I remember when I thought a 172 was a big airplane. Now I think its boring and I don't get bored. Much rather fly my son's nice 170B than a 172.
I also remember checking myself out in a taildragger. It was a Citabria, and before one needed an endorsement. Later that day I gave dual in it to a fellow instructor. The good old days...
Did work for a Piper dealer for awhile. Got to fly all the Cherokees, 180 horse Arrow and Comanches. They had a pretty active salesman who took me under his wing and let me fly a nice variety of airplanes that passed through. Fun job for a young CFI.