Wow 10 years has flown by!!!!

[Steve Shauger]

This particular car was a replacement for "My First Orange RS/Z28" which I had pursued for years (I did finally purchased back after a 26 year pursuit). Anyway this car was purchased in June of 1999 and it took me 5 years to restore. If you look in Member Rides 2005 you will find a thread.

Why did I sell it?
As many of you know, I have a burning passion for survivor cars. Well I had been pursuing a 7,000 black RS/Z for years and the original owner was ready to sell. I contacted a local collector who had been pursuing my restored black RS/Z and sold thecar. I had been preparing to pick the other car up and a few day before I was scheduled to pick it up, the owner called and informed me he sold it to a local fella. I remember feeling like I had the wind knocked out of me.

I figured my wife would console me, well that was a mistake in my thinking because for the next 5 years my wife and daughter had constantly reminded me “you never should have sold that car”. When the opportunity presented it self my daughter would tell our friends how horrible I was/am for selling thecar.

Fast forward 5 years to March 25th 2010 I unexpectedly received a call from Nick A. the owner whom I sold the car. He stated he was ready to sell and he wanted me to own the car. When I arrive at his house and saw the car, a deal was sealed within seconds.

Redemption and ThePlan!
At this point my wife and daughter did not know I bought the car, and in fact it was stored at our home under a cover like my others. My plan was to surprise both of them, possibly at a restaurant or next a cruise night which happened to ironically be April fools 4/1/10.

Ok, now that I have the car and a plan, I picked April fools day. The stage is set; I was to meet my wife at a restaurant parking lot where there is a cruise night (Wading River). I arrive at the cruise and park the RS/Z in an obscure area of the lot. I call my wife (on the cell) who was there waiting for me in her car. As I get out of my car I happen to see my friend Andy Z., the perfect accomplice. I quickly tell him to grab the camera and follow my lead. As we greet my wife I tell her Andy wants to show me a car at the cruise. She walks with us towards the car and I tell her its ours!!!!!!Unbelievable! My wife is overwhelmed with emotions of joy repeatedly stating I can't believe it, you got me. See Picture 1

Next is my daughter, she is at her friend's and is just starting to cook dinner. I tell her she needs to hop in her car now, because there is a car at the cruise night, and I need to make a decision about it immediately. I couldn't convince her, she became angry with me and basically hung up.Well she called back to say that she was on her way. When she arrived and finally spotted the car she was in disbelief that we got HER car back. As she began to realize what was happening it became a very emotional and joyous moment.
Pic 2

She's Back
It is very satisfying owning my car again, as I put my heart and soul into restoring. This car is a keeper, just ask my wife and daughter ……….……
Pic 3 One happy family

10 years later
It seems hard to believe 10 years has passed. Recently I displayed the car at 2019 MCACN, and spent literally 50hrs cleaning, correcting and adding some ultra hard to obtain NOS component touches.