Thanks Verne & Tom

ORIGLS6 · #1 07-16-2009, 05:39 PM

Just wanted to say Thank you to Verne Frantz, and Tom & Chris Payne for a fun day Wednesday. Don Stowers, Rick Nelson and myself took a road-trip to Eastern Illinois to visit the shop of Tom Payne while Verne is there visiting and working on his latest purchase. (I'll let Verne give the details on that one.

)

Tom gave us the tour of his super cool shop and some of his cars. Tom's wife Chris furnished some mid-morning snacks, then we were off to a local restaurant for some good down-home cooking. The Payne's were great hosts and I think we've convinced Tom that his '66 L79 Chevy II belongs at the SCR this year! (Most likely at the track on Friday.

)

Again, Thanks to Verne for the invitation and to Tom & Chris for their hospitality. All 'Good Folks!'

**WILMASBOYL78** · #2 07-17-2009, 12:21 AM

Did Cumby buy lunch..??

**Salvatore** · #3 07-17-2009, 12:28 AM

Mid morning snacks........T-Kakes, Goods potato chips, soft pretzels (with mustard and Kwizz) and good old Pa. Dutch Birch Beer with some Rosenbergers iced tea thrown in.

ORIGLS6 · #4 07-17-2009, 01:00 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Did Cumby buy lunch..??

[/ QUOTE ]

In Sammy's honor, we went "Dutch".

**SS427** · #5 07-17-2009, 06:05 PM

It was a great day and with great hosts. Lots of nostalgia in that shop and the way Tom decorated it was beyond imagination. One of the neatest items was actually out doors in the dirt! Post the pictures Cumby! Very cool! We will be going back in a few to tour a local Warbird museum and then off to the shop to see more cars and bench race. As Cumby said, thanks Verne for the invite and also good luck with the new project, it was sweet to say the least.

**SmallHurst** · #6 07-17-2009, 06:16 PM

Tom is one cool cat and I have seen pictures of his garage-mahal. I would not need a house if I had a garage like that!!!!!

I met up with Tom during the Pure Stock Drags and he is very well thought out on all of his plans and his cars. He has that little grocery getter L79 Nova running strong. Of course he is on Goodyears!!!!!!

Verne_Frantz · #7 07-18-2009, 05:46 AM

It was great to have the visit. Enjoyed every minute. I'm glad you guys went to the trouble to come down and had a good time too. Tom is at Road America now helping another friend race his vintage car.
As for my new vehicle..........well, it's not much different from most vehicles; it has a steering wheel, throttle, motor, trans, a windshield, lights, seats, horn and even some original wood. It glides along as if it was floating. Ohhhh, and it's a convertible. Manual top though.

ORIGLS6 · #8 07-18-2009, 06:15 AM

So the shake-down cruise went well?

JoeG · #9 07-18-2009, 12:32 PM

[ QUOTE ]
It was great to have the visit. Enjoyed every minute. I'm glad you guys went to the trouble to come down and had a good time too. Tom is at Road America now helping another friend race his vintage car.
As for my new vehicle..........well, it's not much different from most vehicles; it has a steering wheel, throttle, motor, trans, a windshield, lights, seats, horn and even some original wood. It glides along as if it was floating. Ohhhh, and it's a convertible. Manual top though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Comon',...Any photos of this soap box racer.....

Verne_Frantz · #10 07-18-2009, 08:21 PM

The shakedown went fine. The old '58 V4 runs great and she handles like a dream. Tom and Chris both went along. Tom kept busy filming and bailing (she tends to leak, so some sealer along the keel is in order). Chris was my navigator as we searched for some lakefront homes and she provided lunch for us. It was a great trip (all 3 days)

Leaving for our maiden voyage

At speed (note that she still has her original cowl tag)

A happy captain

Sir Cumby, I'm sure it would be OK with Tom if you posted some pics of the "lawn art".

Verne

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.