw many people who didn’t have favorable experiences, and that’s something worth acknowledging. Psychedelics, like anything else, come with risks, and not everyone’s journey will be the same.
Life at the Pad
Our pad was a shared crash space where a group of us long-haired friends lived together. Rent was split, and the vibe was all about chilling and enjoying life. When work at Manpower wasn’t available—sometimes because we showed up too late—we’d head to the Ottawa Byward Market to panhandle for some cash, or as we called it, “bread.”
Evenings were spent hanging out along the canal, and on some nights, we’d crash there and sleep under the stars. We didn’t have much, but we had each other, some bread in our jeans, and the freedom to live life on our terms. It was groovy. 😂
The Impact on My Parents
Leaving home at 16 and tripping around must have been incredibly hard on my parents. Although they are no longer with me, I think of them daily. We were very close and spent a lot of time together when I was older.
We had so much fun reminiscing, and we even spoke about my younger days. They admitted it was tough on them, but it was a part of my life, and we all moved forward. Believe me, I leaned on their support countless times—not just during those chaotic years, but even later in life.
They were my biggest fans, always cheering me on. I loved them deeply and appreciated everything they did for me.
But amid all this, there was one experience that changed my life.
Although, as my previous blogs have said, I was always spiritual, this moment took me on a deeper path.
I distinctly remember the day everything shifted. I was working a job through Manpower when I noticed a hippie guy sitting nearby. I watched him for days until I finally decided to talk to him.
What he told me changed my life and set me on a deeper spiritual path.
Conclusion
Looking back, those years were wild, carefree, and full of lessons. They shaped who I am today and taught me the value of independence, resilience, and connection. While the lifestyle was chaotic at times, it gave me memories that I’ll carry forever. But eventually, I knew I couldn’t keep living that way forever. I knew I had to settle down or I’d probably die.
FAQs
1. What was the 365 Permit, and how was it different from today’s licensing process?
The 365 Permit was a learner’s driving permit in Ontario during the 1970s. It allowed you to practice driving with a fully licensed driver for up to one year. Unlike today’s graduated licensing system, you could quickly move from the 365 Permit to a full license after passing a road test.
2. Why did you apply for a chauffeur’s license at 17?
The chauffeur’s license opened up job opportunities like taxi driving, delivery services, or light trucking. For a young driver, it was a great way to earn money and gain independence.
3. What was Yorkville like in the 1970s?
Yorkville in Toronto was a hub for hippies, music, and art. It was a place where everyone shared what they had, whether it was food, a place to crash, or party favors. It felt like a family, and it was the perfect escape for young people like us.
