The Mighty SPAD ...

https://i.postimg.cc/gknmHSmG/BB1bTsWb.jpg

Biggest snowstorm in years set to target Northeast

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/to...?ocid=msedgntp

Dad always claimed it was one of six built early in the year specifically for racing (five white ones and one black one). He had a lot of detail about the events leading up to the build and receipt of our car, and knew the other cars and even who they were distributed to.

I've studied this for about 45 years. Unfortunately, there's nothing in the documentation (build sheet, PHS) that confirms it, and I've found no documents on any of the other five (I had some leads but they turned out to be dead ends). It's not clear to me if perhaps it's something Dick Jesse told Dad to appease him for taking back our '64, or to help sell a car.

That makes it all somewhat circumstantial. It's just the right car, built with the right content, at the right time of the year, through the right salesman at the right dealership, with the right level of resulting performance. Beyond that I now try to focus on what can be demonstrated, that is: 5000 mile, original family owned, unrestored, etc.

K

Since I brought it up – perhaps a little discussion about our ’64 GTO is in order.

This car was given to us to replace our ’63 SD Catalina aluminum car that was taken away.

Basically, the deal was that the cars were provided to Dad to race (and as drivers), along with a Shell credit card for fuel and access to any factory part made. Dad held the plates and registration but Royal had a “manufacturer lien” on the title, which allowed them to provide and retrieve the cars at will.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1546448623

Our ’64 had been prepped with a show car paint job (which is another story for another day). When it came time for the Michigan State Fair, Royal asked if we would be willing to display the car on their behalf. Not seeing any downside, Dad agreed.

While the car was on display a potential customer took notice. One of the salesmen, apparently not aware of Dad's arrangement with Royal and seeing that they had the title, assumed the car was available as a demonstrator and was able to close the deal. The car was sold and, after the show, immediately shipped to the new owner, back east somewhere.

Dad came down early the next week to pick his car up only to find (this is the second time now) it was gone. After a flash of deja vu, this time he was not only frantic but he was royally p.o'd. Not only did they sell the car, but sold it complete with all his hop up tricks, headers and tow bar brackets still installed and slicks (mounted on wheels) still in trunk! He was furious and scared, at the same time.

Once again he found Dick Jesse: "Dick, that was MY CAR! I need some money, or another car...or SOMETHING!"

Dick, ever the consumate car salesman, calmly replied: "Van, I want you to settle down. Your new '65 is here."

Our '64 GTO on display at the State Fair:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...9.jpg~original

Here's the back side of that photo:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...9.jpg~original

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...0.jpg~original

One other little nuance, that tickled me when I noticed.

Dad had made a little display for me of the '65 GTO: a framed felt background with a couple photos, a new unused set of original keys, a time slip from Lapeer (International! Dragway), repop window sticker, and the original title.

I was looking at the display and noticed the license plate on the title: HW-1031. I thought "geez, that plate looks familiar".

Sure enough, I dug out the photo of the '64 and - same plate. Dad had transferred the plate off the '64 and it became the original plate for the '65.

Note - back then plates were due on Jan 1st of every year. That meant every person in the state had to renew their plate prior to the same day. In a shocking display of project management, the Michigan Secretary of State later changed the process so that plates became due on the registrant's birthday, thereby leveling the workload across the whole calendar year, which is how it is still done today.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1.jpg~original