[muscle_collector]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Hey! I had those paint saving mudflaps too back in the day!

No front shots of the topless DKM, instead, IIRC this was one of MECHAM's personal cars?
But, I could be wrong (again)!

that is actually his wifes car new. I owned it until about 10 years ago I sold it to loren in Missouri who did an outstanding job restoring it.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Hey! I had those paint saving mudflaps too back in the day!

No front shots of the topless DKM, instead, IIRC this was one of MECHAM's personal cars?
But, I could be wrong (again)!

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

that is actually his wifes car new. I owned it until about 10 years ago I sold it to loren in Missouri who did an outstanding job restoring it.

Krap - Wrong Again! . Seriously though, Thxs for the info heads up clarification.

[muscle_collector]

it was dennis mecums wifes car so technically it was one of their personal cars.

[78Macho]

...actually, there were 202 Machos produced for 1978, with #202 being sold in Oct 1978. The last two cars were customer conversions, where #203 was converted in March 1979 and #204 was converted in September 1979.

[Judge273]

So, now I'm confused by the wording. Produced 202?

Were they not new cars converted into and sold used? That's 202 number.

203 and 204 were costumers who brought their used TAs to be converted the next year by them.

So a trick question. But, you could buy the stuff to convert your own as well. Just didn't get a production number?

If the eBay car was a nice restored SE in black it would fetch 60-70 k?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Correction: The actual number of 1978 Macho T/A's built by DKM is 204.

How do I know? Was told by Todd Coombs @ TA Nat's several years ago: IIRC (2) two of the cars were purchased elsewhere and brought in by customers for conversion at Mecham.

The Takeaway: I won a DKM Polo Shirt at the TA Nats by answering the following trivia

Question - "How many Macho T/A's were produced by DKM in 1978?
Answer - 204! "You are correct! Come on up and claim your prize!"

I gave it to Jimmy Flemming who had "restified" his 1979 White & Burgundy Macho TA #53 W72 400 4-spd.
As I recall, Jimmy was ecstatic receiving that shirt, and I was happy sharing in his enjoyment.

Dennis Mecham (wearing the same color & design DKM polo) and Alvin at said event below

Note: The Gold '79 Macho above was a 403 Auto, owned then by Todd Coombs.

Originally Posted by Judge273

So, now I'm confused by the wording. Produced 202?

Were they not new cars converted into and sold used? That's 202 number.

203 and 204 were costumers who brought their used TAs to be converted the next year by them.

So a trick question. But, you could buy the stuff to convert your own as well. Just didn't get a production number?

If the eBay car was a nice restored SE in black it would fetch 60-70 k?

Perhaps my post is a misquote and slight error in my part, which should instead read and be stated as:

The Takeaway: I won a DKM Polo Shirt at the TA Nats by answering the following trivia

Question - "How many 1978 Macho T/A's were produced by DKM?
Answer - 204! "You are correct! Come on up and claim your prize!"

The last two 1978 Machos; #203 & #204 were converted, numbered & documented by DKM. Those cars were brought to DKM for conversion by customers. DKM considered them MACHO TA's once they converted, numbered, documented and received payment...

Not sure - CRS - if MACHO conversion kits (such as Fire Am items offered by Herb Adams) were ever offered by DKM. Others here certainly know the answer to that Q and will correct the post accordingly.

IMO - doesn't matter now what I - or anyone else want to believe correct; DKM numbered and counted #203 & #204 as 1978 MACHO TA's. "Your results may vary."

[TransAm 474]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

that is actually his wifes car new. I owned it until about 10 years ago I sold it to loren in Missouri who did an outstanding job restoring it.

well...howdy Mr. Gary, I didn't realize that was you at first.. LOL This is Brian,Jamie Holt's little brother. That car did turn out beautiful!! Im not sure if you have heard or not,but unfortunately Loren is not with us anymore

Brian

[muscle_collector]

WTH !!!!! what / how / when did this happen???? I was just getting ready to make a post and say hello Jamie, and how is loren and all you guys.

[TransAm 474]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

WTH !!!!! what / how / when did this happen???? I was just getting ready to make a post and say hello Jamie, and how is loren and all you guys.

Well Gary, he went through that divorce and everything when he was doing the restoration on the Macho,and it all hit him pretty hard, he kinda went down the drug path after all that I believe, he was in and out of jail quite often for several years, and he ended up having a massive heart attack in Taney,co jail in Branson,it happened back in March. It was quite the shock to all of us. He always said he was gonna get out and straighten up everytime he was in jail, but unfortunately he never did. I sure wish he would have,but even as much as everyone tried,nobody could help him. There at last he probably didn't weigh 170-180 lbs. and as you know, that is tiny for Loren. It sucks, Dad,Jamie and I always go up to the big Swap Meet in Springfield every year ya know at the Fairgrounds, and it just wasn't the same not seeing Loren walking around up there this year. Very,Very Unfortunate...

on a brighter note, Jamie and all of us is doing great!!

How have you been Mr. Gary?

[muscle_collector]

holy crap. that breaks my heart as you guys have been friends for a long long long time (you were just a kid when we all met). I remember when she left him, he called and we talked for a long time and that was around the same time he became diabetic. I knew then it was all coming down on him and tried to get him to get you guys and come down and hang out. he said he would and then never made it. then I couldn't ever get ahold of him and then out of the blue he called me and told me about all the pressure and did a stupid thing and got on drugs, but was cleaned up and getting life back on track. so I suggested we all get together and that never happened. then I never heard from him for a couple of years maybe and out of the blue I got a collect call from jail in taney county. as you remember my uncle was one of the original developers of branson and still owns around thirty something hotels there so I thought hmmmm family member maybe and accepted the call. it was loren. dang was I shocked. we talked for a while and he promised me he had learned his lesson and as soon as he got out he was going to make up for screwed up time in his life. I told him to call as soon as he got out and I would see if I could fix him up with some cool Pontiac. he was all for it and I never heard another word from him. so sorry to hear about it. your right things will never be the same. it didn't matter what swap meet or car show we went to I knew I would always see the three of you together. how did Jamie take it as he was very close like a brother to him.