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I still remember that before the 80s, the status of a truck driver was very noble and enviable. At that time, the number of domestic cars was not very large, and high-end cars such as "red flags" were even rarer, and only national leaders could ride.
For most ordinary people, they rely mainly on bicycles and public transportation to get around. However, the nature of the truck is different, it not only represents advanced and stylish, but also shows the charm and strength of the driver.
The driver of the sedan is often the leader, and the truck driver is the real king.
Before the 80s of the 20th century, truck drivers had a fairly high status in society and could be called the elite of society. They wear leather gloves, sunglasses, and leather jackets, and they have excellent driving skills, can repair cars, and can move goods, and they are really a male god.
I remember that our unit was just equipped with a few Jiefang brand trucks, and the drivers were dressed up neatly and cleanly every day, and the driver's badge on their chests was shining when they walked, and the image and momentum of our unit at that time suddenly improved a lot.
I always watched with envy as they started the vehicle, heard the rumble of the engine, and then the vehicle fluttered away as if it were going not far away.
At that time, domestically produced Yangtze River, Daqiao and other brand trucks were the main means of transportation. Although these domestic trucks are not as good as imported large trucks, Jiefang, Dongfeng and other models have become the pride of the national industry.
The drivers of these vehicles are not only highly skilled in driving, but also have excellent repair skills. Whether on the roadside or in the mountains, there is always a "life" for those old trucks.
It is for this reason that truck drivers of that era knew how to take care of their cars better than they do now, and they were more able to drive. Every meter of road they drive is soaked in love and dedication to the motherland's automobile industry.
Time flies, I have witnessed the take-off of China's automobile industry, but the truck drivers of that era still have a special status and charm in my heart.
To this day, the old-timers are still inspired by the way they drive the trucks, and they are motivated to keep going.
Speaking of old domestic trucks, the one that impresses me the most is the Yellow River JN150. The car has a powerful shape and looks imposing. However, as soon as you hit the road, you can immediately feel the lack of engine power.
I still remember driving the old Yellow River on that winding mountain road, and its speed seemed to stay at 30 miles forever, and it couldn't be added at all. The engine was deafening, and the body was shaking so hard that it made me dizzy, as if I might faint at any moment.
Because the wood grain steering wheel has no help, my old waist is really unbearable.
In the scorching summer, the old Yellow River seemed to have turned into a furnace, and the heat in the car was convective like a strong wind, as if it had scorched me instantly. As a result, I had to stop frequently and open the manual windshield to allow air to circulate.
Although this can temporarily reduce the temperature in the car, the frequent stops on the road make it impossible for me to drive for long periods of time.
What's more troublesome is that the old Yellow River often has the problem of half shaft breakage, and I have to keep spare parts on hand, just in case. Not only can my uncle not repair the car, but he can't even disassemble the gearbox, so he can only find a professional master to deal with it.
There was really a problem, and I could only stare dryly when I watched the cost of repairing the car continue to rise.
Over time, I've gotten into a modern air-conditioned truck. Whenever I think of Lao Huanghe's "enthusiasm", I still can't help but shiver. Although it has long been eliminated, it has witnessed the growth of domestic heavy-duty vehicles, and I have spent not easy years with it, so I still retain a special affection for it.
People should be self-aware, and I also know that the performance of the old Yellow River can no longer meet the needs of the new era. Accustomed to its various "tempers", I should also learn to let go and accept the renewal and change of the automobile industry.
When it comes to those good cars that I will never forget, I have to count the Isuzu TD72 in Japan. The first time I drove this car, I completed a task of pulling materials up the hill on the Qinghai-Tibet line. At that time, I was crawling up the plane in a liberation truck, and the engine was panting as if I was crying.
The Dongfeng cars driven by other old drivers couldn't keep up with the rhythm of climbing, and they made a shout that drove people crazy.
Since then, Isuzu has left the impression of "running with a smile" in my mind. No matter how steep the trail is, it always climbs with ease. Even in the most difficult sections, Isuzu only frowned slightly, and in an instant returned to a bright smile.
