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| Newsletter | Bill's Excuse (Accepted This Time) |
ThanksChristmas Luncheon Pictures |
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| Newsletter | Bill's Excuse (Accepted This Time) |
ThanksChristmas Luncheon Pictures |
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From Bill Lambert:
A funny thing happened on the way
to the Roamin' Chariots Christmas Luncheon.. I was pumped. I've
been a member of Roamin' Chariots for a year or so now, but, I've
never met any of the members. But today was the day. The Big Gathering
in Bartlesville, OK. A meeting with the rest of the members...I
would no longer be a phantom on the Internet. And Betty was Ready.
Betty, my 1983 Pinn., was primed and washed. But, Betty is a lady
of challenges. For those who haven't heard Betty is named after
the US War Dept. designation of the Mitsubishi R-9...a WW2 Bomber
notorious for its' beauty, and its' ability to lose parts at a
moments notice. Betty was just back from an extended stay in local
garages...mine for a year waiting for money...then another year
in restoration and just general waiting around for parts. I have
to admit she looked great...today She would meet her new friends
X1/9, 124, and Lancia. We traveled to the meeting point in eager
anticipation. Now here they are Ron, John, and Delmer...instant
rapport. We talked over coffee, then, on to Bartlesville for more
friends and good food. Betty was a little rowdy, but, we continued
on en mass. About 10 miles or so down the road...BOOM...John (behind
me starts waving me)...believe me I Know there's a problem...she
glides to the side of the highway...I quickly get out and looked
under the carriage...hoping to find a dead possum. But, where
the differential used to be was a gaping hole belching fire...and
parts. The drive-shaft lay flacid on the ground. My new friends
were now running down the road to help...with 2 fire extinguishers.
John dived under her and put out the flames....Thanks. I was on
my cell phone speed dialing AAA. We all gathered round Betty's
lifeless body and lamented "must have needed oil " in
her fancy limited slip differential. But, the dinner was waiting...the
boys excused themselves when they found that the tow truck was
on the way. I hope the food and comradeship was good...I was almost
there. When we got home in the tow truck and Betty was eased in
to her birth in the garage...Mary, my sweet, long-suffering wife
muttered something about wanting to take a hammer to "that
car" and put the money pit out of its misery. Then we went
to eat spaghetti at Fazzolis'.
-Bill Lambert-
ed: Not only was this happening with the cars stretched out along a half a mile but we also started a grass fire near the interstate, which the fire department quickly extinguished. I kick myself for not grabbing my camera along with the fire extinguisher but preserving the Pinnin won out over my journalistic side. It was half a mile back when I thought of it.
So we had drama and danger. We swapped parts
for commerce and met new members for camaraderie. We had Capm
Woody for bravery driving in an old coupe back to Florida. We
went from a topless drive up to freezing and wind to take the
paint off going home. We had it all. For these events we have
used a B&B that gives us a catered meal in nice surroundings.
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