Rather than argue with the school, his pop suggested parking a few blocks away from campus as a compromise.

"Mustangs were real popular at Harding, but in my price range, anything that would run was more like it," he said.

"My wife and I like to drive Old Yeller on Sundays, but it's really the most dependable car we have," O'Dea said. It sees service when their daily drivers go in the shop.

The Bel Air looks like she just came off the showroom floor. Both the O'Deas' adult children, a son and daughter, drove the Chevy away from the churches they were married in. One time O'Dea surprised and delighted a young neighbor couple by loaning it to them for display at their church's car show.

"I'd never part with this car. It's staying right here in our garage," O'Dea said.

There's a sign by Old Yeller's stall bearing the familiar Chevrolet bowtie that states, "Terry's Garage parking only, all others will be towed." He keeps a thick, fitted cover in the Chevy's trunk in case a hailstorm comes up when they're at car shows.

"Old Yeller's like part of the family," he said.

Have you seen a cool car around Norman ? Writer Doug Hill's always on the lookout for future Dig My Ride columns. E-mail him at Hillreviews@hotmail.com.