Well there is no easy way for me to write this. However I want the story to be told, so here it goes...
About two months back I lost my best friend to a heart attack. He was 51 years old, was an avid DSM enthusiast, a machinist (did the air filter housing for my 72 Colt), gun lover, motor cycle rider, HAMB radio operator and all around great guy. He was a cross between a father figure and a friend to me. He had a larger than life personality, and I enjoyed listening to his stories about life, road trips, racing, and the advice he always had for me. He worked at Chrysler for 25 years, Ironically working on the electronics for many of the vehicles that litter most of our yards/driveways.
Some years back he bought this car online from Colorado with a "bad" transmission. He flew to Colorado, bought the car, installed a new TCU (transmission control unit) and drove the car home to Alabama. Some time later he was down in his back and paid someone to do a timing belt, they botched the job, and the car jumped time, at only 65k miles! He was so upset the car has sat since. The car came with emails from the previous owner, where they were working out the deal, the Colorado plates, and Misc receipts and such. I'm planning to get it back up and running, and as close to stock as possible (I think it is bone stock other than HKS 264 cams). I refer to it as a she, because he always named his cars... This one is Candy, he ever stamped the name on the key... She's an Auto AWD, so I think she's pretty rare given the mileage. I'll be yanking the head to inspect the damage in the coming weeks. I couldn't stand the thought of someone picking her up to make a "race car" so I brought her home today...
Looks like a real nice car there.