[SS427]

To clarify a few questions and put an end to the negativism, I will clear up a few things as I have recieved several e-mails regarding this car. I work 60-80 hours a week and do not have time to look at cars out of curiousity. I am requested from time to time to inspect cars for people of which many pay a fee for. Chad is not new to the musclecar world but has recently stepped up his collection and I have been helping him for many months with the documentation and location of cars. However, he is totally capable of taking car of himself.

As far as Clint's car goes, I am not here to, nor will I, bash anyone's car unless they throw the first punch. I was called at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon and asked if I could drop everything and go look at this car for a possible purchase. Per Chad, if it was what it was described as and in the condition it was described in, we would be signing a deal that night. I did not personally speak with Clint prior to leaving. I was also told the car had been certified as a real COPO and that in itself had put me very much at ease. We looked at the car at about 10:40 that night to which Chad did most of the talking. I simply gave the car a once over and inspected all the items I was being paid to look at. I immediatly found several items of great concern while looking at the car. Clint handled each of the concerns as a gentleman and made few excuses. On several occasions, he even asked and was very intent on learning from what I was telling him about areas of concerns. As far as Chad and I being cordial and shaking hands in the end, we were both VERY tired and I have learned you gain nothing by beating someone up (verbally not physically). That trip was a 43 hour day without sleep and I was tired and just wanted to get home. This being on the heals of a 36 hour day only the week before doing the exact same thing.

In my conclusion, I found nothing there to prove or disprove the COPO claim. All the pertinent driveline part numbers and dates on the car were suspect but I never once accused Clint of scamming anyone nor did I feel he was attempting to do that. In my opinon, the car was an easier restoration as a rebody and we all know how we feel about that. I have been restoring cars since 1976 so it was just my opinion and that only. Chad had made his mind up about the car long before I ever gave my opinion to him as most of that was only discussed on the way home. The car maybe had potential, I just did not feel it was right for us. Clint is not new to the musclecar world and knows a lot about them, I just felt this car was over priced based on the fact of what I saw.

Enough negativism, let's move onto the next car and find some more diamonds in the rough.
Rick Nelson