A little quick history on 8361. I am the 4th owner. I purchased it
from the widow of a dear friend, he had owned the car for 20 years and
only driven it 6,000 miles. The 2 previous owners abused it something awful
by letting people work on it that should have never been allowed near a
tool box.
Gary had planned to restore it when he retired from TWA, but leukemia
ended that dream at the age of 57. I bought the car in August of '97. I
knew it needed an engine overhaul, boy did it ever! The engine received
the maximum, new pistons, bearings, valves, guides, springs. Every system
was replaced or overhauled. The deeper I got into the car, I would find
that someone had already been there and managed to make a mess of it. Well
you surely know how it goes.
Budget, what budget? I had no idea what it was truly going to
cost. It has been an education (expensive education) and fun at the same
time.
We had a small party on start up day and opened a bottle of wine that
I had saved for the occasion it was called Phoenix. Rather appropriate
don't you think?