I used to drive an 87 Nova (repainted black-pimp!) and drove it to & from college in Philly for the holidays. Her 4cyl took it like a champ and doing 400mi on one take of gas was sweet. One time when driving through Conneticut I was passing a truck and around 70mph she started to buck. I didn't know what was going on so I let off the gas, no sooner do I do that and she drops into 1st (automatic), the car lurches forward as I hear the engine whine.
Thinking quickly that nothing good was going to come of this I threw on the hazards & headed for the breakdown lane. No sooner does the passenger side wheel touch the breakdown lane does the tranny seize. Wheels lock up doing about 30 and the car skids sideways. I kept her off the guardrail and stopped.
After hiking 1/4mi to the next exit I called AAA but didn't have enought coverage for a tow (or the money to pay) since I was 4hrs away from home. My poor dad had to rent a hitch, ride down & pick me up. $800 later, new tranny & For Sale sign in the yard.
