In the fall of 1981 I need a ride. Living in Butte, Montana and need to get around. I have 125$ but what will that buy. Borrow a buddies car and drive around town a bit. There a spot a different looking car in the high weeds behind the house. A closer examination reveals a small Pontiac - good interior - lots of rust on the outside - rusted floor boards. I knock on the door and ask - would you consider seeling the car and does it run. Answer - it runs - but needs a cluch. I offer the $125. SOLD.
I take the car home, dad not too happy to see the junker I bought. But wait I say - I am going to fix it up. So me and a buddy start - pre-internet. Try to find a cluch - lucky me - my girl friend's dad owns a Champion Auto store - she is a car gal. After searching all the books - he finds what I need. Takes a few weeks, now it is the end of October. Pull the car into my buddies rented garage with wooded floor and no heats - barely has doors. Jack in up to start - WHAT THE %@#*. No link to drop the drive line. That is right - I purcahsed the 1963 Pontiac Lemans with the rope drive shaft and IRS Transaxle. Okay - I can do this. Take inspection plate of of bellhousing. WHAT THE %@#*. That's right - who dreamed up this.
Talk to a few of the car folks in town - they laugh and say good luck. Spent the next several weeks under the car in the bitter cold. My mom really liked it when I rebuilt the transaxle on her kitchen table just before Thanksgiving. But I got it back together and run it did. Fast, really fast - 326 HO. 3 speed manual. Two door coupe.
The first week I had it running my brother drove it one block got in a wreck at the first intersection that he drove through runided both quater panels. NO way to find these at that time. So a big hammer, bondo and primer bring it back to life.
Many stories follow. Many girls later. That was a sweet car - drove it daily for 5 years.
Fast forward - look for a car for seven years - the right car. Low and behold last October I call a guy in MIchigan and he has a car for sale - new engine - no drive train - no rear end - plastic windows - dented. I say no thanks - he wants $600. A few weeks later see the same car on e bay. Starting at 1,000. Looks not so good. A few days later it is at 30K. Sells for much, much more - $227,000. Well that is life.
So I see another car on the internet. Silvermist grey - re-built engine - straight - no rust - nice interior. So I do a bit of research - engine builder and car owner.
None other than ORIGINALHO - so I bid high and win - it was the right car - it had the right owner and engine builder. Now I have my 63 Lemans again. This time my brother will not drive it. Craig can drive it anytime. Drove it from Vegas to Milwuakee in mid December.
My daughter will take it to high school soon. It certainly won't sit in the garage. This car was meant to drive daily.
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