Did You Ever Screw Up Real Bad? Or Almost? Well Maybe!

[GunnyRec]

Regular readers of this very good forum will please excuse this rambling post. I have possible screwed up real bad and just need to share these thoughts with some REAL car guys. They are sorely lacking here in my neck of the woods.

I am a retired Marine, got the heck shot out of myself a few years ago in some little pop corn fart of a place no body ever really heard of. Had to retire after 27 years, man I wanted that 30th year. Came home to a wonderful wife and have been very happy even though I miss the Corps with a passion.

Over the past few retired years I have built a couple of Hot Rod 56 Ford F-100's. The last one I built was a deal from hell and the guy I sold it too was as well, cost me an arm and a leg to build that truck, got really screwed with a bad and stolen Money Order and lost my butt. Went way, way into the whole over $11,000 on that deal. Never have been able to find the guy either, well maybe one day, Huh?

That truck deal soured me on the "Old Car Thing" altogether for two years. I took up another hobby "Silhouette Shooting" spent the other arm and leg buying all of the stuff Rifles, Reloading Equipment, Supplies etc, etc etc, that it takes to start a new sport.But I always missed the old cars and the folks that make this such a cool thing to do. A month or two ago I got the bug for a an Old Buick, I didn;'t care which old Buick it just had to be a 1935 to 1938 and running. I am a simple man after all. I really didn't have very much money to spend on this Newest Dream Car but I wanted it and the search began. I had a really good 1980,s Harley Davidson that I had owned for two years and had never riden not once, i simply was to broken up to scoot around on the ground again, and that always seems to happen with those old bikes. but man I loved looking at it setting in the Garage. And dreamed of the day when I was 47 and not the broken to pieces 57 that I am today, much less the fact that on most mornings I feel 87 before all of those broke parts get the blood to running through themselves again.

Looking round on E-Bay and low and behold there she is "My Buick" Guy want's what seems a very reseonable $3,500, but I got no money for this, so I ask myself, "Wonder If This Guy Would Like A Motorcycle? Send him an e-mail finally get a response we talk and strike a deal. So I trade a Harley Davidson FXWG bike worth at least $8,500 and probably closer to $9,000, straight across for this broken down but running maybe jewel in the rough site unseen, and agree to drive from CA to FL to deliver the bike and haul the car back. And I don't even have a trailer, well I didn't have a trailer, as I write it is beeing built in Blossom Texas and I will pick it up on the way to FL. That only cost me another $1,700 or so, still got to buy tie downs and such. Oh me Oh my!

I was talking yesterday to a shooting aquantance, not a true friend just a guy I shoot with some times. He being totally honest told me what I already new and that I was being a damn fool about this. Making this trade was really dumb and I know that "Now". It has cost me enough money that I could have bought and shipped a really nice old Buick if I had just used my head for something besides a hammer. I now have bought a pig in the poke and have nobody to blame but myself. Four days ago the wife had to take me to the Hospital. I was in such pain I have never hurt that bad before and I have been shot or stabbed over a dozen times. Turns out it was "Shingles" some sort of virus left over from the Chicken Pox I had when I was a kid. I broke out in a rash all over my back and feel like hell. If any of you guys ever even here your Doctor say the words "Shingles" and he is not talking about his roof you run like hell. This aquantence i am talking too just can't understand why I don't just back out of the deal.

So I try and explain it to him. This is my fault and nobody else's. I made this deal. I went to the man in FL and offered him the trade, he didn't come to me. The man in Blossom Texas was setting in his shop when "I CALLED HIM" . Nobody to blame but this dumb Marine. He still just can't get it. So I explane one more time, I Gave My Word, Man that should be enough, damn fool or not. MY WORD Thats all any of us really have now isn't it. I'm glad I feel that way, fool or not, and I'm sorry this aquantence didn't get it. Money is all it is really when you think about, and if that is what is really important "The Money" then God help is all!!

Well Guy's any body who stayed with me for all of that Thanks for letting ,me vent this I sure feel better. Even that rash doesn't hurt quite as bad right now. I leave here this Sunday for a almost 6,000 mile odessy, some would call it a fools errand. Well Maybe!! Damn I can't wait. Maybe one or two of you Car Guys will understand that.

