102-Year-Old Woman Still Drives Her 82-Year-Old Car

[Hum]

Most classic car owners are accustomed to the unusual looks other motorists cast toward their relics on the road. But when Margaret Dunning is behind the wheel of her 1930 Packard 740 Roadster, she draws more attention than her vehicle.

Dunning, age 102, may be one of a small handful of classic-car drivers who can lay claim to the fact they're older than their vehicles.

She was born in 1910, and lives in Plymouth, Michigan, twenty years before her beloved Packard. She's been driving since she was 8 years old, and officially received her license at 12, after her father died. In an appearance at the Concours d' Elegance last month, Dunning recounted her start as an automotive aficionado.

"I'm just a farm girl, and my dad had a lot of machinery, and I adored my dad," she said. "I became familiar with the tools, because the minute I said I didn't know what I was looking for, he'd say, 'Go back to the house.'"

She owns several classic vehicles. In addition to the Packard, she includes a '66 Cadillac DeVille, a '75 Cadillac Eldorado convertible and a 1931 Model A in her collection. The one she still drives the most? Her everyday car, an '03 Cadillac DeVille. Occasionally, she still changes her own oil.

"Before old age overtook me, I could scoot under the car very nicely," she said.

source & video

[alphamale]

its a miracle or her great grand children are giving her the vision test at dmv. great story.

[soldier1st]

congrats to her. Stay young.

[Southern Patriot]

Dunning, age 102, may be one of a small handful of classic-car drivers who can lay claim to the fact they're older than their vehicles.

I really doubt that there are only a "small handful" that meet that criteria. Most of the classic car drivers I see are in their 60s or 70s, and driving cars made when they were likely in their teens or twenties.

[mollick2]

I really doubt that there are only a "small handful" that meet that criteria. Most of the classic car drivers I see are in their 60s or 70s, and driving cars made when they were likely in their teens or twenties.

The original article writer probably meant 'Antique' instead of 'Classic'.

[Southern Patriot]

The original article writer probably meant 'Antique' instead of 'Classic'.

Antique is even a more broad term than classic though. In my state, any car older than 25 years qualifies as an antique, but I doubt that many people would even begin to consider most cars made in 1987 a classic.

[Growled Member]

I'd freak to see a 102 year old woman driving a 81 year old car.

[mmjm]

LOVE IT!!!!

Go granny

[episode]

its a miracle or her great grand children are giving her the vision test at dmv. great story.

Most states you don't need to get retested... ever.

Shouldn't be that way, but it is.

[Hum]

I'd freak to see a 102 year old woman driving a 81 year old car.

Just stay off the sidewalks then. :laugh:

The original article writer probably meant 'Antique' instead of 'Classic'.

The woman is the antique. ;)

[Phouchg]

Let's see if any of today's cars work remotely that fine come 2090 (if it ever comes).

[Growled Member]

Just stay off the sidewalks then. :laugh:

I'd try to stay several miles away from her if I could. :D

[Mindovermaster Moderator]

Give a ticket to an 102 year old woman? That I have to see.

[crazzy88ss]

That's pretty awesome. My great grandma will be 102 next month, and we're having to "take away" her car this weekend because she's just now getting too old.

This woman still CHANGES HER OIL at 102!!!