We mowed grass at dad with an early 50's International cub tractor. You had to hand crank it to start it. I think I was around 12 or 13. Mowing 3 acers all summer long while not running into the collection of "stuff", trees and buildings taught me how to drive for the most part.
The first time on the road Was my brothers 52 F1. He stopped the truck and said your turn. That is the first 3 on the tree I drove.
After I was on my own and legal it was a 73 Pinto Wagon stick for about a year before I got a 76 Cutlass to drive.