Back in 1991, working for a security business, I had a customer who was a collector of aircraft and classic cars. He had a showroom at the local airport, where he displayed his collections. I always told him that if he ever wanted to sell a particular 1932 Full Fendered Roadster that he owned, please give me a call. This particular car was an all-steel original that had a complete body-off restoration in 1978. I oohed and aahed over the car for 10 years. It was never driven, just on display. Then, 10 years later……….
10 years later, in 2001, I was at a drive-in and saw the car again. I walked up to the car and saw someone sitting in it. I walked up to say "hi" to the owner, and found a different person behind the wheel.

He told me that the previous owner was seriously ill with prostate cancer and explained that he was selling everything off, including his aircraft, out of concern for his wife having to deal with them upon his passing. He was also assisting him with the marketing of his collections and indicated he had bought the 1932 Roadster from the owner. I said "Oh, darn!"
I explained that I had admired the car for over 10 years and, in stating that, he indicated he would be willing to sell it.

He told me what he was asking for it, and that evening I discussed it with my wife at the dinner table. Enthusiastically, she asked how much he wanted for the car. I confidently told her the figure and she paused and looked at me and said "You have to be out of your mind". So I dropped the subject quickly and finished my dinner.
The next day, unbeknownst to me, my wife called the owner of the Roadster and made an appointment to see the car. When she saw the car, she knew that it was meant for me to have it. The owner agreed to keep the car at his home until I could round up the money. It took 90 days. Then, my best friend, who lived two hours away, agreed to take the car to his home and hide it for another 120 days. Why, because my wife wanted the car to be my 65th birthday present.

On my birthday, friends drove us down to where the car was hidden. My wife had arranged with all my friends to be there and made them promise to say nothing about the car. There was a Mariachi Band and lots of joviality. As I opened one of my gifts, a tee-shirt, I noticed that it had a 2004 Hot August Nights (major Reno, Nevada car show) logo. Almost immediately, I heard the sound of a car horn that I couldn't place. I didn't react until the horn sounded without stopping. I looked at my wife and knew what was about to be a true surprise. I walked outside and there it was. My dream car. And it still is. We actually drove the car to Hot August Nights a few months later.

The undercarriage is completely finished, with chroming of every imaginable component, including the front and rear Jaguar suspension. One of the major interests for most people, and one that has promoted many awards – both by sponsored and People's Choice - is the hand carved monkey-pod dashboard (carved in the Philippines). Since I got the Roadster, I have made a number of improvements, such as new upholstery, subtle flames and pin-striping, ZZ4 engine and stainless steel exhaust.

As a footnote, the person who owned the car in 1991 has completely recovered from his illness and remains in contact with me. A nice way to end the story.

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