Gunny

PS-- Mr. Webmaster feel free to delete this way too loooooong post. It is a little off topic and I just needed to say a few things. If you feel it needs to go thats cool with me.

[1937hd45]

Most guys would back out of the deal you just discribed, but I respect you for understanding that a mans word is his bond. I'll bet your real big on handshakes too. Reality TV is real big now, have you given any thought to selling this story to the Discovery Channel? You will get to see some of the nicest parts of the country you spent your life defending. Thank you.

[Twitch]

Understand and agree, your word is your word. The whole thing at the bottom line is the condition of the Buick too. Was it advertised as "was running when parked 6 years ago," or"runs, drives, needs restoration," or "motor is good for a freakin boat anchor!?" Maybe when you see it you'll fall in love and will be able to fix it up little by little.

On the other hand bro, you've paid your dues and don't have to apologize for anything. You've lived long enough that it's time in your life to do what makes you happy. Honor only has a value to honorable men. In our world today there is little of it and you don't need to personally be the poster boy for word and honor.

You never let the enemy force you into combat situations. YOU had control. Rise to the occassion and take control of this fiasco, as you seem to assess it. Tell the mofo in Fla. you got medical problems and it ain't gonna happen. He can list his car again. Guy I bought my car from sells many on Ebay and says people regularly bid to buy a car then call and try to get him to lower the price after commiting and he ends up relisting. Or people don't hit the reserve and the cars get relisted. This Buick guy ain't gonna die if he has to.

If that Buick is rough you ain't gonna be able to rat around the garage floor messing with it much so you might think about trading one machine for another to just sit and look at. Doesn't make sense, huh?

You're in a situation about like you cut the squad in half to be able to recon better but you got jumped by a large force of goons with a 51 cal. and the M-60 is with the other part of your squad!

Remember how you counted rounds in combat and horded them, firing only at good targets? Well, your money is now those precious 5.56 rounds and you must conserve ammo leatherneck! This ain't no movie, it's your life, dude, forget about words just because you said so. And the way I see it you can't afford to be in this situation so you need to extract yourself from it. You duty is to yourself now. This isn't 3 card monty but you can't win the way this game is rigged even if you rigged it that way yourself by mistake. Think about self preservation or at least the Mrs. before you do MORE things you'll regret.

Go in shootin and don't wimp out!

[R W Burgess]

Good story Gunny. I'm 57 and hurt like the dickens too, most every morning. It's been my right thumb joint this week. I do like a man of his word too. That's so rare nowadays. Already had the Shingles, kidney stones(plural), and too many kids to still be called somewhat sane. Welcome to the local asylum! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> You'll have a lot of company here. Wayne

[Steve Moskowitz]

Wayne, shame on you, no one on this forum calls you "somewhat sane"! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[R W Burgess]

Steve, not even somewhat?? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Mike Dube]

Good story Gunny, thanks for sharing. There are still a few of us out here that mean it when we give our word. I wish you the best of luck, I'm sure it will be a trip to remember no matter how it goes.

Since we're telling stories:

A friend and I drove his just purchased '37 Buick back from Maine quite a few years ago. We put a battery in it, and off we went for 700 relatively uneventful miles. We had a flat and lost part of the exhaust system. To this day, that trip remains a fond memory. He still has the car too.

I bought a '41 Packard a few years ago that was a "runner". It was a couple of hundred miles from here, and I don't own a tralier. When I got there, it turned out it hadn't been started in a couple of years, and was a bit rustier than described. It did fire up with some ether, and in fact ran and drove pretty decently. Found out later, with the first oil change, that we had broken some rings on that start up.

[Guest JT]

I'd say if the guy down in Fla is a decent guy he would understand you've come to your senses and realized it's not a equally good deal for the both of you. If he's not a decent guy he doesn't deserve your honesty in the situation.

[GunnyRec]

Well guy's to say I am surprised would be a pretty big understatement. When I wrote that post this morning it never actually accured to me that very many of you folks would read the thing, and I never really thought that anyone would respond to it. It was just some ramblings on how I felt about not really using my head for thinking, and maybe trying to make myself feel a little better about this dumb thing I did.

