Chapter 1 - The FindÓ
ÓCopyright 2006 David Brandt
The aerospace engineer sat in the uncomfortable chair, staring at the empty computer screen. He swallowed two ibuprofen with a swig of Dr Pepper and hoped it would quell the spasms in his back from the ergonomically incorrect chair. There was a blank windows desktop on his computer screen, ready to accept commands. Like most other days, this one had offered little to do, and what work remained was slacking off as more and more people took off for the holidays. It wasn't that he was lazy. When there was work, he attacked it in almost a frenzy, and completed it quickly, while covering all the analysis that was required. There just wasn't that much work. He had tried several times to create things to do, and had repeatedly asked for more work, but when it became evident that his asking for work was making people uncomfortable, and that nobody paid any attention to his long periods of inactivity anyway, he reluctantly gave in. "Oh, well," he sighed. "If they want to pay me $80,000 a year to sit here waiting for the phone to ring, or for someone to have a problem, that's OK with me."
It was a lie. Afflicted with a mild form of ADD, a condition that was unknown during his childhood, he needed activity. Even something as simple as manipulating spreadsheets was enough to soothe his restlessness, but nothing grated on his nerves more than the long periods of boredom except doing something that had no purpose, or that did not have a visible product that emerged. He felt as though the long periods of inactivity were slowly draining his life force.
He had decided that he needed a hobby at home that would let him work out his frustration. All that money from job shopping all those years had set up quite a retirement fund, and left him with a sizable fortune in "play" money as well. He now worked as a direct employee to take advantage of the benefits, and, ironically, because he needed the activity.
Driving home that evening, he stopped by one of the local used-car lots to sample their wares. Having always enjoyed the tangible benefits of working on cars, and hoping to use his engineering skills for something besides filling out paperwork, he had decided he needed a hobby car. A fellow employee had recommended Bob's used cars as always having a good selection and a good deal. He wondered if maybe the guy that made the recommendation was planning to go to work at Bobs.
He parked near the entrance and began browsing. There were the usual beater Toyotas and Hondas.. cars that were moderately old and worn out, but that were still quite dependable despite their high mileage. There was certainly a good selection of trucks, consisting mostly of small trucks a few years old whose owners had decided they "needed" something bigger. There were a few full-size trucks, too, including a nearly new looking 1970's Chevy that was marked $9,000. Those had recently become collectible. By this time, Bob, the owner, had caught up to him.
"Hi, there. Welcome to honest Bob's used cars. I'm Bob Banks, the owner. Anything I can help you with?"
"David Christopher," the engineer replied. Dave started looking about as many people do when approached by a used car salesman - as if seeking someone to rescue them from a trap. "Hmmm," Dave thought. "A psychological response? I wonder if everyone does something similar. Might be a good thing to study under a government grant." After a quick handshake, he continued; "Right now, I'm kind of window shopping. Looking for more of a hobby car then anything else. Something that needs a little work, but more mechanical work than interior or body work."
He had obviously caught Bob a bit off guard with his specific answer, and Bob seemed to appreciate it. "I keep a few like that around back," he replied, "and I try to pick one up at auction every now and then when I see something unusual. Were you looking for more of a classic, an antique, something modern, or what?"
Now it was David's turn to be taken aback. His opinion of Bob went up a notch.
"I don't think I'd like anything too modern," he said. "Too much in the way of plastic and computers.. too hard to work on. Besides, I have absolutely no desire to hang around the teenage set that typically has those kinds of cars. I also don't want an antique for a first project car. I'd stand to lose too much if I goofed up. On the other hand, I don't want a run of the mill car. I'd really like something unusual."
Bob's eyes lit up. "I've got just the car for you! Come with me." He led David off towards the back of the lot.
David was skeptical. He'd heard that line before, from everyone from realtors to used car salesmen to employment agencies. They all had "just the right" opportunity, car, or house, and it was never anything even close. He still got a little mad when he thought about how he had followed up with a realtor that had "just the right" house for him - it was in the city (he liked more isolated country settings), with almost no yard (he liked having land), near all the bars (he didn't drink - he hadn't ever seen alcohol do anything good for anybody, except make money for the people who sold it). Still, despite his skepticism he decided he'd give Bob a chance, since after all, he did have hobby cars in inventory. He wasn't too hopeful, however, especially of finding something on the first day he was looking.
