Fifty years ago I performed and recorded, for radio, my first test drive as an automobile journalist. Last month I performed and wrote my last. During that lengthy period I've test-driven more cars than I can remember, many in glamorous locations on both sides of the Atlantic. And so, half a century after testing a Studebaker coupe on the runways of a small Northern Ontario airport (closed for the event), I test-drove a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit in Vancouver for the popular About Cars Web site. After almost nine years as an About.com tester and writer it was time to let a younger generation take over and besides, I now find classic cars more interesting. Which, no doubt, is what happens when one reaches a certain age. Not surprisingly, being a long-time VW enthusiast, I liked the 5-cylinder, 5-speed non-turbo Rabbit very much. Though this test drive is not likely to go down in the automobile history books as a defining moment, if you'd care to join me for that final ride just click here. As always, your comments will be appreciated.

[Photo: Philip Powell]