Progression went something like this-

Hotwheels
tinkering (taking apart) motorized toys
helping dad do tune ups
watching older brothers get licences/cars and freedom
having friends with cool muscle cars and Harleys
taking a lot of mechanical, welding courses starting in highschool
getting my own car and customizing it
making money working on other people's cars
getting influenced by different scenes (muscle cars, streetbikes, Harleys, 4x4's)
etc., etc....