1964 MGB for me. On sub-zero days, my dad had me back it up and down the driveway to warm it up. The driveway was steep and long. By the time I was old enough to drive it on the road, I was quite skilled with a clutch.
My favorite was a ‘67 dodge van with a three on the tree. The linkage was loose and would bind up. I had to get out and yank on the linkage through the grill to get it free.
Now I have an ‘05 MR2 Spyder with five on the floor and a rear engine. Getting in and out is a skill.
Your dad had BALLS if there was a house or garage in front of that driveway.
We have a 2002 MR2 Spyder, lots of fun, not so good for longer trips. For that, there’s the 2006 Nissan Sentra, 5-speed manual. The pickup is an automatic, though, and I’ll always kick myself for not getting a manual when I bought it new back in 2007. At that time I didn’t know they would quit making manual-transmission pickups, nor that I’d be keeping it forever. Oh, well.
I’ve driven and preferred stick shifts since my first car, a 1966 Beetle bought in 1974.