The Torch Is Passed

[68BabyBlue]

Yesterday, I crossed another bridge in my Mopar journey, and sold Baby Blue for the second time in 30 years. For those of you who aren't familiar with what is now my former '68 GTX, she was my second of six, purchased from her second owner in 1983, and sold 8 years later. In 2013, she came back to me. The circle continues, and once again, I passed her on to someone who loves her as much I did.

This decision was hard. My hand wasn't forced, but I felt I couldn't pass up the chance to see the car go to a great guy who would continue to preserve her, and eventually pass her on to his son.

Baby Blue was a manual steering, manual drum car. In 2013, I got a rush out of that physical connection with the mechanical components. Now, as I approach 70, the power steering, power disc brakes, and automatic in my Hemi car appeal a bit more.

When I first looked into buying the Hemi, the fact that it had a previous owner who had driven it until he was 88 years old, and that the seller had adapted it for wheelchair use, sold me on the car. This is one I can enjoy until the end.

My buyer had approached me in years past, but I wasn't ready until the Hemi arrived. He will be posting as a new member on the site shortly. I assured him he will get a warm welcome here. Pictures below: With Baby Blue, 1991; With the Hemi, 2021.

 

[Richard Cranium]

 

[haywire 440]

Your passion for an unbroken circle is admirable.

 

[65Bel]

Great story! Past and present, both cars are very impressive. Best wishes and happy hemi-trails to you and yours!

 

[Hey-O]

Life is full of opportunities, those given and those taken. It's just great when one brings on the other, as it should be!! Congrats on new found happiness for both!!

 

[Pikser]

Outstanding !

 

[ruffcut]

 

[moparedtn]

Just about the highest compliment I can give an old car owner is that they are a good steward of a car.
Think of it as the exact opposite of the "I do what I want, don't care how rare it is" types and the "I'll be
dead, who cares?" sorts.

The good steward takes the best care of the car he can; he shares it with others and is happy to gather
and share the story, the history, of the car with others in the pursuit of that.
Finally, a good steward does his best to see that the car, its' story (with his own now added!) and what it
represents to the hobby be passed along to the next proper steward.

Needless to say, you - @68BabyBlue - are a great steward. I salute you sir!
May the hobby be infused with thousands just like you...

 

[68BabyBlue]

Ed, thank you for your kind words. You, like many others here, know how much of my life this car had accompanied me through, the ups and downs. I really thought I would have her till the end, but when I met another GTX guy who met your definition of the good steward, I knew what I had to do.

Just about the highest compliment I can give an old car owner is that they are a good steward of a car.
Think of it as the exact opposite of the "I do what I want, don't care how rare it is" types and the "I'll be
dead, who cares?" sorts.

The good steward takes the best care of the car he can; he shares it with others and is happy to gather
and share the story, the history, of the car with others in the pursuit of that.
Finally, a good steward does his best to see that the car, its' story (with his own now added!) and what it
represents to the hobby be passed along to the next proper steward.

Needless to say, you - @68BabyBlue - are a great steward. I salute you sir!
May the hobby be infused with thousands just like you...

 

[moparedtn]

Ed, thank you for your kind words. You, like many others here, know how much of my life this car had accompanied me through, the ups and downs. I really thought I would have her till the end, but when I met another GTX guy who met your definition of the good steward, I knew what I had to do.

Yes sir, I surely do - which makes your good deed all the more worth emulating.
I can only hope to be able to do the same when the time comes here as well.