Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, racism, gender discrimination, and cursing.

Dennis Guilder narrates the Prologue. Dennis states that the book is about a love triangle between his friend Arnie, Leigh Cabot (a new girl), and Christine (a car). Before Arnie falls in love with Leigh, he’s in love with Christine. A sarcastic but sincere high school senior, Dennis is Arnold (“Arnie”) Cunningham’s best friend. Unlike Dennis, Arnie is an outcast. He doesn’t fit in with any of the high school cliques, and he has acne. High school would be much worse for Arnie if he didn’t have Dennis, who is popular and is on the football team. Dennis points out Arnie’s positive traits: He has a sense of humor, knew about poker and chess before anybody else, and is great with cars.

As in the Prologue, Dennis continues to narrate in Chapter 1 and all of Part 1. It’s the summer of 1978, and Arnie and Dennis have summer jobs working on a highway project. On their way home from work, Arnie spots a red 1958 Plymouth Fury. The car and engine are severely dilapidated, but Arnie wants to buy it.