They approached the back area, which was protected from view (and theft) by a high fence. The fence had screening on it, required by city code. The area was typically used as a garage and storage area by used car lots, and was usually not that visually appealing, so the screening protected the lot's inventory to some extent, as well as maintaining a better looking neighborhood. They walked past a Mercedes Gazelle kit car, and a 1960's vintage Datsun minitruck. Then, as they rounded the corner of the fenced-in back lot he saw it. His eyes opened wide and his mouth went slack. He soon realized that Bob was indeed leading him in that direction.
"Here's something that is definitely unique," Bob began. "These were only made for a few years, and they have a very distinctive look. They have an ECM, but they are still fairly easy to work on. And they have dent-resistant panels on the outside, which is nice."
Bob didn't need to go any further. David recognized this car instantly. A Fiero. A 1986 GT model, in fact. There had been a big deal about them when he had been starting college. They had a number of new technologies incorporated-space frame construction, dent-resistant panels, mid-engine layout, new gage styling, not to mention a really cool shape. He remembered how frustrated he was when GM killed the project. Like the EV-1, another of its celebrated "experiments," it was snuffed out in its prime. This wasn't quite as bad, though. At least there were Fieros left. They were careful to never sell an EV-1, but just lease them. Then, despite a waiting list with thousands of names to buy cars like it, and constant public pressure, they recalled all the cars and sent them all to the crusher. A precious few, they stripped and then sent the shells to museums. Despite it's great success, they used their PR machine to brand it a "failure." It, too, had the dent-resistant panels. And it's aerodynamic shape lived on for a short while in the Aurora, but that was all that was left. Something similar had happened to this little car. It was simply too "different."
Immediately he knew he had to buy it. First, though, Bob was finishing his spiel. Dave managed to assume a neutral expression before Bob looked back his way. He hoped Bob hadn't heard his sharp intake of breath. Then he listened politely, trying not to look too anxious. He'd never get a good price if he gave away that he was sold already. He didn't want Bob to know that Dave had lost "walk-away power."
Bob continued his spiel. "The only thing about this car, though, is that it doesn't have an engine."
That brought him around! "Excuse me?" David exclaimed.
"Let me explain," Bob said. "I buy these things at auction for people who want projects, such as yourself. Since they are over and above my usual purchases, and they will be modified by the customers anyway, I'm able to get good deals by buying stuff that usually won't sell to a typical car lot owner. Take a look in the engine compartment" He proceeded to pop the decklid.
David couldn't believe his eyes. The engine looked like it had been surgically removed. It was the cleanest engine compartment he'd ever seen. All the harnesses were neatly zip-tied to nearby supports, and the transmission bell housing was covered. The luggage compartment was stuffed with boxes and some strange looking electronic gear.
"I bought this one because it was so clean. One of those boxes has the flywheel and a new clutch kit in it. It's ready for whatever powerplant you might care to put in. And, if you want to go back to the stock configuration, you can do that too, because all the wiring and plumbing is still in place. And I'll throw in whatever those electronics are for free. It's in perfect condition except for the missing engine, but I only paid $1500 for it because the engine was gone. I'll sell it to you for $2000. That'll fund my next trip to get a hobby car."
Still cautious not to reveal how anxious he was, David poked around and asked some questions, including the inevitable "Where did you get it?"
Bob's face got a faraway look. "I always thought it was a little weird. I'd been to the local auction down on I-44 for some new inventory, and had been wanting to get a hobby car while I was there, too, because someone had just bought a nice '66 mustang that I had. Unfortunately I didn't find anything interesting at auction that day, so I headed back with an extra space on the carrier. I fully intended to pack it in and look for another hobby car the next week. Then, on the way back, I passed by an estate sale sign down in Catoosa. What made me turn I don't know, but I decided to investigate. When I arrived I saw this car for sale in the yard. I got an interesting story along with it."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense," replied David.
"Seems this car was a project started by some famous old aerospace engineer. Used to work at NASA back in the days of Apollo, then went on to work in quantum physics research for a while. They said he was researching new and exotic methods of energy production and propulsion. Stuff that was really "out there." Anyway, he retired in the late '80's all of a sudden, and lived in that house out in the country ever since, til he died suddenly last year. He had no living relatives, so his lawyers sold off the estate. He was really reclusive, and rumor has it he worked on "projects" all the time." Bob chuckled and continued "I met some of the neighbors. They even think he was still working on secret research, but for the feds this time. CIA or FBI or something like that."
Now they were both laughing. "At any rate, it certainly has a colorful history," David concluded. "And that's a good option with any car. Will you take a check?"
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