BUMPER TO BUMPER

My First Car: Dan Majerle

After his stellar college play at Central Michigan University and outstanding play at the 1988 Olympics in Soeul, Korea, where he helped the U.S. take home the bronze medal, “Thunder Dan” Majerle was selected as the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 1988 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.

Dan grew up in Traverse City, Mich.  As a junior in high school, Dan got his driver’s license and drove his dad’s 1970 blue Ford pickup.

“The truck was a three-on-the-tree manual shifter that I drove, instead of my older brother, because I was the only one who could get the shifter into second gear.

“The truck was older and in pretty rough shape. The floor boards were so rusted out you could see the road through them as we drove down the highway.

“I never had a car at Central Michigan and didn’t buy my first car until after I was drafted by the Suns. That car was a brand new red Acura Legend two-door. Shortly after I got it, we had an East Coast road trip and a friend asked if he could borrow it while I was gone. When I got back, I noticed he had put 6000 miles on it in that short time.  I asked where he went to put so many miles on it, and he said ‘Oh, I was just cruising around Metro Center.’”

Today Dan, a AAA member, owns three cars: a 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL 500, a 2008 GMC Yukon XL to haul the kids around, and a high-performance 2008 Dodge Charger SRT8. 

His all-time favorite car — and one he wishes he kept — was a champagne-colored Porsche 911 Turbo with linen-colored interior. 

“The Porsche dealer had special ordered the car with that color combination for himself.  He was ready for a new car so I bought it from him. Man I loved that car.”

Does Dan have a dream car?  “Oh yeah. I would love to have the new Bentley Continental GT convertible.”

Dan, his wife and three daughters live in Phoenix. He is an avid golfer and owner of Majerle’s Sports Grill. In June, he was named an assistant coach of the Phoenix Suns.
— Jim Prueter