Somewhere in all that there sems to be a little philosphy lession. Well thats good I like philosphy, so I will try and make another point or two.

Twitch,

Good deal, Bad deal whatever kind of deal. I made it, ME, and me alone. I gave my word nobody forced me to do anything. I wish I had given it a little more thought, but I didn't, jumped before the door was open and the light turned green. That big Ole Red Dodge one ton dually with a Harley loaded in the bed headed for Blossom Texas leaves at 0530 Sunday morning. That is as long as I am looking at the grass from the green side, if I am looking at them damn roots Joanne will be driving it instead of me. I feel that strongly about it.

JT,

I do not know this man in FL that owns this old Buick. I have only talked to him a couple of times on the phone. I can only hope that he is in fact a decent guy. If for some reason ( and I have no reason to think so) he was not a decent guy that is his problem and in no way reflects on the deal that "I MADE"

Guy's i did a damn fool thing. This Buick may be the best deal that there ever was. It may be way under priced and worth 10 times what I am paying for it. If that is in fact the way this turns out I sure will be surprised a lot. It probably is as the man said it is a 1937 Buick 4 door sedan that runs and is in need of restoration, but is drivable as is now. As a matter of fact in his ad on E-Bay he encouraged potential bidders to come and take a look before they bid, encouraged them to do so. He also ran that ad for 6 days and never got a single bid, Maybe that should have told me something right there. But I wanted a Old Buick was determined about it too, kinda like a kid in a candy store. Well I remember vaguley being a kid in a candy store, sometimes that candy made me sick. This may or may not turn out to be one of those sick deals, but it's a deal no matter what. Sense I am the one that started this deal I now "DEMAND" the opportunity to do the right thing "DEMAND IT". But boy I sure as hell wish this rash would hurry up and go away.

Folks thank you all each and everyone for taking the time to read these thoughts. And if you are out and about next week on I-40 West of Texas or I-10 East of LA and see this Big OLe Red Dodge One Ton Dually Hauling a Harley in the back with CA plates wave or throw something would you.

Gunny

[nearchoclatetown]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When I wrote that post this morning it never actually accured to me that very many of you folks would read the thing, and I never really thought hat anyone .

</div></div>Gunny, that shows you how pathetic we are. Have a good trip, hope everything works out. Let us know the outcome.

[Guest Indiana_Truck]

A man of his word is rare these days but maybe you should talk to this guy again and work out something else. You could sell your bike for 5 or 6k which is less than it is worth and buy this car for $3500 and have money left over to fix it up. If you don't get this one there will be others but you need to sell the bike first if that is how you plan to pay for it. If you go through with this deal you will be reminded of it every time you see the car or even think about the car and that is not the way to enjoy it.

Bob

[DizzyDale]

Dear Gunny,The way i sees this deal is as follows.If in fact you get to Florida and the Buick is as advertised you make the deal and YOU get what you were after.If the car is NOT as advertised you dicker em down or get in the Dodge and head West.You went East to do the RIGHT thing for the Right car.Maybe paid too much but if its what you want, whats too much.Lets all hope Mr.Buick in Florida is a quarter as HONORABLE as you.GOOD LUCK,DRIVE SAFE,keep us posted.diz

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Gunny...

Listen to what Diz said...

Trust me, I know him.

Go for it...there are a lot of us on this forum already supporting you.

Regards,

Peter J.(SSG: MACV Group J3-12 Saigon '69-70) <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

I've been shot, stabbed and blowed up too. The only mistake i ever made was 51 years ago when the doctor held me upside down by the ankles and slapped me on the ass. I'm STILL paying for it today!!! AND NEVER agreed to it to begin with.

Noli ti illegitimus carborundum.

[HarryJ]

Gunny....I think I would go to silhouette shooting as a hobby if I had your experiences. Antique automobiles are not for the most of us a money making experience. There are unfortunately, a few crooks in the business we all have to watch out for. By the way if you are in the market for a car try calling a AACA member near the car in question and/or consult this forum as to the automobile. Get some vapid opinions!

