When I was about 10 years old in the early 1990s, a school buddy of my dad's bought an original, one-owner 1968 H.O. GTO. This is where I got the bug. Every time we had a family get-together, I would ask my dad to ask Uncle Matt if he would be bring the GTO.

The weekend I turned 16 he came out to my house, threw me the keys, and said, "Have fun but be careful." He knew exactly what I was going to go do. I made it back in one piece, couldn't say as much for the rear tires. I gave him the keys back with a smile from ear to ear.

About three years ago, age 29, I come across an original, Verdoro Green 1968 GTO on eBay. I called, talked to the guy, and set up a time to look at it. I went right to my bank and took out a loan.

The car was built in Fremont, California, and was sold new in Oakland, a half-hour away, to a husband and wife. They moved to San Leandro, 15 minutes away, and it didn't leave their hands for the next 35 years or so. The gentleman I bought it from didn't know a lot about it, actually. He bought it because he had one when he was in high school.

Here's where it gets cool. The only paperwork he has are its Pontiac Historic Services documents and receipts for work he has had done. I ask about the Protect-O-Plate, but he says he doesn't know what that is. After little talk, I buy it.

He had a new interior kit and a box with some papers in it. I drive it home, clicking the clock over to 63,000 original miles. Once home I go through the box, and inside I find everything a car guy could want. A full paper trail of history. I have insurance cards, receipts from work done, even a ticket dated December 1970 from the Highway Patrol. And yes, there was the plastic Protect-O-Plate.

The car doesn't have many options, but it is a survivor with one repaint years ago. It still has the same interior, full numbers-matching drivetrain, and original black and yellow plates with the dealership license plate frames still on the car. Everything on the car works. I have put about 3,000 miles on her, taking two trips to Hot August Nights and numerous car shows.

I am now 32 years old and love every minute I spend in her. I am going to keep her as original as I possibly can and hope to one day have kids of my own to pass it onto.