Time for a re-introduction, I guess. And maybe even a really good story.

Howdy! I've been an inactive member of this forum for a number of years, but due to recent events it's looking like I'm going to be a little more active in the coming months. I'll explain...

Thirty years ago I spotted what would be my first car sitting on a street corner in front of the town hardware store. At 14, $2500 seemed like a lot of money, but the 1966 Buick Special was in need of some cosmetic attention and I made up my mind that I was going to be the one to take it on. It really was love at first sight. I busted my butt for two summers with a cold New Jersey winter wedged between 'em, cutting grass and shoveling snow, all with the end goal of owning that Buick one day.

One Saturday morning I was awakened by the unmistakable sound of a carbureted V8 revving in the driveway. I was now roughly 15 and a half and looking forward to getting my learners permit, and the old Special was weighing pretty heavily on my mind. The sound of that engine that morning... Could it really be? No, there's no way. I was still about $500 short. It couldn't possibly be.

I looked out the second story kitchen window down at the driveway below, and there I saw my Dad leaning out the driver side door of the Buick I had been working so hard to own. I ran outside in shock and excitement and all I could muster was "But... Dad... How? Is this really..? I..." Then he let me in on his little secret. "What you don't know, because I've never told you, is that MY first car was a 1956 Buick Special. When you told me you wanted this big, old car for your first, frankly, I was surprised and impressed. I hope you don't mind, but I withdrew the money you had been saving to buy it, added the difference, and now it's yours." I hugged my Dad so hard I thought his spine was going to snap.

I spent every day working on that car. This was pre-internet, so I spent a lot of time hitting shows and swap meets to make her whole again. I learned engine mechanics and got the little 300 V8 idling like a sewing machine. I polished the chrome fins on her dash until they shined like a thousand razor thin mirrors. I learned body work. I knew every nut and bolt intimately. I made that car mine. It was an extension of me, of my personality, of my fingertips.

I took my driver's test in all 17'3" of that American steel, parallel parking as though I had been doing it all my life. I was that comfortable behind the wheel.

Now, a lot happened after that, and eventually we parted ways for her own good. It was the only thing I could tell myself to let the deal go down (which I'll get into another time, and if anyone would really like me to), but the day she left for Illinois on that trailer was on of the hardest days of my life. I've thought about that car every day since that afternoon in 1994. So much, in fact, that it became an almost weekly ritual to scan online For Sale ads weekly, looking for a 1966 Buick Special in hopes of recapturing that feeling, feeling like ME again. Two weeks ago, I found one I could afford. I pick it up tomorrow afternoon. So I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone, and I'll surely appreciate any help along the way as I try to capture a little bit of my youth and happiness. ~Neil

 

That is an awesome story. Silver Ghost..... I like that.

 

Thanks! My friends named it that. It just kinda stuck. Can't wait until the "Ghost" rides again!

 

Great Story!! Keep us posted as you move forward with your Buick. Mark

 

I plan to! And I'm looking forward to all the knowledge and insight I gain from the members here. Its been 25 years (to the day, believe it or not) since I watched my car leave on that trailer. Never again.

 

Best story on here in a while. I understand your urge to give it another go, been there, done that. And I’m not letting go this time. Keep us up on your progress.

 

Welcome here from Long Island,NY.Very heart warming words,lots of luck with the now new car,Bruno.

 

Welcome back. The new "Blue Ghost"?

 

Welcome back! I'm a long time 66 owner as well.... 42 years now! Time sure flies.
I'm a fan of the Specials, great cars to mod how you want without worrying about keeping it original.
What are your plans for it?

 

Thanks, brother! The older I get the more I realize that remembering where you came from is all important. This is me reaching back.

 

Thanks, brother! Here's to hoping you enjoy watching my little journey as much as I'm going to enjoy being on it!

 

Negative, Ghostrider. I'm cloning my first, down to the last detail. I've already found the same 1991 model Pioneer AM/FM cassette player. She will be silver and black.

 

I'm cloning the car I built 30 years ago, down to the last detail. I'm making things right again.

 

Welcome, Great story. The Board is a great place to find info, and leads.
Fred

 

Welcome , Make it your own and enjoy the ride!

 

Welcome, start a build thread and keep us in the loop

 

Welcome from Washington State Neil! Cool story!

 

Welcome from Montana, and congrats on getting back into the car game! Very cool story, feel free to tell more.....most of us are always ready for "listening" to a good car story

 

Did you ever think about finding the original Silver Ghost?

 

I've tried, but 25 years is a long time and NJ DMV wasn't much help with tracking down the VIN number.