The widow next door, junk in the basement, a story about our wives

[notfarnow]

Part 1

I was in Montreal this weekend at my dad's place. Between working on his Carrera and going downtown for the Grand Prix events, one of the things on my "to do" list was to check out my dad's neighbor's basement.

She's in her 80's, but we could only hope to be as fit, alert and active when we're in our 60's. I met her last summer... she was out for a walk and saw me working on dad's car in the driveway. She came over to chat about cars. She and her husband had owned a really amazing series of sports cars over the years, and it was a shared hobby they both enjoyed. He died the year before.

Dad and his wife have her over often. While I was visiting this weekend, she came over for supper. While other chatted about kids, dogs, houses... she and I kept veering back to talking about cars. Smart, witty and a good sport... I have a bit of a crush on her.

She brought over some pictures of the cars they owned over the years. How's THIS for a "wish list":
- Jaguar XK 120 very early aluminum body
- Mercedes 300SL gullwing (black)
- Porsche 356A coupe
- Porsche 356C coupe
- Karmann Ghia w/ Okrassa supercharged engine
- Lamborghini Jarama
- Lamborghini Urraco
- Fiat Dino Coupe (holy %#$@ that's a pretty car!!)
- Alfa Romeo 2600
- Alfa Romeo Montreal
- Maserati Ghibli

The next day we went over to her place to sort through some of the tools and parts he had. It had already been picked through by some family and neighbors, but none of them were really into cars. She just wanted it to go to an enthusiast, I and left with A LOT of stuff.

It was kind of uncomfortable, really... sorting through a lifetime's worth of tools and spare parts. The guy kept an imaculate, organized shop. I felt a bit like a tomb raider, especially when I came across his "homemade" tools: cut down tools for tight corners, and things this valve adjustment wrench:


I think it was a bit cathartic for her, having somone go through the tools and talk about them, instead of just selling them off to strangers at a yard sale. Some tools she'd recognize and relate a story, other's I'd identify and say what it was for. That would trigger a story about a certain car or a certain trip.

At one point we were pulling down boxes from the rafters, and I spotted an old wooden box and pulled it down to have a look. It was his childhood meccano set. She had heard about it, but never seen it in their 40+ years of marriage. She wept.

It was an emotional moment, that's for sure. The whole morning was very touching, actually. This wonderful woman didn't just tolerate her husband's lifelong hobby, she enjoyed it with him. They shared it.

Seeing those tools, the car pictures, hearing her stories... it was very striking. It made me think about how much my wife tolerates my car fiascos and fool's errands. No, not tolerate... supports, and perhaps even enjoys. Was this MY wife in 50+ years?

The whole experience made me very appreciative of Mrs Notfarnow. I think many of you can relate.

[Rikao4]

thank you for taking the time to listen to her memories,
take her for a spin.
Rika

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

thank you for taking the time to listen to her memories,
take her for a spin.
Rika

ha!

Part 2

This July, my father is taking a ~1200 mile roadtrip in the Porsche from Montreal, to my house, around Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail, and then to Newfoundland. Dad's wife is flying to Newfoundland to meet him there, but can't do the ~8-10 day roadtrip getting there. Guess who's going with him?

They'll be staying with my wife and I for 2-3 days, and in the meantime I've got some car & racing paraphenalia that I'd like to get in the "right hands".

I'm really not sure how to approach selling this stuff. Whatever I get for it, I'll use to buy her a nice gift. She likes a good scotch (did I mention I have a crush on her?) so some recommendations would be helpful.

I told her I'd make sure this stuff goes to enthusiasts, so I'm hesitant to ebay it. I'd like it to go to people who will enjoy it. If it's worth a few bucks, great.

I'll give you guys first dibs, as long as your plan isn't to "flip" it on ebay. Buy it if you want it.

I have no idea what this is worth, so again, any advice is appreciated

[notfarnow]

Porsche or VW?
Going to- Widebody911



Monaco GP race programmes (in french):
1966, Sold to - Masraum
1968, Sold to- NeilK
1970,
6" x 9"


Adac 1000km Rennen - Nurburgring programme (in german): 1962 Sold to - Masraum
6" x 8"

[Jims5543]

My wife "puts up" with my car thing and at times its a lot. She never said boo when I bought my 911 even though I totally did not need it, she has also never complained once (well maybe once or twice) when I disappear for a weekend to play car with friends or do a track DE or AX out of town.

