Oh Lordy, I now own a Fordy (a Lincoln actually)..

[njsteve]

The car has 85,000 miles and EVERY piece of paperwork imaginable.

Here's the kitchen table full of invoices, broadcast sheets, warranty ID cards, even three pairs of my grandfather's prescription sunglasses, running the fashion gambit from the 1950's RayBans to the 1970's Elvis glasses.



The original bill of sale:




And here is a neat archival piece - the big bosses at ABC noting their negotiations with Ford to get Simon a 21% executive discount on the car. Interesting factoid: L Martin Pompadur is a mega-millionaire, media mogul now.

[njsteve]

Each of the 50th Anniversary cars was built to order. Here is the 24 carat, gold plated plaque and the personalized one next to it with Simon's name:





Simon was the consummate tinkerer. Even though he wasn't a mechanic, he gathered a ton of materials to really help me with the car, two generations later:



Here's close up of the trunk lid with the "OK Paint" stamp still in place:

[njsteve]

And the engine. It's the 460/365 horsepower, premium fuel 10.5 to 1 compression, 500 Ft/lb torquemonster.

And yes I finally own something that is supposed to have a Ford "CAUTION FAN" sticker on it.







Oh, and for you detectives out there. Notice anything strange about the A/C system???

[njsteve]

Here's some archive photos of Simon:

With Nixon in 1971. (Simon is the one with the suit that fits. He was always an impeccable dresser.)




With Jack Kennedy and a very pregnant Jackie Kennedy before the 1960 Nixon/Kennedy Debates that ABC sponsored.



Here's a cool behind the scene's shot of a nervous looking Nixon on the teleprompter while a very relaxed Kennedy responds to a question:




In Israel in 1971 drinking martinis with Golda Meir, and Yitzak Rabin

[njsteve]

I have spent the past week, changing the 15 year old oil, replacing the Champion plugs with Autolites and replacing the right hand exhaust manifold gasket which had blown out years ago and the dealer didn't want to fix...Amazingly, every single exhaust manifold bolt came out easily - none broke off.

The funny thing about this car is the reaction you get from people. I am used to driving musclecars and getting the "thumbs up" from the forty-something and younger crowds who see me drive by.

I have had this yacht for less than a week and everywhere I go it is the 60, 70, and 80-somethings that are waving at me. It's hysterical! My mechanic buddy is threatening to find me a "Huggy Bear" outfit to wear while driving it.

[Xplantdad]

That's cool as heck Steve!!