One man's opinion

[sYc]

Before reading, remember, this is just one man's opinion. I offer it only as "fruit for thought".

On another thread, it was noted that after all, they are only cars, and montetary driven. I respectfully disagree.

To me, it is not all about the cars and money. If it were, I would sale out today. To me, it is about having breakfast with Helen and Nancy Gibb the morning of the Gibb reunion. It is sitting around the dinner table with Valerie Harrell, watching her go through boxes of her dad's stuff, some for the first since his death. It is meeting the Berger family and touring the only Supercar dealership left. It is hearing the tone in Dave Libby's voice when we first visited about the '68 FC. It is meeting Thomas Stephani and hearing about Nickey. It is about meeting Donna Mae, Hope, Warren and other Yenko personalities. Who can forget the first reunion and listening to Ed Lowther. Boy, do I miss him and his stories. It is about all of the other great people I have met, since becoming a part of this hobby. That is a very long list. If this is not enough to convice you, then come to Alton, MO and spend time in my supercar museum. Hold a business card taken from the billfold Dick had with him when killed. Touch the very t-shirt (Yenko Stinger) that Don gave the Gibb family, or try on Don's racing suit or helmet. Thumb through Martha Yenko's family Bible, or Frank's appointment book. Sit in the seat of the '83 race car and put your hand on the same shifter that Don's hand rested on. The list is endless. Ask anyone who has been there, it is a walk back in time.
If it were only about the money and the cars, I would not have worked so hard to find a real Yenko. To me, a real Yenko is one that Don acutally was involved with, such as the '83 IMSA Camaro, Don's last race car. There are 100s of Yenko sold cars out there, some even sold by Don, but few of Don Yenko's cars. To me, no Yenko collection is complete with out one. It would be the last Yenko to go. To me, the DH fc is not just a hunk of fiberglass, it is a part of Dick. As with Don's race car, it is priceless to me. As much as I enjoy my other supercars, none are as special as these two.

With this said, I think everyone can see why I am so involved with this hobby and thus, at times get a little upset. Thanks for your time, Tom

[copolocater]

Tom then you must understand the position that we were in.Our car was for sale at chevyvettefest.It wasn't until Miss Gibb looked at the car and made some comments in front of us that that position changed.Please lets not get into the he said she said.Sixtiesmuscle does have a personal relationship with us but as there are others who are friends we have butted heads heatedly on certain subjects.I wish some of the info that has been shared on this board would have been shared earlier and maybe this would have never happened.Tom you must admit that even though there maybe a love for this hobby most of us have made money.If I sat here and listed any financial records you would see this hobby or business we are involved in now myself and my father would be bankrupt.So with us its not always about a few dollars.You have to understand also that for some people to put together a private collection they have to buy and sell other items to better their collection or to buy other items.I'm not speaking for Mike but there are a few items if not many you cannot pry from his hands.Try to buy his Nickeycars or his Yenko chevelle.I've tried.Some others can only afford memorabilia or other items.So when we get involved with a situation like this there is always a financial aspect.It has to be an accepted fact.Another gentleman who I have not always agreed with has for free of charge extensivly researched the Dick Harrell funnycar free of charge.He has put into the last three months enough investigation to last three years.Some people might make the comment (that we were there) why didn't he contact us.He is like myself I haven't spoken to Joel,The Stephanis,can't speak to Don or many others as we have found out for one reason or another some information that has been provided in the past has not been correct.We use the information we obtain and make our decisions from the sense we have been provided.I know this should not be discussed here but I am using this situation as an example.We at that time had no choice but to take the car off the market to do a little more research. We will provide that info on the Fred Gibb / Dick Harrell site to anybody who might have an interest.We purposely did not put anybody in any position.I have already apologized to the Gibb family for any hurt it may have caused them.But remember Tom some of the people that were there were prominent members of this site And I thank them for their input in this situation.Yes there was some money thrown around but they also like us just are after the truth.If you would like to move this post you can do so.Yes I have made the comment about leaving this post but there are people on this site that expect me to respond.Tim

[69rsss350]

Maybe it is not my place to respond, but whenever anybody says it is not about the money, it is always about the money. Tom, I have no doubt about your love for the hobby, that is very obvious and I for one appreciate it. Since I have been a member of this site, I have discovered that most of the members are men with money that are able to pursue their love of their past. I think that is great. I also have come to believe that these are the same people who have inflated the prices on these cars to a point to where only you can afford them. So, yes, I do believe it is all about the money. Not in the sense that I believe that is the only reason you pursue this hobby but in the sense that you have it and you ain't selling unless you turn a profit and a substantial one at that. There are only so many of these cars out there and it is a sellers market, for now. Tom, the simple fact that you mention that only Yenko cars that Don had something to do with are different, special, more valuable or just more interesting means to me that you think that they should be worth more. Your opinion obviously affects market value as you are an influential person in the hobby. (Re: Douglass* Yenkos). I say, more power to you, because I totally believe and love the American way. The one who dies with the most toys still dies. Try to remember that and then drive it like you stole it because if you don't, than, isn't it just about the money? If you don't race your funny car is it because of the money or the memory? It is only original once and if it can be restored once then it can be restored again. All comes back to money doesn't it? So please, don't say it isn't about the money, because it is. Things (read CARS) are only priceless if you don't NEED the MONEY. Just this man's opinion. I just hate to see the bickering and animosity. Hope I didn't offend because that is not my intent. Mike

[sYc]

Mike, no offense taken, but before passing judgement on me, such as how much money I have etc, I wish you would get to know me first. Come to Alton and see first hand how I live. I am by no means rich, just blessed, and willing to sacrifice other materials things in life in order to pursue a dream. I did not buy any of my cars in restored condition. Each was/is done by myself, family and friends. Evidently you have not seen me, or my sons, drive our Yenko Camaro. I think I can honestly say that it is the "hardest driven, most abused and raced" doucmented Yenko out there today. And I hope to have a 3 car Yenko race team sometime in the near future. As per the race cars, If I can get a SCCA competition license, the IMSA car will be part of the Vintage Road Race scene. The future of the funny car depends more on what tracks and safety of the driver will allow. But, I did not buy a 1200+ HP blown/injected big block for it just to show. I think this should prove that it is not about the money, as these cars can not be insured while competing. And honestly, if it were about the money, certainly this would be the time to sell. Tom

[shor]

Action shot!

[shor]

[shor]

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[69rsss350]

Tom, I would consider meeting you an honor. I certainly hope to do so in the near future. Spending time with you and your sons is definetly on my TO DO list. My post was not meant personally, just as an editorial per se on the society (no better on God's earth) in which we live. It is a pleasure to me to be associated with you and this site. It verifies my obsession in my mind and believe me, I need reinforcement for the amount of $$$ I have put into this car and am continuing to do so as we speak. Waco High School Class of 1970, Waco, Texas.

[shor]

Where else but at the SUPERCAR REUNION can we find two real 69 Yenko Camaros(with two more yenko's waiting behind) smokin the tires and lining up at the staging lights for the trip down the 1/4 mile and memory lane?
Thanks.

[sYc]

Shor, thanks for the pics, shows that I am not the only fool racing one of these cars. WOW, what a day. Does not get any better then that, at least in my book. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Tom