[Wowabunga]

>>Life Is Not A Journey To The Grave With The Intention Of Arriving Safely In One Pretty And Well Preserved Piece, But To Skid In Broadside, Thorough Used Up Worn Out And Defiantly Shouting "WOW What A Ride!"<<

Thanks for the smile... great sig line... been a rougher than normal week.

How rough is rough: well couldn't find a motor mount for the daily driver anywhere but the dealer, hit a pothole in the Rambler Wagon and later at my parents the whole wheel fell off, just hanging there like a loose tooth. Been driving a 1966 Ford Tractor Trailer all week as my only transports... WOW what a ride this week...!

Oh, about buy'n and sell'n cars, I'm in sales and every week I have no idea how I will pay the bills next week... some days I make some great buys, some days I loose my shirt, it's all about working hard and having Faith in those around me... and finally when you average out your life you find you've had a blessed trip. Maybe sometime down the road, you'll be drive'n that Buick to a local show, meet someone with a motorcycle you've always wanted and make a trade of a life time... could happen. LOL. Till then, Oh the friends you'll make putting that Buick back on the road.

[Shop Rat]

Gunny,

I am still trying to figure out why you offered to trade a Harley worth between $8.500 and $9,000 for a car that was priced at only $3.500. The bike is worth more than double the asking price. If he was shipping the car to you, rather than you buying a car trailer, I could maybe understand that.

I know that YOU made this deal, but why is what I don't really understand. Can you explain it to where I will?

I do respect your feeling that you should honor the deal. You are a grown up and no one twisted your arm.

Any chance your wife would swear you were drunk out of your mind at the time, or on prescription pain killers?

[Idle Swede]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> a Harley worth between $8.500 and $9,000 </div></div>

Don't believe everything you read

Since when is a 80 FXWG worth that kind of money?

The 80 Wideglide was the first model introduced & they sell around $4.000 - 5.000.

[Guest rcirilli]

Well Gunny, I am proud you are a participant in the hobby. People with charactor are getting rare. Personnally I think a man's word is the most important thing and sometimes the only thing we have that matters. I spent time in the service to and greatly respect what you have gone through. As for possibly making a bad deal. If the truth be told very few of us have survived this hobby without making dumb errors in judgement. I think that is part of the trip. I wish I knew how many parts I have purchased that weren't even close to fitting the car I was buying it for. I spent so much more than most of my cars are or have been worth it's not funny. I look at it this way, I rarely drink, don't gamble and even quit smoking. This hobby is my vise and I like it. We just don't leave this world with any toys. Enjoy the trip.

[Guest Moepar]

Hey Gunny

Do as the Diz says. If when you see it, it meets your expections, have a ball & take it home. If not, [censored] on it & have a ball on the way home. In either event, sounds like a good excuse for a road trip so bring your camera & have some fun.

D

[R W Burgess]

Hey Cirilli, how do you buy the wrong parts for a mid year Corvette. Most of them are all the same. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Bill Stoneberg]

Gunny,

If you get to the west of Houston about Dinner time, give me a call.

I will be glad to meet up with you and show you some good tex mex.

I have sent you a pm with my phone number.

Bill

[Shop Rat]

I have no idea how much a certain HD would go for, but I know some of them are worth a lot, so that did not sound unreasonable to me.

[GunnyRec]

Guy's,

Sense there sems to be some amount of interest in this crazy thing I have done I am going to make a post when ever I can, about some of thie going on's. But as I do this ever once in awhile I just feel the need to respond directly to someone.

Shop Rat,

Now son nobody ever said that a feller had to be smart to be a Marine. That certainly applys in this case for sure and for certain. The way I ended up doing this was I had this itch for an old Buick and I just couldn't scratch it hard enough. It was that instant gradifacation thing I guess. I wanted it and wanted it now, and to hell with the circumstances. Well I got my wish there boy. I had the Harley just sitting there and not being used at all, I did not have liquid assits that I was willing to spend. Got to waging a war with myself Harley---- Old Buick, Harley--Old Buick One just setting there gathering dust, other one hours and hours of pure fun and it's damn hard to fall off of four wheels. So I tendered an offer, I actually never in a million years thought it would be accepted, once it was it was too late to do anything about. Smart not this Marine!! You know Shop Rat that exact same kind of thinking is why I am physically in such bad shape, and have been shot, stapped and as PackardV8 said "Blew Up" On the day in Recon School when they had the "DUCKING CLASS"S" I said to myself: "Self, Hell man you have hunted ducks all your life you sure don't need no class about it." So I went to town on Liberty Little did I know then that those Marines where talking about a whole different kind of "DUCK"

