Interesting Sunday

[ga.spyder]

After reading Tom Cotter's books ''Cobra in the barn'' and ''Hemi in the barn'' ,my new hobby is driving around looking into garages and barns for hidden treasures! I saw a Alfa Alfetta GTV listed for parts so I went to investigate.The car was intact ,but badly rusted and a lost cause except for parts.The car was near a shed down a steep hill and it was wet and cold.The owner ,who is 76,insisted on walking(sliding) down the hill with me. He started telling me about his racing career,in the Golden Age of the late 50's and early 60's.He had raced Jags,Alfas,a Maserati birdcage ,and even a Abarth! We walked back up to his house and he had albums full of pics.Him with Dan Gurney,Phil Hill,Carroll Shelby,Ed Rahal,Dick Thompson,etc.. He was in the first Daytona race,then called the 3 Hour Continental.Many shots from Sebring,Roebling Road,and other long lost tracks.I have always loved the cars and drivers of that era,and we had a great time looking at all his memorabalia.The 20 min. visit ended up being 4 hours!!! Too cool.
Craig
ps I found a Karman Ghia in a barn and talked with the owners daughter.She said he might be interested in selling,because of failing health.No rust ,complete car that need a lot of tlc.Maybe....

[TulsaSpider]

Sounds like an afternoon to remember!

[GOPAPA]

Now ! that would of been an interesting chat ..20 min=4 hrs .. I bet you dont run into another fellow like that again a barn seeking.
To bad you couldnt of gotten pictures of the Abarth .. How about the Karman Ghia ? What year and what options ,,is it a convertable ,,or did they make em? You better get it so you can answer these questions craig.. LOL Ld

[pope]

Craig,
So your were talking to the farmers daughter...sounds like there is a dirty joke in there somewhere! LOL

[kristoj]

Way cool, Craig. I can see why you stayed for four hours.

[So Cal Mark]

the question that is begging for an answer......did you make a deal for the Alfa?

[mdrburchette]

It sounds like you came upon the best hidden treasure with the old man. He must have had some great stories to keep you there for four hours! That's awsome Craig.

[ga.spyder]

I didnt make a deal on the Alfa.It was way to far gone.Spare tire area,floor pans and rockers all had rust thru areas.Back hatch was so rotten the glass had fallen out! The best part was the b.s. session with Chet.This guy lives in the middle of nowhere,with long ponytail and long white beard.Sterotypical hillbilly or ex-hippie.Never in a million years would you have pegged him for a ex-privateer racer.Good reason to not judge a book by its cover.
The Karman Ghia...I would love to have!It is a 69 (I think) coupe. Still has the factory blue paint,motor is intact and believed to be running.I will continue to go by and try to catch the owner. I have always loved those cars,and they are a breeze to work on.
Craig

[htchevyii]

The guy I got my '72 from was an interesting fellow too. He lives out in the sticks in a home made house and was in his 70's. He was a teacher in Santa Cruz and has a yard full of rusty FIATs: 124 wagons, a 124 coupe, another 72 Spider, a wrecked '78 and about a dozen other cars and trucks. I went to his house a total of three times now and don't think I ever spent less than 4 hours there. I saw pics of his old race cars and his dry lake record with my 1438 in a 124 wagon. He had turbo civics rusting away and a trailer full of old race slicks. Sadly, the only car stored inside was mine and all the other FIATs were too far gone.
pics:

[rlux4]

Way cool Craig.
Trey, those pictures make me feel ill. I would love to have a 124 wagon, and his are being used to add iron to the soil.
Ron

[SpiderHead]

I love talking to the oldtimers about racing!

Craig, you stumbled into a find there for sure... That guy must have some great stories!

I wonder if you shouldn't act as a ghost writer for his drivers life story....

make a million bucks!

-Ryan

[Spiddy]

I didnt make a deal on the Alfa.It was way to far gone.Spare tire area,floor pans and rockers all had rust thru areas.Back hatch was so rotten the glass had fallen out!

Back in 1981 I bought my first NEW car; an Alfa Romeo Giullieta 1800 (spelling doesn't look right). Front engined with tranny over the rear axle. A joy to drive, cornering like it was on rails By 1982 the rust was showing and it was re-sprayed under warranty. By 1983 the rust was through again - even on the roof. By 1984 it was so bad I couldn't even part exchange it. By then the rear bumper was held up on one side by wire. By 1985 it was impossible to get it through the MOT test, so there was no choice but to scrap it

Interestingly, on one occasion I couldn't get the key to turn in the ignition, and had to abandon the car in London and get the train back home. A new ignition was diognosed and the local garage tried to fit another. However, the new ignition was indeed for a 1981 model but it wouldn't fit. It transpired that although I had bought the car as a NEW car in the spring of 1981, the car was in fact a 1979 model Right in the middle of the time they were using "Russian monkey metal" I've never bought another Alfa.

[kmac33]

Very interesting Sunday you had Craig. On the mornings that I take my son to school, I pass an Austin Healey 3000 that is "parked" in a fenced in area in front of a small independent business. It has been there for at least the past 3 years. If I had the money to, and wasn't already up to my neck with my Fiat Restoration (currently trying to finish body work to get her painted before the 2nd week of Feb.) I would stop and see if the owner would be willing to sell. I have always loved the look of the Healeys. It is really a shame, knowing how rare they are that this car that looks pretty complete, has been left outside to deteriorate. It does at least have a hard top on to help keep the rain out.
I really hope to have things in order by early spring so I can come up and get you to give me a tour of the mountains!

Kevin

[ga.spyder]

Hey Kevin
Glad to hear that you and the Fiat are doing well! You should inquire about the Austin.The books I mentioned above,advise to go ahead and ask.You never know the circumstances of these cars.I think the 3000 is the ultimate in classic sports car looks.Look forward to a ride this spring or summer.
Craig