April 2007
Josh Reel’s 1989 #441
On September 11, 2006 I lost my title as “wannabe.” A nickname I
acquired from Ken McDowell and Stu Akers because after numerous car
shows, where I usually drove one of Ken’s Saleens, I still didn’t own
one. Together Ken and Stu own seventeen Saleens. The first time I drove
Ken’s Saleen, I knew that I had to have one.
Driving to Ken’s house one day, I decided to go out of my addition a
different way. Low and behold, there sat a maroon Saleen hatchback
covered in at least two inches of dust. At Ken’s house, I told him about
it. He replied, “Yeah, I have seen that car. Stu called the owner a
couple of years back and found out that he purchased the car new, but
the owner is not interested in selling it.” After hearing this, I didn’t
pursue. Although on my way home from work I would go in that entrance
just to catch a glimpse of the car.
After looking on EBay, I found a white, tan, and gold convertible with
low mileage in Pennsylvania. We talked to the owner and finally agreed
on a price. I sent him a $1000.00 deposit. In the meantime, I was trying
to decide how to get the car here. A week went by and we called him to
make arrangements on when we could pick up the car. The first thing out
of his mouth was, “I cannot do it. I cannot sell the car!” He sent the
money back and the search continued.
I
became interested in one of Stu’s cars because he offered to sell it to
me. On September 11th,
Stu called and I went over to drive the car. After driving it I told him
I would think about and get back to him. On my way home I drove by the
Saleen in my neighborhood. The garage was open and the owner was sitting
there watching T.V. I couldn’t believe it! I had been waiting for months
to see somebody outside while the garage was up. Of course, I had to
stop.
The owner, James, looked at me and said, “How are you doing young man?”
I told him I was driving by and saw the car. He offered to show me
inside the car. The interior was dirty but there were no stains and with
some elbow work it would look immaculate. I then noticed the odometer,
it read 31,069 miles! He must of saw my reaction because he quickly
stated that he bought the car new, drove it for a couple of years, and
parked it. He had not driven it since 1992, except yearly when he
changed the oil. I told him about the car in Pennsylvania and how I
wanted to buy a Saleen.
To my surprise, he said, “I’ll sell you this one.” I was shocked!
Calmly, I stated that I was looking for a convertible but could make an
exception. I asked him how much he wanted for the car. He replied,
“$10,000.00 cash.” I could not believe he only want $10,000.00 for this
car! I told James I would have to talk to my girlfriend about it. As
soon as I reached my truck, I called Stu instead of my girlfriend. I
told him what had just happened. He calmed me down and convinced me that
I needed to go back over to James’ house to drive or ride in the car.
When I went back James tossed me the keys and told me to drive. I drove
around the block. This car ran great. I asked James if I brought him
the money tomorrow, would the car be mine. He said, “Yes.” Again, I
called Stu. He told me that I need to buy this car.
I
called my grandpa to ask him if he would loan me the money. He asked,
“Do you need it tomorrow or do you want it right now?” I told him that
James needed to have cash, so tomorrow would be fine.
To my surprise he had the cash at home! I called James and told him that
I would be over in a half in hour to buy the car. As I rushed to my
grandparent’s house, I called Stu. He couldn’t believe that I already
had the money for the car. Grandpa counted out the money while Stu was
in hot pursuit to get to my house. I met Stu there and jumped in his car
and we headed towards James’. Stu looked the car over and was very
impressed with it condition.
I
gave James the money and the car was mine! My girlfriend came home from
school just as we were backing the Saleen into the garage. Her first
words were, “Who’s car is this?”
Three hours after driving Stu’s Saleen, I owned my own. The Saleen is a
1989, cabernet red, hatchback. This car’s number is 441. It has 31,069
original miles and is completely stock. I bought this car only a few
months before winter, so naturally I haven’t driven or seen it much.
Needlessly to say, I am very anxious for spring to arrive!