Idle Swede,

I do believe that I have been called a "LIAR". No simplier way to put it just a plain old "LIAR". You know folks it takes a really --%$--%$%---&^#@$ to call a man he has never meet, or seen, or knows a damn thing about a "LIAR". I usually don't respond to vermine but this time I will. Motorcycle is a 1981 FXWG, Paint by Borget, S&S 96 inch Brand New Shovel Engine, read that again BRAND NEW, Andrews Road King 6 Speed, Primo belt drives both of them Primary and drive. CC 280 rear tire swing arm and kit including Jesse James custom built fender for that 280 tire. When I said $8,500 to $9,000 I was being real conservative and I mean REAL conservative. I was doing that to ease the pain of being a bigger jack-ass than even I would admit.

Dizzy Dale,

Man that is very good advice, it not only does the right thing but also keeps my personal ethics in tact. Besides it really makes sense. Thanks for advising me, your council is greatly appreciated and will be followed gladly. If you have any more common sense ideas that may help me from letting my mouth overload my butt please feel free to say so.

Bill Stoneberg,

Thanks for the invite, maybe on the way back I will just go through Katy just to get a free meal. I was actually born in the Piney woods of East Texas and it has been a long time since I had any TexMex. Look forward to it.

Mr. Burgess, Sir

Your post was most welcome Thanks, My wife is still worried about that thumb joint of yours and hope's it isn't paining you too much this morning.

Guy's Thanks again

Gunny

[R W Burgess]

Gunny, I worry about you son. You're just made a bad story worst by bringing up the extra goodies on the bike. My brother had S&S heads and the other things you speak of on one of his Harleys, way expensive. If I lived near you I'd break your arm to give you more time to think over the situation. The thumb's fine today, thank you much. About ready to take out the wife for dinner and Karioake...."I'm in love with a girl like MOM!!!!"..You oughta hear me. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Later, Wayne

[DizzyDale]

Dear Gunny,Once in Florida, leave the Harley on the truck. Spend WHATEVER time its goin take to look the Buick over.If its not what you HOPED and DREAMED of in EVERY way shape or form...walk AWAY .WE have ALL been on wild goose chases.ABSOLUTELY nothin wrong with chasin your dreams.If the Buick has been misrepresented walk AWAY.Do not want to have to sell the Harley for bail and or lawyer fees.In haste do not trade a weiner for a ham.diz

[Idle Swede]

Gunny,

First of all, let's get one thing straight. It was in NO way my intention to call you a liar and if that's how you interpreted it I truly apologize. I of course assumed that you were talking about a stock 80 Wideglide sitting in your garage, never once ridden, (your words) probably in average or less condition. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that a person would trade a bike like that & on top of it drive 6.000 miles to do it. Again, please accept my apologies.

[Shop Rat]

Okay Gunny, I am still confused. Why would you worry that the guy would not accept an offer that is more than twice what he was offering??

That is like going into the questionable part of town, being quoted $50 and worrying that your offer of $150 will be turned down. HUH!?!?!? (Aren't you proud of how clean I kept that and still got the point across?)

(Psst!! I'm not "son". I'm.........a girl.)

[jaxops]

Gunny,

Make sure to bring your magnets to detect "bondo" filler in body panels, and a strong flashlight to check out the undercarriage and look for leaks in the rear axle, transmission, and engine seals. Be real picky Gunny, you are the buyer!

I had a post last year on trailering a Cadillac down from PA, and this group was very helpful in how to arrange the tie-downs and what kind of trailer to use...if you get that far.

Best of luck and Godpspeed on your voyage to FLA Gunny! I hope this works out for you.

