1964-1974 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Yes, it all started with the parts car.
When asked about the color, I refer to it as "what's left of the original green." My wife uses harsher language like "ugly" but, needless to say (especially in its current condition) pretty it ain't. My wife was more or less unfamiliar with the Sonett III and, in hindsight, the '72 parts car probably wasn't the best way of introduction.
She was actually in the house when the wrecker was dropping it off. As it was coming off the truck I heard her start laughing. That kind of laughter is never a good sign. Somewhat excitedly I said, "Honey, can you see it?" She said, "Yes. That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen." We went out for dinner later that night and as we drove by it in the driveway she added, "You don't really like that thing, do you?" Thankfully, it came with a car cover which I dutifully put to good use to avoid unnecessary ire from friends, family, neighbors, as well as town, county, state and federal authorities.
Throughout my search I came across a number of cars in various states of decay but very few were nicer sounding than one particular '71 out west. The price was a little higher than I wanted to spend since I'd have to pay a lot to have it shipped to the east coast...but then came that first picture. I'd actually forgotten to ask the color (odd, I know) and when I opened the file, sure enough there sat another green Sonett. I proceeded to show the picture to my wife since I'd told her that I'd located a car in excellent condition. When she turned to look at my computer, she just started laughing again and offered no further comment. None was needed.
Next came the parts manual with the green SIII on the cover. More insult to the injury that was my seemingly endless search.
Bill is right in recalling that there were a few other green Sonetts interspersed in the story. I didn't give any of them serious consideration since they weren't in very good shape but it did reach a point where I was certain that my runner would be green...something that would be a very hard sell for my wife. It did strike me as odd that it so closely resembled the color of myriad kitchen appliances available in the early '70s. Bill and I compared some notes and had a laugh about our parents' kitchens.
When I showed my wife pictures of Barney, the '73 CA Burgundy car, which were taken by Tom Cox the day he went to take a look at it for me, she just said, "Oh, now that's a much nice looking car than yours. Is it the same body style? I mean, its still ugly but much less so than yours."
Wonderful! lol Is that a screaming endorsement or what?
-Eric
P.S. Barney is now parked in our garage. :) Now I just have to wait for her to get home from Florida on Wednesday night to see it! lol
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