Okay, I think some of us are being a little hard on Dick. He has been a little difficult to work with, and didn't seem very anxious to help me, but as I've stated before, he probably has good reason for this. He said many people have contacted him and claimed to have old Dick Landy cars. Most of them were bogus and he's apparently the victim of many attempted scams. I guess we should actually thank him for weeding out the phonies. At this point, I'll be more appreciative of the authentication if I get it. If Dick weren't so strict and apprehensive, there would probably be a lot more "Landy" cars out there than were ever actually made. He's very busy and in demand and I'm grateful that he finally took the time to look my car over. He won't say for sure if the car was his until he compares the information and observations to the records he has back at his shop. His wife said he has very detailed information on file for every car he ever had. Of course he expects to be compensated for this service, but why shouldn't he be? I wouldn't expect him to do anything for me for nothing. I'm positive, also, that he would never take the money and do the authentication unless he was certain the car was genuine. I did have to follow him around most of the weekend and I was very persistant while trying not to be a pest. I apologized to him and his wife for this, and reminded him that he's the only one in the whole world that can do this for me. I assured him that I wouldn't have been so persistent unless I was sure that my car was genuine. It was Saturday afternoon before Dick finally checked out the car. At one point during the inspection, he kinda told me to shut up and go away, so I did. In the end, all's well that end's well. About the only positive thing he said was "It looks like my car." This was after he completed his inspection and was all I needed to hear. At this point, I'm very optimistic. It was a stressful weekend and after Dick finished, I just wanted to go home. I stayed anyway and put the car out for a while on Sunday becuase I said I would. I didn't feel my car deserved to be on display with all those beautifully restored cars that these people worked so hard on. I had done hardly anything to my car other than clean it up. I thought it was important that I kept it as original as possible and not give anyone the impression that I was trying to fake anything. In the end, I was really really glad that I put the car out. It did attract a fair amount of attention. I met some great people and got lots of positive comments and encouragement. Troy, it was great to meet you and I appreciate your help and advice. I hope everyone at DodgeCharger.com appreciates your time and devotion. When talking with the Carlisle crowd about the car, I was trying very hard not to refer to the car as a Dick Landy car becuase I didn't want Dick to get the impression that I was jumping the gun. Along that same line, Randy Bolig, of Mopar Muscle, agreed not to publish his pictures or story until we heard back from Dick Landy. Sorry to have rambled on for so long. Again, thanks to everyone at DodgeCharger.com for all the help, advice, and encouragement. Thanks to everyone at Carlisle that stopped to talk and check out the car. I'm so glad I stayed and put it out. Thanks, Daryl Klassen, for your comments and advice. Your '68 Hemi Dart is awesome. Everyone on the Carlisle staff that I came in contact with was as helpful as could be. It was a great and organized show.
Got my fingers crossed, Ron.
