Welcome Dave Eshelman

I am a newcomer to the world of Italian cars. I bought my first 850 out of a barn is SW Iowa in 1996. It was a mess: the passenger door has been bashed in by a hog, half of the motor was in a box, the floor boards were non-existent die to rust. etc... you get the idea. I have been seriously working on it since the fall of 2001, and have made decent progress. The motor was rebuilt by Shade Tree Enginetrics in Dallas (it now pushes about 90 HP....WOW), I made and welded in new floor boards, the body has been straightened and repainted, etc... (I'll include a picture or two.) I bought my second 850 this spring from Flagstaff, AZ. I got it home a couple of weeks ago with no rust and in licensable condition.

Dave Eshelman
2730 SW Gainsboro Rd.
Topeka, KS 66614

John Houchin's Fiat X1/9 

I first saw this car in Tulsa in 2001 driven be its original owner Steve Brantinghon. Little did I know it would soon be for sale. All I knew was that it was one of the best on the road and he was very proud of it, rightly so.

Now John in Norman was looking for a Fiat. He has been with the Roamin' Chariots since the beginning and starts to talk of this X1/9 for sale in Tulsa. Much to my surprise it was this very car and I could only say "snap it up". He did. It went to good home.

The next thing we know is John is buzzing south with the rest of us to garner prizes at the Taste of Addison show in Texas. He has installed a new radio and keeps the car in first-rate shape.

On July 12th an anonymous driver hit me in a parking lot and forces me to learn some body working skills. The plan is to pull it out and repair the skin. Failing this, I will replace the fender.