Golfer Mary McKenna and her Bambino
What was your first car? A Fiat Bambino. I bought it back in the early 1970s . . . I think it was 1973.
Why did you buy it? I had had a Honda 50 for a number of years and it was time to get four wheels.
Was it new or secondhand? It was white and only six months old. My cousin aptly named it the "sewing machine".
Did you know how to drive when you bought it? With my country upbringing I actually knew how to drive a tractor nearly before I could drive a car. When you have a Honda 50, you tend to learn how to drive the family car as quickly so you can get out of the elements. So I learned how to drive in Dad's car and actually had my full licence when I bought the Bambino.
Did you know much about cars at the time? You wouldn't really have called me mechanically minded, but I knew how to drive and how to look under the bonnet if the car stopped. I could change a wheel if necessary. But that was it.
What advice did you get when you were looking for a car? I didn't actually get advice. I just went out and bought the car. The fact that it was only six months old, in good condition, with low mileage was enough for me.
What did you pay for it? I can't actually remember - but I was working in the Bank of Ireland at the time so I was in the right place to get a loan.
What impact did running a car have on your pocket? While it obviously had an impact on the monthly outgoings, I suppose like everything else when you want it, you have to pay for it, so you will always find the money.
Was it hard to get insurance? No, unlike nowadays. I had a full licence and had been on the folk's insurance policies for some time so I had no problem.
How reliable was the car? First class - I had no trouble at all with it. I have to say I didn't over do it with long trips or speed trials. Just in and out to work and to golf.
Did it change your life? As a golfer I needed a car for my clubs and myself. I needed to have the independence and freedom to get in my morning practice on the way to work and to get to events.
Your longest trip? It was only a Bambino, so I never took it too far. I think the furthest I ever went in it was to play at Baltray, Co Louth.
Your best memory? There isn't one special moment. But I laughed at the fun I had when people saw me getting out of the Bambino. My friends wondered how myself and my golf clubs could travel so well in it. It was a comfortable little car. The boot was in the front, so I took the clubs out of the bag, put them in the boot and then folded up the bag and all was well. The fact is that, although it looked small, my little Bambino could fit two people and their clubs very comfortably.
Bad memories? Thankfully none - it never gave me trouble and I managed to keep petrol in it all the time.
How long did you keep your first car? About three years. Then I went "up market" to a Fiat 127. Again this was about six months old and a hatch back, even better for the clubs.