[DeTomaso] 2015 Fun Rally

[Charles Engles]

Dear Richard,


               Your personal commentary reminded me of this quote:


             "Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant
flame by an encounter with another human being." - Albert Schweitzer


               In your case it was the unique Pantera owners at the yearly
Fun Rally that reignited the fire.



                            Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles





-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at poca.com] On Behalf Of Richard
Greenblum
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2015 4:01 PM
To: deTomaso List
Subject: [DeTomaso] 2015 Fun Rally

All,


HUGE thanks to John Taphorn, Kirby Schrader, Gray Gregory, Bill Vasser, Fred
Foreman, Space City Panteras, Upton Racing, and everyone else that worked
their butts off to put the 2015 Fun Rally on for the rest of us.  It was
frig¹n incredible.  Despite the constant threat of weather on Saturday and
Monday, and the deluge of rain on Sunday, they pulled it off in grand style.
The hotel was very nice and well suited to the needs of the event, great
choice by the organizers.  The events were fun and informative.  The drives
on Sunday to the Gullo Museum, the restaurant, and Gray¹s ranch would have
been more enjoyable in the sunshine, especially for those of us with no
defroster and wimpy wipers, isn¹t that right Bill Vasser?  But, you¹ve been
in that situation before‹an awful time you just want to end turns out being
a wonderful experience.  In this case, arms tired of constantly wiping the
windshield to see the tail lights in front of you while water drips on you
through the window you must leave partially open for air.  Then the rain
breaks, the sun comes out and you, and all of the others, make it to your
destination with big smiles.  What was one of the worst drives I ever made
in my Pantera became one of the greatest. Very special thanks to John
Taphorn who convinced me at lunch (with rain dripping through the roof) to
complete the drive to Gray¹s instead of retreating to the hotel to dry out.
 
Gray¹s ranch was another indescribable experience‹the Gregorys are wonderful
hosts.  Many of us brought our cars into his shop and got some bugs worked
out by the unlimited knowledge base hanging around and visiting with each
other.  The food was really good, the picture taking session fun, and
spending time with Tom Tjaarda indescribable.  But as usual, putting faces
with all those email exchanges over the last few years was unforgettable.
The camaraderie of helping work on someone¹s car (including mine) was
priceless.  We can¹t let Mike Drew have all the fun!
 
My wife has always enjoyed short cruises around town, but otherwise not all
that into my Pantera. Well, that all changed with her first Fun Rally
participation.  When we were packing up the car to return home she said,
³We¹re going to the Fun Rally next year, wherever it is‹BUT you¹re putting
the air conditioner back in it! I don¹t want to be the defroster again.²
 
Finally, I have to say this Fun Rally was a game-changer for me.  The
Pantera was my only car for a couple of years back in the mid 70s.  It
gradually became something I played with on occasion, when I had the time.
I recently had it painted and that resulted in me only taking it out in
perfect conditions for some specific reason, like Cars & Coffee, with panic
at the thought of rock chips.  This Fun Rally brought me back to my senses.
I again know it¹s a car.  One that was created (thank you Tom Tjaarda) to be
a perpetual E-Ticket ride.  I¹m going to drive and enjoy it more than I have
in a very long time.  My daughter will inherit whatever¹s left of it when I
die.  In the mean time, I¹m going to have fun with itŠand of course, put the
a/c system back in!
 
THANK YOU SPACE CITY PANTERAS FOR AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.
 
Richard (& now Tammy too) Greenblum
Austin, TX
Silver US GTS