I have begged her many times to do some Autocrosses with me and I think she might finally do one when my son (15) does his first. We may even get the little one a Kart so we can all participate.

When I sold my 911 she took me out to dinner the night it was loaded on the carrier to go to its new owner. She knew I was smarting and wanted to make it a better evening. Selling the car was totally my idea BTW we both knew it was a sound decision considering the economy right now.

Jake, thats an awesome story and it sounds like you handled it like a gentleman. She obviously is a good friend of your family and I am sure she was happy to share her past with you. Thanks fro sharing.

[masraum]

I love memorabilia. Let us/me know what you have available.

It's awesome that you and your dad are able to help her relive her fond memories.

[Neilk]

Je parle francais, so I would love to have one of those Monaco GP programs. What do you think would be appropriate?

[masraum]

How big are those programs?

[notfarnow]

Lambo guide 63-73
Sold to - srandallf
7" x 10"


Countach leaflet:
Sold to - srandallf
11" x 17"


Uracco leaflet (2):
11" x 17"


Uracco parts guide:
9" x 14" ~35 pages



Jarama 400 GT spec sheets (2, in italian)
8" x 11"


Lamborghini 250GT October 27, 1970 "press release"
8" x 11", 18 pages

[JayG]

Thats wonderful. You just never know about people sometimes. You see a little old lady at the grocery store and you dont think she has probably been barrelling down an interstate in some vintage Lambos in the 70s.

What a great neighbor to have for your parents!

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Je parle francais, so I would love to have one of those Monaco GP programs. What do you think would be appropriate?

Really not sure... any idea what they are worth, ballpark? make an offer.

Edit: whoa, maybe I should check these out a bit:
http://www.formulaworldshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=69_78&sort=20a&page=4&zenid=a72558edfa73d8f4b26db04a11f3a7c0

I still want these to go to pelicans at a large discount, I just want to make sure I'm not onloading a valuable item for $5. Anything I get will go to a nice gift for the widow.

[Rikao4]

Roadtrip in the P, perfect !
really nice tale, with more to come.
Well done!

Rika

[Porsche-O-Phile]

How cool - looking forward to seeing what you discover. Some of those brochures and so-on look to be fantastic pieces of automotive history!

[notfarnow]

Fiat Dino posters & folder
posters are 16" x 23"
spec sheet is 11" x 32"







"Forza Faza" Fiat accessory magazine/catalog
titled: "Faza Fiat-Abarth-Lancia Bible, 5th Edition" 1976 192pages
Sold to - gtilove
8" x 11"
really cool read!


Faza 2 sided poster, 18" x 24"
Sold to - gtilove

[notfarnow]

Alfa 2600 repair guide (in french)
covers: Engine, clutch, transmission
102 pages
8" x 12"


14 issues of "alfisti": Newsletter for the Alfa Romeo club of Canada (~1982-1985)

[ramonesfreak]

wonderful story !

I would love to purschase the:

Lambo Guide 63-73 7" x 10"

and

Countach Leaflet 11 x 17

but I have no idea what they are worth. If your interested in selling them, shoot me a PM with your price. Thanks

[notfarnow]

Watkins Glen programs:
8" x 10"

National Glen Classic 1963
The Glen 500 1964
Six-Hours and the Can-Am 1971 (has a great piece by Stirling Moss) Sold to - masraum



These brought a lot of memories for her. They'd drive down in their 356 and camp out.

[notfarnow]

Lancia Scorpion leaflet:
8" x 11"



Maserati Ghibli leaflet:

[Aerkuld]

I have a few programs from past British Grand Prix's and similar races from the 60's and 70's that are in just the same sort of style that your Monaco programs. They were my Dad's (and probably his Dad's) and I think he was going to trow them out until I told him I wanted them. He'll probably kick himself if the prices on that website are representitve!

To give you an idea about the age I have a program from a Grand Prix class race held at Aintree. The last time the full Grand Prix Circuit was used there was 1964!

[berettafan]

Neat stuff!

Don't mean to suggest you take more of your time but i'm sure there are Italian car nuts on whatever the Ital. version of Pelican is who would really enjoy this stuff. I can imagine if it were Porsche related and you offered it for sale on earlyS you'd be buying one damn nice bottle of scotch (more than one most likely!).