It's the years 1964 and 1965 . . . Malt Shops . . . jukeboxes with rock and roll . . . souped-up cars at the dragstrip . . . high school games . . . house and school parties . . .movies at the theater . . . and the Vietnam War! Paul Edmonds is head over heels in love with his fellow classmate, Rosa Kay Robinson, at Detroit's Southwestern High School. Paul has a crush on her and is going out of his way to develop a relationship with her, despite her mother's objections. As members of the Class of 1965, Paul is an outstanding athlete on the school football, basketball and track teams; while Rosa is a member of the cheer team. They use that time to see each other. Her good friend and classmate, and fellow cheerleader, Patty Wisniewski, also makes sure they spend time together. Paul is an outstanding drag racer at Detroit Dragway with his 421 Pontiac Tempest nicknamed Little Rosa. But the dark cloud of the Vietnam War comes into focus and drives them closer together. They make an effort for their love to work!