Well, I've had quite a time the past few days. I traced down the original owner of my Vert (wasn't really too hard as I have a huge box full of every invoice -- every thing that was ever done to this car -- for the 35 years he owned it. He bought it off the lot in 1970 for $3,000 (plus trade on a Plymouth Fury) -- I even have his original car note and all the dealer inspection info, warranty cards, etc. I was quite curious about this bcause because when I bought the Vert from a guy who had purchased it a few years ago and restored it -- the title was in a different name -- and I was curious what happened.
Well, I really stepped into it.
This old guy loved that car. He pampered it (but still drove it 158,000 miles over the 35 years he owned it until 2005) and wanted it to stay in his family. But when his son moved out of state -- he decided to give it to his step son. Well, apparently the step son fell on hard times in his business and sold the car in 2006 to the guy I bought it from (and restored it). But -- this gent didn't realize that because he hasn't heard from step son for the past 3 years! Needless to say, he was pissed!
We talked about what had been done to the car and how I got it -- and he settled down -- I think after figuring out that its in good hands. I promised him some photos (he doesn't "do" email
) A few days later, his son calls and tells me his Dad is estatic to have heard what happened to Challenger. We exchange info and I invited him to come and see it anytime he gets up this way. Once he saw an email pic -- he was quite pleased (she's now plum crazy with a 440 6 pk). I told him that kept the original motor/tranny -- so she could always be put back. Son seemed quite pleased at how it ultimately turned out. Today, I uploaded a bunch of photos -- some from the resto and some in her current glory -- including a couple with some trophies from some car shows that the son said he's enjoy seeing. (she's now Plum Crazy with a 440 6pk) -- and had prints made and shipped them off to the old guy. He is quite a guy -- he worked on the original Mercury Missle program back in the 60's and quite a talker. I may get out to California next year and promised to stop by if I did.
Anyway, now I know the "rest of the story" about my Challenger -- and I thought some here might enjoy it too.
Happy Thanksgiving
Vermont MOPAR
