This is very hard to write..... the keyboard keeps fogging up.....
Frank and I shared similar experiences when we were both in our late
teens. We both worked in NJ selling import car parts, me up North,
and he down South.... selling to the same customers, we were
competitors at the same time. We both had Spridgets. We never really
figured out if we autocrossed against each other at Fort Dix, but I
think so. I had a green Midget and was always neck and neck with some
guy in a red Sprite... I suspect it was Frank. He smartly got out of
the parts biz, alas, but I smartly got out of NJ.
Decades pass, and we "meet up" in this cyber community of Spridget
owners. Me, out of curiosity and business opportunity, and he out of
pure pleasure of the cars. It wasn't long afterward that we met. One
couldn't help but be impressed by his knowledge and generosity.
Several more meetings, there and here, and some list shenanigans, and
I am presented with Gift Sprite. My first Spridget since arriving in
WI in 1977. (I had had many in NJ that I sold). The story has been
well told by Ron. Look for Gift Sprite in the archives. It is now one
of several that I have. I fell in deep, in large part because of his
"pay it forward" mentality.
SpriteSprees, Spridget celebrations, dropping "presents" off to
various Sprite owners, and even a kitchen remodel in PA, and of
course Carlisle in Pennsylrainia... All very, very good memories...
the stuff of legends.
As I think back... the keyboard vanishes...
...............Please, those of you who make it there this weekend,
say "goodbye" for me.
Frank, you did steal it!
Peter C
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