[asphaltgambler]

Update - So the short story is: the current owner is a 'flipper' / hot-rod guy who's back 15 acres looks like a "car-complex". He has all sorts of stuff laying around and like 8 Corvettes - all C3 cars half of which are original 427's all in various states of disrepair. A '50 period correct lead sled that is proported to be a Barris original (and looks to be). Try a 1970 Buick GSX convertable with matching engine and trans (1 of 135) sitting out in the woods under a tarp. The list of stuff goes on and on and on.

He has a small body and mechanical shop to support his 'job'. The guy has a great reputation for being honest and fair. The same day I went and looked at the car, a close friend of his also saw it and wanted it so he gave him first right of refusal with a short time frame. Current owner gives his friend until yesterday to come up with the cash or fair trade. Friend could not come with the cash.

In the interim the current owner knows I have the money and am a willing buyer. This morning, owner is backing the 356 out of the shed so I can look underneath on his lift........... His mother stops by and sees the car............................................... .and has to have it.

So now he (and I) are in a pickle.......he says that he now wants to give the car to his mom for Xmas as a present because when he was a teenager he was constantly in trouble (including re-hab) and that they paid multiple ways/times over to get him straight and that he now 'owes' them. I know this to be fact because 2 months ago he bought his father a nice 2008 Duramax to tow the 1 year old gooseneck camper simply because his father mentioned he'd like to go camping...........................w/o the hassles

Owner then calls me and apologizes......... profusely..................................So I counter offer. I say how about I find and buy a nice BMW Z3 any color she wants, make it perfect and trade title for title for the 356. He gives the BMW to his mom for Xmas, I get the 356...... all is great.

His now discussing this alternate option with his father to see if this will fly. Stay tuned