The Villages - November 2021 - Cover3

" It was started in '86 and completed in 2011, "
Joe said. " It took 25 years. The reason being I had a
daughter to put through college and get married,
but she rewarded me with two grandsons, so it
was all worth it. "
Kathy had a different (and unique) experience
with her Firebird. As the original owner, she has
several stories with the car since she first drove it
off the lot in 1974.
After selling her 1965 Mustang her parents
bought her, she was in the market for something
new and did some shopping around with her
brother. After looking at AMC Javelins and Chevrolet
Camaros, her brother brought home a brochure
for the Firebird, and she was sold on the spot - she even
still has the brochure.
One standout story with the car was a time when she experienced
several attempts to steal the car while she was at work.
Kathy implemented some features such as a locking gas cap and
other security measures, but it still wasn't enough.
She recalls the day it went missing.
" I went out to lunch, and I'd park it out in the parking
lot, " Kathy said. " I go out one time and it's gone. One of
the guys I work with was sitting out in the lot and he saw
somebody in my car, and I guess he went over there and
pulled (the thief) out. "
Despite her coworker's attempt to save the Firebird, it
wasn't enough, and the thief was able to get away. Kathy
still has the newspaper article from that day saved in a picture
frame, however - " Man punched protecting car, " the
bold headline reads.
Fortunately, Kathy's security measures worked - the car was
found in a nearby town after it ran out of gas and the thief was
unable to refill it due to the locked gas cap.
The Firebird is still almost completely original, with the original
paint, engine, seats and even the original spare tire in the trunk.
They did add some gauges to the dash and changed the head liner
on the roof, but that is the extent of their changes to the car.
Joe and Kathy both enjoy attending car shows, and
the pair have won several trophies with both cars at
shows throughout the east coast.
While Kathy does not take the Firebird to as
many shows recently due to overheating issues
with the Firebird, she and Joe still enjoy attending
car shows - especially The Villages Cruise
Ins, where you can stop by and chat with both
of them about their classic rides, something they
both enjoy doing, adding more pictures and trophies
to their already full garage.
MAGAZINE
65
The Villages - November 2021

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