OK... so, it's not mine. This is a shared car, and she's gonna see the country!

Seemed peculiar at the time... but in the end, it's perfectly normal. Got this car at 'friend price', but the friendship was made after the deal was made.

New ES. 1973 model year. Originally orange, crappy red paint job. But that's OK.

Man, I just love people. Been working out arrangements with this car for a couple weeks. Finally came to an arrangement a couple days back. See car and buy it Thursday afternoon/evening, get a place to stay, then go back Friday to resurrect her and drive her home.

Sven (I'm going with Svenna) hadn't run in more than 3 years.



Armed with 4 tires, some tools, some parts, a battery, we got out of town on Thursday, late. About 2pm. Svenna was about 200 miles from home. Secured a room for the night an hour from where the ES was, then went on to see the car. Got there about 7pm and met 'Jim'. Wonderful guy. Looked over the car a bit, but didn't do anything but meet/greet, get title, then head back to the room for the night.

Svenna is a wonderful car. Minor issues, but she looked great overall. Honest 91k original miles, never wrecked, minor rust in normal places. Structurally immaculate. And Absolutely totally unmolested. Dead nuts stock.



Turned out, Jim and 'Kathy' have a brand new C30. A modern car who's lines I just love. The retro version of the ES. And even more oddly, they won it in a charitable raffle. Man, good for them!



Went back to our room that night, had lots of fun gambling and meeting people... and headed back Friday morning. Got a temp registration in a nearby town, and back to the car to get her running. Really, not much to it. 4 tires, a battery, and drained the tank and gave her some fresh gas.

It was approaching 4pm when we finally got the tires swapped and fresh gas in. Jim had been at work, but pulled in moments before I was ready to twist the key for the first time. Great timing!

We chatted a bit, then came the moment of truth.

Svenna fired up instantly for the first time in 3 years.

It was late, and had to head for home.

200 miles through the mountains of Colorado. Yay!

But we didn't get out until near dark:thirty. So decided to see about getting a room for the night at one point. We did. After securing the room, I went to move the ES, but it wouldn't start. Dead battery. Guess the charging system in non-op. No biggie.



Swapped batteries this morning with the support vehicle (longer story than need be described now), and off we were, yet again.

Roads I've never taken, even though local. A car unlike any I've ever driven. Tight, solid.







I just can't say enough about this adventure. It was simply a pleasure, all the way along. Great cars, Great people, Great scenery!

And great to be home.

And the clock works.












--
-Matt I ♥ my ♂