I first saw this vehicle for sale in a magazine. I phoned and the gentleman who owned the car said he was a retired naval surgeon and the original owner. He gave me a detailed description of the car and asked me many questions. What he wouldnt say was the price, he just said " when you see it, you'l buy it! "
I knew what the going price was for this type of car so I had an idea of what he may ask for it. He sounded genuine so I flew to California with $12,000 in my pocket............we're talking 1980 here.
He still didnt give me a price, instead he said, "lets go for another ride, see what you really feel?
deal " He said he knew what it was worth, but the reason he had asked all those questions was he wanted it to go to somebody that would appreciate and look after the car the way he has done. He wanted me to promise him that I would send him a picture of it and what both of us did throughout the cruise season.
So I drove it home, the only problem I encountered which was fixed by me with the tap of a hammer, was the brushes had stuck in the generator.
I had run the VIN number through the Ford Archives. He was the original owner but...........The Hollywood Dealership supplied Ford Vehicles for the Warner Bros. TV Series " 77 Sunset Strip " which started airing in 1958/59 and finished in 1965. This vehicle was used in the 1962 episodes and was driven by Efram Zimbalist Jr, Roger Smith and Kookie Burns. Once Warner had finished with it, it went back to the dealer and sold as a new demo vehicle, so the first person to buy it would be the original owner.
The Naval Surgeon was delighted when I told him, he had no Idea from day one. He is still alive and I still send him, as promised, a yearly update.
I finally had the exhaust changed this August, it had lasted 40 years, the date was still punched into the whole system, proof that a dry sunny State has its advantages, the muffler shop just couldn't beleive it........ But the proof was right there. To date the milage is now showing 68,337 miles.