A young car fancier

I don't know why this should come to mind at this time, but I remember a young person that was really interested in cars, especially sports and exotics.

My shop and parking area is separated from the road by a waist high cement block wall. One day I noticed a young girl standing on the other side of the wall looking over at the cars. There is a high school in the neighborhood so there were quite a few young people passing by each morning on their way to school. After I noticed this young lady looking at the cars another time or two, I went over and said "Hi" and asked if she was interested in cars. She said "Yes, and I am dreaming of the day when I can have something of my own". I invited her over to have a closer look and sit in a car or two.

She was a little "different", but in a charming way. She dressed a bit oddly and it seemed her stories were either exaggerated or, perhaps, fabrications. I wondered if she was part of a non-conformist "in group" at school or whether she was compensating for not being "in" at school. I suspected the latter. I did notice that at times she would come to the market next door with her father. He drove a Jeep Wagoneer with fake wood on the side. Maybe this was the source of her insecurity......;>)

Anyway, I enjoyed her visits and made her feel welcome and in time she seemed to be at ease and her conversation and stories became more normal. She really did enjoy being able to see the cars.

One morning, I was just getting ready to do a short road test and I saw her arrive at the market with her father. She came right over. The car I was working on was a beautiful periscope Countach. Monetary value aside, I think that I would rather have this car than any other that I have seen in the Islands. It is a piece of art. No wings or flares, it has a purity of design. I realize that these early cars are not that well developed, even Valentino cautioned against going very fast in the car.

I asked the young lady if she would like to go for a short ride. She flew over the wall, ran into the market, and returned breathless saying that her father said it was OK. I got her into the car, strapped in, and closed the door. Sometimes things happen just right. I had to stop at a red light, first in line. As it happened, this intersection was right near a hospital and a large group of hospital staff crossed in the crosswalk right in front of us. They must have been returning from a meeting or breakfast. This Countach is spectacularly striking and everyone was looking at the car. I watched this young girl out of the corner of my eye and she was just about ready to burst with excitement. She talked about that car and the experience for weeks. At some point, she must have changed schools or moved. I never saw her again. I hope she grew up strong and is driving something special now.

 

Hi Jedi

Thanks very much. I look forward to actually being at the shop for your next visit....;>)

Aloha
Larry

 

Hi Kevin

Thanks for the post. No, it was not me in the Pantera. That was probably Ed Kemper. He is one of the people responsible for the monthly car meetings at the Waikiki Yacht Club. I am still waiting to meet you in person......;>)

Hi Bill

Thanks very much for the kind words. It is tough to gauge the person behind the brief posts here in cyberspace, but Bill is the consummate car guy and has been an integral part of cars and racing in Hawaii for many years.

I think back and wish that I was aware enough and mature enough to appreciate the stature and importance of people like Pete Wimberly and Lindley Bothwell.

Aloha
Larry

 

Hi Kevin

Yes, both of these men were special people. I did understand that a little when they were both with us, but I just wish I appreciated them more at the time, a general life lesson I guess.

Lindley Bothwell ran a real functioning citrus ranch in California among his many other activities which included a huge car collection. He had connections with and provided cars for the movie industry in LA. He sold gift boxes in many of the hotel gift shops in Waikiki. The boxes were pineapple and citrus and tropical fruit. He had displays with wax fruit in the hotels and a tourist would order the box for folks back home. The order was sent to his ranch and the box would be packed and shipped from there. For years, I had a stack of his sample boxes in a corner of my shop and his bicycle hung from my rafters. He would come to Hawaii, stop by and get his bicycle and ride through Waikiki checking on all his outlets.At the end of his stay he would bring his bicycle back and I would hang it up until his next visit.

The prize of his car collection was the Peugeot that won Indianapolis (1913 I think). He loved to tell the story of top people at Peugeot coming to him and putting down a blank check in an effort to bring the car back to France. I just have to smile at the vision of him saying, "No thanks". He had enough money and he REALLY liked that car.