We just got home from a side trip to Reno and Virginia City, and I have ten rolls of film to have developed, as well as about an hour of video to edit for the new GT/CS book DVD. How do I quickly write about such a great day for the GT/CS?
As everyone there expressed, the BBQ party that Mike and Robinette Jewell put on was a wonderful event. An absolutely beautiful day there for an event like that! I got to meet many great folks that I only knew by name all these years. The CS ownership puzzle together got a big jump in knowing people, and the car(s) they owned.
As cars showed up, the excitement built. Everyone stopped to see who it was, and what their car looked like. Different colors, wheels, and even one with an under-hood blower! As you see in the photos--the cars were parked in two rows, and it was almost dreamlike to walk through the middle. A very rare moment, indeed!! There were slightly modified versions, a few concours, and even one needing a lot of TLC. What was impressive was to see what was what on these cars, and it identified just how different each Mustang was.
The BBQ was excellent! A professional chef/radio DJ was there to tame two roaring fires for BBQ, too. Lots of salads, and then the cakes, which I brought (funny side note--there was a line to photograph the cakes). It was really, really nice ot see everyone, and I was very humbled (and flattered) by the attention and was only too glad to offer some information--if asked. There was a lot for me to discover and to learn for the book, too. At one point, I wondered if Donna would be the official person to photograph next to their GT/CS, as I was constantly seeing her posing here and there.....well, OK, actually twice! This may start a trend throughout the GT/CS world...
The next day--after everyone left, I had the opportunity to photograph Mike's GT/CS, that was up on jackstands, with only the rear end in, and the front suspension in place--without fenders. The 390 was on an engine stand on the side--all to photograph for the book. These photos WILL be a wonderful addition to the book, as the concours detailing on the underside was documented. Then, Mike brought out some Marchal fogs and wiring harnesses for me to document in great detail, too. Many questions that we've asked here were answered in one afternoon. Donna graciously lent her car for some interior shots (and trunklid weatherstrip), and while researching one of Tim's cars, discovered that he had an original (Deluxe Champion Firestone F70-14 whitewall) spare hiding in the trunk.I must have almost 300 photos of everything for the book.
You know how you see those ads on TV, where they say "I didn't know how I looked until I saw this photo, etc"....Gads! Man, I gotta go on a diet...from 225 to about 190! (I'm 6'3"). Well, but Obviously, that wonderful day was no time to start on a diet (and the next day's Casino Buffet at the Atlantis in Reno!!) LOL!!
I'm sure I'll think of more later, but I got this great feeling that we'll see each other soon enough. It's like an extended family now, and we have Mike and Robinette to thank for being the "location catalyst" for making everyone feel so much at home. Car shows are nice, but it takes a wonderful place, and welcoming hosts like them to make something like this happen. Now, I think we need to think about the next event...that is, for 2008 (the 40th year celebration).... One idea was to have a "GT/CS BBQ USA Tour!!"...or something like that. But that's for another time.
My thanks to everyone that attended, and for the graciousness of the Jewells for the use of their home. Who knows what will happen next year?
p.s. See? See? I take every risk to life (AND LIMBS!) to get the best underside photos to you, the CS owner!
Paul Newitt
