An update and report on the sale of an interesting car…………….
The first time I ran into this RS, Serial # 858, was in April of 2010 at Bruce Terry's shop in Monterey. Bruce is an old-time master metal-man turning out some world class projects, including Ferrari GTOs, 275s, Porsche Spyders and what not. He had been entrusted with the rolling chassis 'to make it straight and perfect'….. as only he can. That first visit to his small but efficient workshop convinved me that Bruce would be the gent to address some niggling fit and alignement issues on Ruprecht. Even though Bruces commission re #858 did not explicitly specify "no Bondo", his methods and attention to the smalest detail is such that the products out of his shop are renowned for their remarkable panel fit and need for an absolute minimum of filler (photo #1 ).
To this day I simply cannot understand the mean-spirited and stupidly negative comment some troll posted in response to my "Porsche-Picture-of-the-day" posting of this beautifully done RS after it was displayed in its debut showing at the 2011 Carmel-Cars-on-the-Avenue", effortlessly winning 'Best-in-Class' ( photo #2). This evil interloper, trying to sound as mysteriousas possible and as if he had privileged, double-secret knowledge mentioned something about "that cars name should be Chubby, enough said ". I can only assume this schmuck was trying to plant suspicion that the car was full of Bondo. That dumb response really pissed me off mainly because it was / is utterly groundless, uninformed, not based on personal observation nor experience with the project, and because it was completely uncalled for, out-of-line and unsupported by fact. Its that kind of purposely nasty shyte that has convinced me the internet and many open forums really do bring out the worst, most hateful side of some thoroughly unwelcome 'intruders'. Ron Gruener, the mastermind behind this restoration would never have signed off on Bruces' contribution to this restoration had it not measured up to his standards.
Last Saturday, while visiting EASY for the Nov.1st Saturday get-together, several of us took the obligatory walk to Fantasy Junction to check out the current offerings, and there in full Viper Green glory was #858 being offered for sale. Doesn't appear to have been driven much since '11, as it is still as pristine as when we all first saw it on Ocean Avenue. Listed at $900,000, FJ is holding a large deposit and considers the car sold, pending personal inspection and test-drive by the US client ( remainder of shots ).
JZG