2/11/09
Scotch and Cigars at Radcliffe Motorcars
I've been meaning to make it down to the Baltimore area and when I called Richard
Garre of Radcliffe Motorcars to tell him I would be in the area, he
invited me to a little get together he has at his shop once a month.
After a day of turning wrenches on the cars, the guys at the shop along
with some good friends share a meal and watch some racing videos with
some cigars and single malt scotch. Before I accepted Richard's
invitation, I asked if I had to take my testosterone pills before I was
allowed to attend, but he assure me it was not that kind of party! I
had a great time with Richard, his wife Patty, and all the guys talking
cars, over a "wee dram!"
A familiar face at the shop was Mark Dempsey's 365GT 2+2. Mark and I
drove this car to Cavallino just over a year ago, and she was there to
freshen up the transmission with new synchronizers and some clutch
parts.
As Richard took this transmission apart, there was evidence of someone
else being inside. There was no significant damage caused by the last
mechanic, but he certainly was some ham fisted repairs!
Seeing Mark's car reminded me of the good times I had during a long
distance trip in a Queen Mother, and prepared me for another one I was
about to take. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a potential new
owner of a Vintage Ferrari. Tom Budinger was about to put a deposit
down on a 365GT 2+2 in Phoenix, and he contacted me to ask my thoughts
of driving the car home. One question led to another until he asked if
I would be interested in riding along with him from Phoenix to his home
in San Francisco. I felt if the car checked out mechanically during the
Pre Purchase Inspection, I saw no real problem driving the car home.
After agreeing to go along for the ride, I realized I had to prove my
words!
Without driving back home from Baltimore, I headed directly to Phoenix
to meet Tom, and our transportation for the 800 mile trip to the Bay
Area. This trip had the potential to be a trip of a lifetime, or a
nightmare, and I was hopping on a plane to find out!
Just a reminder, I'm looking for a
new Vintage Ferrari Project. If you have, or know of a restoration
project, please let me know. It would be great to restore another car
on this website! My E-mail.
Previous
Restoration Day
Next
Restoration Day
Home page