[Guest AlK]

Gunny:

I am usually over on the Packard forum along with Packardv8, and only occasionally do I get over on the other forums. I have to admit I have read a lot of posts here and there and elsewhere but no where have I ever read such a post as this. I can claim no kinship to the marines, my step father was in the army and prayed to the Marine Corp icons. I was in the Air force and the less said about that the better. However I can relate to you on the matter of honor. It is rare to find someone in the world that will honor his word even if it means he bleeds to death doing it. I have had one deal that resulted in my getting my wifes Packard that basically hinged on a man keeping his word even though he would have gotten his money 2 weeks sooner had he backed out. I can see both sides of the arguement here and cannot and will not offer advice one way or the other. You are damned if you don't and damed if you do. What ever you decide to do will be the best way to do it. You will be passing within 4 1/2 hours south of me on I-10 coming through Florida. I hope all goes well with the trip and the trade. good luck and God Bless.

[Matt Harwood]

It isn't this '37 Buick you're going to get, is it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50354&item=5934148171&rd=1

If it is, maybe you'll come out ahead when it's all said and done!

All kidding aside, I commend you on your integrity to stick to a deal you made. As others have said, if nothing else, you'll come out of this a wiser man with a great driving tour of this beautiful country of ours. Maybe you can pull that bike off the truck during particularly nice sections of the drive and enjoy it!

Here's an article I wrote a few years ago about finding and evaluating the right hobby car:

http://www.autorestorer.com/articles/art116.html

Be critical, and don't let the investment you've made in getting there color the investment you might make in buying the wrong car.

I've found that most in this hobby are decent people who try to be honest and fair. I like to hold on to that faith that all people are basically good, especially considering the investment you're making. However, if I were the seller of this Buick, I know that I would discourage you from doing this--knowing that I'm getting the better end of the deal and that you're coming across the country for my car would make me uncomfortable about "taking advantage" of your offer. It's too lopsided. For that reason, BE CRITICAL and BE CAREFUL.

Best of luck to you, friend.

[GunnyRec]

Before I get into the meat of this post I must make a preface: Guys, there is no way in the world anybody could make this stuff up! This little excursion has taught me a valuable lesson. And that lesson is.... real life is way more weird than fiction.

Guys, and you too Shoprat,

As I type this I'm sitting in a very nice room in the La Quinta Inn in Shreveport LA. Thank goodness for free Internet access.

Mounted to the back of that red Dodge Ram truck is a brand new very nice 18' tandem-axle car hauler... picked up around 2pm this afternoon in Blossom TX. I am also two days behind schedule but as is the case with everything in this odyssey there's an explanation for that two days lost. As readers of this crazy "darn" thread are well aware of, just about anything that can go wrong has gone wrong. Why should my departure time of 5:30am Sunday morning had been any different? My plans were in fact, as I posted here, to leave at 5:30am Sunday morning, make a leisurely four day ride to FL, enjoying the sites and scenes along the way. That has now turned into a bonzai three day foot-to-the-floor as fast as you can go trip to get there in time to pick everything up. Not only do I have Shingles and a rash that covers one-third of my back that now has turned into a rubbed raw "darn" mess but on the Saturday before I was supposed to leave I had a tooth that hurt so bad I thought it was going to explode. Finally got into the Dentist on Monday morning and had TWO teeth pulled and was in no condition to leave Monday afternoon. Finally got out of town Tuesday morning, two days behind schedule. Thus, the bonzai run. But right now I'm sitting pretty good. I've gone a little over 1800 miles and spent 3/4 of one day picking up the trailer. I will be in Florida tomorrow and will finally get to see "The Buick".

jaxops,

Thanks for the reminder. I now have bondo magnets firmly grasped in hand.

AIK,

As per your wishes, I also won't mention the Air Force. I am just about bled out though. As I sit now it looks like 518 miles to Pensacola. That's somewhere between nine and ten hours. I oughta be getting into FL between 6-8pm Friday night so AIK, along about that time if you would say a prayer for me I sure would appreciate it.... I think I'm gonna need it.

Matt,

In a way I wish it was that Buick but I'm afraid it's not. I will be both critical but I have never been careful about anything. Thanks again. And Matt, I've been to your website a few times and have enjoyed viewing it greatly. One thing about your website, your detailed instructions on trunk repair will make me take a "darn" hard look at the trunk on this '37 Buick. It was hard enough to read about... I don't even want to do it.

