Intermeccanica B-B-Q

Just back in town after a week's sojourn to Canada for the Intermeccanica customer appreciation B-B-Q. The 'Q' itself was attended by quite an array of past and present replica owners. You could tell the ones waiting for their new cars because they were still drooling with anticipation AFTER we ate!

As a prospective customer myself, I found it interesting to be able to see cars built in 1976, 1978, through the eighties and of course still 'in the jig'.

As was said elsewhere on this forum, the word 'kit' really doesn't do these cars justice. While the earlier IM cars were a bit primitive by todays standards, their owners had every right to be just as proud of their little gem. They all showed pride of ownership and on the ensuing adventures into the backwoods of Victoria, all performed flawlessly!

Thank you Henry and all the party-planners. It is as simple as this; get in your cars and drive them. If you want to belong to a club fine, but don't look for acceptance, look for open roads!

Hey Paul;

Glad to hear you had a safe and fun trip to IM. It seems that your killer ride performed as you had intended.

What was your favorite stretch of road during your road trip? I realize that there were probably many through the northwest that come to mind, but is there one that is most memorable for you?

Were you able to let "Butch" stretch his legs and did you have the opportunity to "surprise" any unsuspecting wannabee racers?

I'd enjoy hearing of your road trip escapades.

Peace - Out!

Paul and I, with my wife drove together to and from the Intermeccanica BBQ. It was a blast, I wish more of the SOC members in the pacific northwest would have attended.

Paul's car was a phenom. During the freeway portions of the trip, he would sometimes linger or drop back a half-mile or so and Michele would say "slow down so we don't loose Paul" or "don't you think we should wait for Paul?" I'd laugh and in a couple of minutes he and Butch would come blasting by with a big grin on Paul's face.

Paul zoomed around a Jeep Liberty on the way home and the Liberty driver, knowing we were driving together, came along side, shaking his head with a smile and made a "zooming" gesture with his arm and hand. (had to be there) We of course, just shook our heads and gave a smile and an "oh well" gesture/shrug of the shoulders.

Butch has the best sound, a little loud for me, but you always knew where he was. You should have seen the looks in Vancouver as we followed Henry to the hotel.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of Intermeccanica and they will be in a new shop. Come to the BBQ and go on the drives, everyone is welcome and it is a great time. No dates announced as of now.

Getting caught up... Open roads with sweeping vistas, craggy rock formations along the coast, in line with numerous other enthusiasts traversing former logging roads on Victoria Island. All great.

My biggest kick on the roadtrip was watching Shin photograph our cars hanging out of a Ford Exporer or standing up in a Mustang convertible, all at speed most of the time.

Funniest moment among many was listening to Brooks Walton recount his driving experience with me in his rear view mirror on the twisties. I have to learn to pay closer attention to driving and do a little less sight-seeing.

Most frustrating moment occured when two of us got locked up in some high-speed opportunities and I had to yield to 'New Paul' attitudes and I got my butt-kicked by a fellow club member who will remain nameless, but whose credo is obviously death before dishonor or who put those two yellow lines here and why for Chris'sakes?

If you got 'em, drive 'em!

Sounds like a fun road trip, Paul!

I, too, usually like to keep the double-yellow lines on the left side of the car!

Peace - Out!

Up here they are more like suggestions .. guidelines even. You need to be able to use your discretion. Which I