Visiting a fabulous GM car collection!
I was asked by a friend if I would like to go to view a "private car collection". Of course I said "Yes."
On Monday I met him and rode to the destination along with another person. I did not know what I was in store for and therefore went with an open mind to see the cars. When we arrived, I should have taken a clue by the fact that the collection was housed in a rather large warehouse. We walked in and were greeted by one of the latest acquisitions:
This beautiful 1957 Bel Aire, which will soon have a tube chassis and a new motor installed. The next thing I saw was a whole room full of Corvettes, old Chevrolets and various other General Motors vehicles. I mean talk about being in heaven - WOW. I will just let you look and realize that the pictures do not do justice to this collection:
Here is a view from above:
Of course there was memorabilia everywhere:
I have to say as I walked through the cars I saw a red object that caught my eye. Upon further investigation it was the "Miss Budweiser" unlimited hydroplane along with the trailer and hauler:
This is the Number 1 hull..
As I walked along there were cars that brought back many memories. I happen to love 1963 Chevys and this was a beautiful example:
In talking to the owner he told met that he "wanted to get cars with the big motors, available from dealers and stick shifts."
This Camaro was something I had never seen and I guess there were only 69 produced and all were spoken for in advance:
As we were leaving I noticed a white mid-year with a newer Z06 badge on the front fender and a C5 Logo on the front fascia:
Of course I asked for the story and was very amazed when the hood was opened and I saw what was inside:
This was a 'very fun car to drive' I was told. There are a few "gems" like this along with many originals.
Who could ask for anything more?. It is people like this that keep the hobby alive and well. By the way, I was told that all the vehicles are taken out and driven every few months. I asked if they needed any help and was given a rather large grin.
Whoever said "You can't get enough of a good thing" must have been talking about the car collection of Rick Treworgy. I went there one time and wanted to return before I left the parking lot. I called and asked if perhaps I could bring a few members of the Corvette Club of Orlando down on a Saturday to see the "toys." I got a "yes" and made arrangements for another adventure.
The club met outside of Orlando and headed south so Jackie & I could meet up with them along the way. We got to the rendezvous' point and only waited a few minutes for the others to arrive. It was then off with us in the lead and we headed down the road. All of a sudden I looked in the rearview mirror and saw only two cars behind us. After making a u-turn, it was oblivious that there was car trouble for Ted and Shelly. They had lost the serpentine belt and were basically stuck on this Saturday morning. Well as luck would have it I had an extra belt in our car:
.. and after we found some tools:
.. and we were off again toward our destination.
We arrived to see Rick's newest acquisition, this beautiful 1958 Impala convertible:
It has been upgraded with an LS1 Corvette motor and many other modern conveniences:
Yes, that is Jake Drennon from the C5/C6 Registry
.. 'Way to go, Rick! Here are many other pictures from his collection:
Look at what he found! Some people have to check it out:
This is the man himself, showing his hospitality to all:
As you know from my previous story, I was really impressed with the U-1 Miss Budweiser hydroplane. I found out that that if the motor was still in it, the Budweiser decals would have to be removed:
Rick also had to agree that he would never race it or allow any other hulls to be made from this prototype. Everyone was amazed when they looked out the door and saw another Miss Budweiser show up. This one I understand will be powered perhaps by the time you read this. How cool is that!
We even had time to pose for the obligatory "Group Picture":
.. before we left for lunch at the Captain's Table. All had a great lunch and the usual good conversation. From there it was on the motel for some of us and a leisurely pool event and dinner:
As the sun set on another beautiful day in Florida:
.. we realized why we moved here. See you all soon.
Oh; and if you'd like to visit the collection, it's now here www.musclecarcity.net -- and now open to the public!
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