"My Dad's Car"

[dbackg]

Excellent post.

Thank you for sharing.

[GT38]

I've heard of others trying to find old cars they have owned. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being successful.

I have not been able to find my first car (a 1966 Pontiac GTO, which I bought new), but I did find my second car, a 1966 Jaguar E-Type roadster. After searching unsuccessfully for 10+ years, in 1987 I bought another E-Type roadster (which I still have), but every now and then I'd still think about trying to find my original Jag. In 2006 I googled the chassis number, which I knew by heart, and the very first search result turned up the e-mail address of the owner - in Switzerland! The owner, Christoph, answered my e-mail within a few hours, and yes, he still owned the car. I made it clear from the beginning that I was NOT trying to buy the car back, but that I just wanted to know that it still existed and that it was in good hands. After two years of e-mails, we finally arranged for me to visit his car. We spent eight hours driving it in the Swiss Alps - an unbelievable experience. Little did I know when I sold the car in Big Spring, Texas in 1972 that I'd be driving it in the Swiss Alps 36 years later!

I still had some original documents from when I owned the car. I made scans to keep, and gave the originals to Christoph. I can't describe what it was like to see and drive the car again. Looking it over brought back memories of work I'd done on the car decades earlier. It still had the same Delco alternator my Dad & I had installed when I was home on Leave from the USAF during Christmas 1970 - miraculously allowed to remain on the car by Switzerland's inspectors. Christoph also has a beautifully restored Daimler SP250 Dart - and two sons! So both the E-Type and the Dart are destined to stay in the family for decades. The car could not have gone to a better home, and I couldn't be happier!!!

At an overlook on the Pecos River & Highway 90 West (NW of Del Rio, Tx), summer 1970.


My wife & I back in Phoenix for Christmas 1970. This was when I replaced the Lucas alternator with the more reliable Delco. Can't believe the AF let this skinny kid fly their jets!


My '66 GTO and '66 E-Type at our apartment in Big Spring, Texas, summer 1971. The dog is Cosmo - a Boxer-Beagle mix that was the smartest dog I've ever had!


At a park in Sonora, Texas, summer 1971. We were expecting our first child then - Team Jeff's older sister!


At that time I was an instructor pilot in the Northrop T-38 Talon, which we referred to as the "White Rocket". My buddies joked that I had my own White Rocket!

[GT38]

36 years (and 36 pounds!) later in the heart of the Swiss Alps...

With current owner Christoph behind the wheel, we launch off for eight hours of driving on some of the most beautiful roads in the world - in one of the most beautiful cars in the world!


Visiting Wilhelm (William) Tell in Altdorf, Switzerland.


Posing with a glacier.


Happy to be behind the wheel again after 36 years!


Christoph left the last Texas inspection stickers from when he lived there. The speedo was converted to KM to satisfy Swiss regs.

[BlackICE]

Great stories.

I don't have my 1st car anymore and don't care too. Still have my 2nd one though, as a DD beater. I think my FGT will be with me forever.

[Kirby Vieira]

Terrific feel good stories...Thanks for sharing...Happy Thanksgiving!

[2112]

Wow GT38

That story is worth a write up and submission for publication. Even if it is just for a higher end mag like Automobile or such. I hope you do it.

I also did not know that Team Jeff is your son. Learned a few things in this thread.

[GT38]

Wow GT38

That story is worth a write up and submission for publication. Even if it is just for a higher end mag like Automobile or such. I hope you do it.

I also did not know that Team Jeff is your son. Learned a few things in this thread.

Thanks - and Jeff is a MUCH better driver than me!!!

[soroush]

very touching story!

I remember my dad's 65 mustang when I was very young he had it for 9 years before my mom made him sell it :) so what did he do after? bought another mustang! haha, and all this in IRAN not exactly a country were mustangs were plentyfull. so I guess my ford blue veins run deep!

[ChipBeck]

A great video. I love stuff like that.

Chip

[Chris A.]

GT38...that is absolutely one of the best posts ever. Thanks for sharing.