I was sitting at the computer and looking out the window Fri. afternoon when I saw a big white Suburban roll to a stop under the Oak tree in front of my house. An 11 year old boy bails out of the shotgun seat and is running toward my front door as the big machine pulls away. I begin to shut down the computer because I know what is coming.
For years this same boy has been running in to my house with the same phrase on his lips. It always begins with "Papa, can we..? It's always followed by somthing like "go hunting?" or "Go fishing?"or maybe "Ride the motorcyle?"
Today it was "Papa, can we work on my car?" Several years back he had been given a Studebaker out of my collection. It was only fair because I had given his older cousin a 63 Daytona. The only condition was they had to help me work on getting them restored to driver condition. This was a way to spend time with my grandsons and teach them somthing at the same time.
Josh's car was a 56 Flight hawk that PO had converted to V8 power and started modifying to look like a 54 coupe. Last Dec. I bought a 60 lark 2dr ht. It was pretty rough, didn't know if it would run, some parts had been robbed,so I was thinking Parts car.
Josh saw it on the trailer and fell in love. He said "Papa, I love that Car! I want it! I'll trade my coupe for it !"
I told him he could have either one he wanted but he still had to work on it. We discovered a bad starter and while it was still on the trailer we replaced it. In so doing, I dropped the starter which hit Josh on the head causing a gash which required stitches at the ER.
Josh still loved that car. We got it to run, put brakes on it, and started to make it presentable. A few weeks back I brought it home from the shop and parked it front of the house. Every day now after school, I know what's coming.
It's always "Papa, can we work on my car?" Josh lives just down the road from me so each day we get a little bit more done.
Sat. Josh was to be out of town on a project with the Boy Scouts so I started another project. A roof leak in my carport. I had a big hole torn out of the roof when Josh came home that afternoon. Same question "Papa can we workon my car?" My answer was "Sorry, can't right now. I'v got to finish the roof" In the next breath he asks "Can I help?"
So I put him on th roof nailing down ply wood, replacing rafters and fetching tools.. His Grandma called from town to check on us and see if we needed anything. Josh told her "Since I'm helping fix your roof, Will you buy me 5 qts of oil?"
Sunday, after Church Josh is again at my house. He heard Grandma was frying chicken. Sunday Pm he has fresh oil in the Lark and a NOS Western Auto oil filter (from my stash) .
This has been a good weekend. NT
For years this same boy has been running in to my house with the same phrase on his lips. It always begins with "Papa, can we..? It's always followed by somthing like "go hunting?" or "Go fishing?"or maybe "Ride the motorcyle?"
Today it was "Papa, can we work on my car?" Several years back he had been given a Studebaker out of my collection. It was only fair because I had given his older cousin a 63 Daytona. The only condition was they had to help me work on getting them restored to driver condition. This was a way to spend time with my grandsons and teach them somthing at the same time.
Josh's car was a 56 Flight hawk that PO had converted to V8 power and started modifying to look like a 54 coupe. Last Dec. I bought a 60 lark 2dr ht. It was pretty rough, didn't know if it would run, some parts had been robbed,so I was thinking Parts car.
Josh saw it on the trailer and fell in love. He said "Papa, I love that Car! I want it! I'll trade my coupe for it !"
I told him he could have either one he wanted but he still had to work on it. We discovered a bad starter and while it was still on the trailer we replaced it. In so doing, I dropped the starter which hit Josh on the head causing a gash which required stitches at the ER.
Josh still loved that car. We got it to run, put brakes on it, and started to make it presentable. A few weeks back I brought it home from the shop and parked it front of the house. Every day now after school, I know what's coming.
It's always "Papa, can we work on my car?" Josh lives just down the road from me so each day we get a little bit more done.
Sat. Josh was to be out of town on a project with the Boy Scouts so I started another project. A roof leak in my carport. I had a big hole torn out of the roof when Josh came home that afternoon. Same question "Papa can we workon my car?" My answer was "Sorry, can't right now. I'v got to finish the roof" In the next breath he asks "Can I help?"
So I put him on th roof nailing down ply wood, replacing rafters and fetching tools.. His Grandma called from town to check on us and see if we needed anything. Josh told her "Since I'm helping fix your roof, Will you buy me 5 qts of oil?"
Sunday, after Church Josh is again at my house. He heard Grandma was frying chicken. Sunday Pm he has fresh oil in the Lark and a NOS Western Auto oil filter (from my stash) .
This has been a good weekend. NT
'63 Avanti R-1384. sold 12/10.
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We've got to quit saying, 
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