Thinning the herd

[sfdaugherty]

This thread is to to introduce a new roadster owner. My friend John "Buddy" Lorio purchased my 68 1600 SPL-20462 that has been in my family for 41 years. Since Buddy took possession of the car about two weeks ago, I've heard of several roadster sightings so he's definitely driving it.

This car was my Dad's. He purchased it in San Jose California in 1970. It went with us to Kansas, then on to Illinois and then to Connecticut before my Dad called me in 1986 and told me to "come and get it". He had been having overheating issues for years (he never replaced the fan clutch) and he said it finally wouldn't start. I towed it back to Purdue University in Indiana and, the day I got the car home, fiddled with the starter wires and it started right up. I told my Dad and he said he wanted it back but that was never going to happen.

I took the car with me during my Navy career and drove it from Virginia Beach to Albuquerque in 1995 after I left active duty. On my way to Albuquerque, I stopped in Knoxville, TN (where my Dad had retired) to show my Dad the new paint job and Revolution wheels I had added to the car (and to give him a hard time about it never overheating anymore). My Dad got a real kick out of seeing the car again. Unfortunately he passed away a few years later and never got to see me increase the size of my collection to 4 roadsters.

Buddy has been interested in purchasing the car for a while and, even though the car has a ton of memories for me (I remember riding in the back luggage area as a kid), it was time to let it go. It's only a few miles away and Buddy has given me first right of refusal if he ever decides to sell it.

The car is pretty original except for the paint and the Revolution wheels (I gave him the original wheels with the ORIGINAL spare tire). I also had to replace the original transmission (with Buddy's help) about a year ago to fix a 2nd gear synchronizer issue. It even has an original exhaust system (a 1969 version). It had just 65,000 miles on it when Buddy drove it away and probably has 1000 miles more today.

I told Buddy that I was going to start this post as a way of introducing him to all the great roadster owners. He and I plan on taking his car and one of mine to Solvang next year.

Please join me in welcoming another great roadster owner.

Shannon

[ACote]

Sounds like he got a great car. I don't think I've seen pics yet. Welcome to the friendliest car forum I've seen.
Way to go spreading the Roadster Bug!

[windy311]

Welcome to buddy.the story of your car made me say with joy,it must have been hard parting with your dad's old car.he bought it the year i was born.

[notoptoy]

Welcome aboard Buddy. Way to pass the torch and keepit lit too!

[sleepyzzz]

that was a great story. sounds like you have taken care to have another roadster owner start out with a very nice ride.

[duff me]

Great story, sounds like a great car. And now Buddy knows who to blame for the piece of gum some kid stuck on the side of the luggage shelf 40 years ago.

[johnlorio]

Thanks for all the welcoming messages. I look forward to meeting you all. Shannon and I are planning to go to Solvang in April. Sorry for the tardy reply, just got my home web up after a fried modem and I am just now registered on the forum.

You can see pictures of the 1600 posted by Jerry on the day trips thread. Shannon, Jerry and I took three roadsters up the mountain Sunday and jerry's brother, Zachary, shot some photos. Really a fun morning. We stopped by the coffee spot where the moto crowd gathers and got a lot of nice conversations with the motorcycle folks.

Just in the few months I've been into these cars with Shannon we've come across a 69 white 2000 sitting in a parking lot at an apartment complex and a red 69 2000 down in Ruidoso. Also one of the moto guys said he had a 2000 in his barn. There are several more of these cars out there in Albuquerque --let's hope we can get some interest going with their owners or else Shannon and I will be doing roadster rescue.


Buddy

[pebbles]

Welcome Buddy, its great seeing the enthusiasm surrounding the "collection" there. Owning a roadster with known origin is a plus!

[johnlorio]

Knowing the history makes this car very special. I'm just a steward, as Jay Leno said, we don't really own these cars as much as steward them for a time. I'm amazed at how fun they are to drive -- reading reviews from the 60's always dismissed them but I think they were the shot across the bow that the Japanese were a force to be reckoned with.

thanks for the welcome

buddy

[EarlQHan]

Pictures?! Very cool. Glad the car found its way into good hands.

[sfdaugherty]

You can see some pictures of the car on the "Where did you drive this weekend" post on page 22 and 23.

I was able to drive the car yesterday to get a VIN inspection since Buddy was out of town. I've already told Buddy that I want it back.

Shannon