Along about 7:30 Friday morning from the La Quinta Inn in Shreveport LA another day of this odyssey begins.

Thanks folks,

Gunny

[Shop Rat]

And the journey continues. I sure hope those shingles heal quickly. I understand they can be very painful.

Keep us updated Gunny.

[Guest Moepar]

Maybe you should just address everyone guys & gals. I, like shop rat, am not a guy. ha ha.

Later

[GunnyRec]

Guy's and Gals, Is That Better Ma'am ?

The Buick Odessey is now complete and done. That 1937 Buick now sets and rests in my garage. It was a heck of a trip for sure and for certain. I am out one unused Harley and now own one Buick. In the end when I got to Milton Fl and actually saw that old Buick I simply feel in love. I was sadly not able to look at it in an objective way, it was love at first site. It needs a lot of work, but not more than I am willing to do. It does in fact run very well and will not take much to make it a real driver. It will never be a 200 point show car NEVER. It simply is not in the cards for this Buick. For one thing it has the wrong owner, and the second thing is it would take a lot and I mean I lot of work to get it to that point. That never was my intention really. making a show car out of it, it was always my wish to have a driver. One that I was not afraid to get a scratch or a little dent now and then on. This old Buick now enters into another life of service, it will bve driven and driven a lot, I feel that is what it was for.

There is a foot note to this story. One that I feel pretty good about. Making this trip was not easy for me. As I have stated over and over I have this shingle thing going on, the two teeth I had pulled never did really give me any problems but left me unable to eat the kind of food one finds on the road. But with all of the problems I fulfilled my personal ethics and did what I said I was going to do no matter the personal costs. Those folks in Milton Fl also really needed some help as it turns out. Unknown to me until I arrived they had lost pretty much all of there stuff in the two or three Hurricane's. There home was a total loss and complteley gone. They are living at there business a used tire shop that was not hit to hard by the storms. The had this old Buick and a couple of other cars a 1938 Nash and a couple of more cars that needed real work. All of these where for sale but they where havong a real problem selling them under the hard times brought on by the storms. They had run an ad for the bike saying it would be available to look at on this past Sat. When I finally rolled in there where 6 buyers waiting. Seems as if there is a real shortage of Shovel Head Harleys in that area. We sold the bike right then and there on the spot for an amazing $9,850. It was a nice scooter! . But it sold and every body seemed happy. Guy who ended up buying the bike desappeared around the corner and those folks had almost 10 grand in there pocket, and for once ever thing came out pretty well undeed. They sure needed that money and I feel this was a good thing for everyone concerned.

To the folks that keep up with this Thanks for taking the time to read it and the respones where great, Thanks.

Damn I'm glad to be home!!

Gunny

[Bill Stoneberg]

Gunny,

Glad you made it home OK.... Glad you like the car, now you need to post some pictures so we can see this.

Also, there is a Buick DF also on the site where Buick questions are answered as you run into them. A bunch of friendly people who know the cars.

Enjoy your new Christmas present and have a Happy Holidays.

[Twitch]

Good, you ended up with a drive-able car. That show car business is for the birds. If a car is not driven then it ceases to perform the fuction for which it was designed and becomes sterile sculpture. And there are only a handful of cars in the whole world that are better to just look at than to drive or see them drive by. Who cares if you have to put a 6 volt alternator on her to make some juice instead of the original factory generator and whatnot.

I hope for all your one-sided trading they at least bought you a beer!

[Mike Dube]

Great story Gunny! A happy ending and what sounds like a real good deed ya done. Makes us feel good for the Holidays.

Thanks!!

[Mike Dube]

Hey Bill,

I see you're a Buick guy. I have an old friend in Houston who is a BCA member (I believe) and has a green '67 Skylark ragtop he tools around some. Older gent name of Tom. Ever cross paths with him?

[Bill Stoneberg]

Goes by Tommy, short and lacking hair ? Used to work for Xerox ??

Yes, if this is the gentleman, I see him quite regularly at cruise nights and club functions. He is a valued member of our local chapter.