RAC68
Darth Vader
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In 1963 I contracted for a brand new Austin Healey 3000 from a local Northern NJ BMC dealer that also sold Pontiacs. This was advantageous as it allowed me to trade my customized powder blue 1958 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible to cover a good part of the Healey’s $4,000 purchase price.
On that April 1964 day, I went to pick up my new car and was surprised and pleased to find a BJ8 (P1) instead of the expected BJ7 I had impatiently anticipated for over 3 months. That summer, a friend and I embarked on a 3 month “Route 66” type odyssey. With luggage on the rack and a total of $600 in our pockets, we eventually saw 23 of the United States and 3 Canadian provinces. Upon our return, I found, courted, and married my wife and a few years after, brought my son home from the hospital in a bassinet sitting on the rear package shelf (before today’s safety standards) . She had been my only ride for many early years and a 15 year sleeping beauty when a station wagon was more appropriate for my growing family. Reawakened, she was completely dismantled and refurbished during a 6 year effort that was completed in 1989. Today, she still challenges, entertains, and even babysits my grandchildren during club activities and parades.
Happy Birthday Old Girl and I hope to be with you for a long enjoyable time to come.
Ray and his 1964 BJ8P1
On that April 1964 day, I went to pick up my new car and was surprised and pleased to find a BJ8 (P1) instead of the expected BJ7 I had impatiently anticipated for over 3 months. That summer, a friend and I embarked on a 3 month “Route 66” type odyssey. With luggage on the rack and a total of $600 in our pockets, we eventually saw 23 of the United States and 3 Canadian provinces. Upon our return, I found, courted, and married my wife and a few years after, brought my son home from the hospital in a bassinet sitting on the rear package shelf (before today’s safety standards) . She had been my only ride for many early years and a 15 year sleeping beauty when a station wagon was more appropriate for my growing family. Reawakened, she was completely dismantled and refurbished during a 6 year effort that was completed in 1989. Today, she still challenges, entertains, and even babysits my grandchildren during club activities and parades.
Happy Birthday Old Girl and I hope to be with you for a long enjoyable time to come.
Ray and his 1964 BJ8P1