John

Don't think I don't count my blessings. All my adult life I dreamed of
having even a simple pit. The 4 post movable lift is heaven. We live on 2-1/2
acres and the first thing we did was to build the garage ( which unfortunately
due to my proclivities, is a storage area to a large extent ), but then we
built the house. Though they are not attached ( they are about 75 feet apart ),
to my thinking that is the proper order of business - a nice garage with a
house attached ! Only kidding, but I am very fortunate. For the first time in
my life, I can back 4 vehicles out and another 4 if I wished ahead of them.
Actually, as I am rapidly aging, my fleet is slowly disappearing at the rate
of sell 2, buy one ! However, I am making headway "I think." The way the
prices of particular vehicles are rising, I wish I still had a few that I sold
for way too low - such as a 1948 Ambassador convertible - one of only 990
built or a 1933 Chrysler rumble seat convertible. My top story ( and I realize
many of us have several stories on this order ) is when I was stationed in
Germany and discovered a 1937 Horch Convertible under cover in a junkyard.
(some where I actually have a couple of pictures I took of it.) It had dual wire
wheeled sidemounts, was in super shape and probably had not been driven
since 1945 (this was in 1963 and I was way off the beaten track in Bavaria ) At
that time, I had never heard of a Horch. I was living in a small rented house
and what would I have done with it. The asking price -1000 German Marks ! !
(The exchange rate then was 4 to 1 = $ 250. !!) By chance, a German friend
whom I had known in the states was from a wealthy family and I happened to
mention the Horch to him on the telephone. He told me they were very expensive
cars - that his father had had 3 of them. Hitler gave one e.g. to Eva Braun I
know. With this information, I went back to the junk yard. The owner had
somehow begun to sniff something price wise and had now doubled the price. I
actually went up to 1900 Marks ( = $ 475 vs the $500 asking price then ). At
Hershey 4 or 5 years ago, I saw the same thing in deplorable condition for
$150,000 and I saw one through a dealer for 1/4 million or so. Some story.
However, if my Crystal Ball worked better, somehow I would have borrowed $ 25 -
50,000 around 1970 and bought a Duesenberg or how about a dozen Amphicars for
next to nothing ! Capt. Splash with the "Split Personalithy"



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