I never worry about driving Isuzu night hiking because it's like a happy travel companion, and as long as it's there, I'm full of confidence. Even if the cabin is not heated, all I need to do is wear a thin sweater, because Isuzu's engine runs all night at idle speed, which keeps me warm.
When I think back to Isuzu now, I can still hear the sound of its beautiful engine and the happy laughter when climbing a mountain. It was like a bosom friend, encouraging and supporting me in my most difficult times.
It was the happiest travel companion of my driving career and I will always miss it.
What impressed me with the domestic car was the Liuzhou Dongfeng EQ140. The first impression I had about this car was that the steel was very tough, and it didn't even lose the old liberation.
I took a closer look and found that this car used a domestic Liufa 6105 engine. This engine performs very well, especially on hill climbs.
I remember the first day I drove the Dongfeng Liuzhou car on the high speed, and I felt the powerful explosive power of the engine as soon as I walked together. With a slight press of the accelerator, the vehicle accelerates smoothly. Compared with the old Jiefang, the power system of Dongfeng car is more responsive, which makes people full of confidence in control.
About Liberation, the one I remember the most is the 141 model. I used to drive the old Jiefang 5th gear and Dachai 6th gear, both of which belong to the same family but have a stark contrast.
When driving the old liberation five gears, the shift is the most headache, because the model does not have a synchronizer, each shift needs to double step on the clutch, otherwise it is easy to cause the gear to be mismatched and then the wrong gear.
The long drive was very strenuous and I had cramps in my left leg. And this five-speed old Jiefang Xichai 6110 engine is very old, and the power performance is average, which often makes me feel powerless when climbing.
However, when I switched to the sixth-gear Dachai liberation, the situation changed drastically. It comes with a synchronizer that makes the shifting process smoother and eliminates the need to double press the clutch anymore. The six-speed gearbox complements the Dachai engine to greatly improve the dynamic performance, allowing the vehicle to travel smoothly even on rough mountain roads.
What makes me happy is that the fuel consumption of the Jiefang Sixth gear is very low, and the long-distance operation is effortless. It's like a strong good companion that never makes me feel alone on the road.
Now that times have changed, I still miss the driving pleasure brought to me by the liberation of Dachai. This proves the enterprising and innovative spirit of the Jiefang brand, which has completed a key transformation in the old industry.
I have a deep pride and respect for it.
In addition to the car, I miss the old days of driving a truck even more. I was a fledgling boy who had just started working as a truck driver. The veteran driver taught me all kinds of driving skills, which benefited me a lot.
I still remember that on the first day I first started on the highway, the old driver taught me a trick of "coasting in neutral and turning off the engine". This is a very challenging operation for novices. I shuddered and switched to neutral, and sure enough, the speed of the car slowed down and finally I managed to stall.
During the camping picnic at noon, the old driver passed on a secret to napping in the service area, and he told me that you must learn to sleep and wake up anytime and anywhere when driving a night train, so as to maintain sufficient energy.
I've been through some "near misses" as well. For example, driving on a mountain road in the middle of the night, a herd of deer came running over and almost knocked my car off a cliff. Luckily, I reacted quickly and quickly adjusted the steering wheel to avoid it.
There are old drivers who praise me for becoming a good driver.
In my heart, the years of driving a truck have honed me, and I have gradually grown from a novice to a veteran driver. I am deeply grateful for all the experiences that this job has brought me, which have given me a passion for driving and have honed my driving intelligence.
In the blink of an eye, I have been working in this industry for more than 40 years, from young to old, I have witnessed the changes and development of China's automotive industry. I've seen new cars emerge that have replaced generations of older cars, and I've seen many familiar brands become history.
I love my road life and I love driving a job. Whenever I step on the accelerator and hear the rumble of the engine, I still get excited, and I don't regret the choice I made when I was younger.
I hope to share my story and experience, so that those who come after me can avoid detours and become excellent professional drivers.
I would drive until one day I didn't have the strength to step on the gas, until the road in the rearview mirror stopped stretching and there was only a line that disappeared into the distance.
That's when I knew that my mission was complete and I could hand over the steering wheel to the next successor in my driving career.