Ok.. so I want to tell you a story!
Lets not go back too far, or this story could get very long but I want to take you back a little over two years when a certain Machine of Mystery posted a photo of a car he had just been out for a blast in. He posted it on a website called RetroRides which I had been a member of for a good few months. The photograph stirred all manner of goosebumpy driving feelings inside me and a broad smile engulfed my face as I looked.
It took me all of 2seconds to search RetroRides and indeed the entire internet for details about such a unique and individual car and found out that it was a Sandrail based on beetle running gear and placed in a 'body' (ish) made by a company UVA. It was awesome!
Luckily a few months later I got the chance to pop down to Area 52 to deliver the mother of all lathes, and also collect a 2.6l turbo'd starion engine which I'm sure all of you know it's current home (and if you don't, just click the signature at the bottom of this post).
It was fab to hang out at Area52 with the guys and two weeks later I was back at the secret garage of pleasure for a post Christmas play day.
It didn't take long for Bruce to notice my screensaver on my iPhone - his Fugitive parked outside Welcome Break.
Commence about a year of teasing Bruce to let me buy it off him; a conversation that I was pretty sure was a futile exercise as he absolutely loved this car.
Fast forward to November last year and I woke up to a text on my phone. It may have been 10am, but I tend to get to bed late, ok.
Text simply said...
Mystery Machine: Fugitive... want it?
Well that certainly woke me up and a instant double check text resulted in one of my most excited weeks since I put a deposit on my Galant GTO! I rustled up the cash and begged and borrowed a Land Rover from a good friend from the gym I coach at (on a side note it took me 5 minutes to consequently want a Land Rover too!) and headed down to Brizzle too meet the Mystery. (haha)
SmodCast by
Diabolu80, on Flickr
Loved the drive, I had Kevin Smith podcast on for most of the way until around Junction 12 of the M5 where you can JUST about start getting reception to the retro brilliance of Jack FM! A must listen to muse when down at Area52.
All of you who know me know I'm the most excited person at the best of times and I don't think Bruce could really contain me when I rocked up. I managed to calm myself down enough to chill for a second and have a cup of tea but very soon we took the short walk out to the garage to see this!
Fugitive_20111215-Edit.jpg by
Diabolu80, on Flickr
Looks menacing already! God I love the lines of this thing!
Few excited steps inside.
Fugitive_20111215-5.jpg by
Diabolu80, on Flickr
The car was pulled out and hitched up on its custom a-frame (HOW COOL!) and yet another sneak peak of it. This view was REGULARLY checked out in the wing mirror on the drive home.
Fugitive_20111215-6.jpg by
Diabolu80, on Flickr
A very very excited Chris just had to stop off at Michael Wood services; firstly to take a photo and secondly I needed a cuppa! Good ol' Starbucks.
Fugitive_20111215-9.jpg by
Diabolu80, on Flickr
Thank you Bruce for letting me take ownership of such a car and I hope I can add my stamp to it that will do it justice.
Of course... the other rule for owning this, is that EVERYONE needs to drive it! So if you see me anywhere, shout and I may just toss you a ride!
Next up - Car gets home and work starts for the beach party.
