[Michael C Henry]

Before being drafted in 69 I had a 63 1/2 Gallaxy w/428.While in Vietnam I asked my aunt and uncle in LA to investigate the Cobra market there. When I was ETSed I expected to come back through Oakland as I had left by. I came back through FT Lewis WA. At least it was on the west coast.I was a city kid from Iowa figured that I'd never be this close to LA so I flew to LA to see my aunt and new uncle (which I had never met before). While there on a tour the Playboy Club being pointed out , accross the street I saw a Cobra nose sticking out ovre the retaining wall of a used car lot.I made an appointment to take the Cobra out w/salesman.Weednesday came .The salesman drove it off the lot.I drove it for a while .It was great ,a Guardsmen Blue 289 Cobra $6,500 was more than I had saved while in Vietnam. I was making arrangments when My uncle found an add for a "56 Cobra". It was out in Chino.Turned out to be a 56 Bristle w215 alluminum Olds V8.All built. The owners a,a pair of brothers, had a party the night before. Ther was no dash or trans tunnel.Just loose guages. Someone had left something on and tha battery was dead.No bumpers had to hand push. It lit the owner driving I jumped in .The street was narrow .Cars were parked on booth sides of street.The door handles were soo close as we flew by. $1,800 was more in my range.It was December of 71.Ibought it and tried to follow my uncle in LA traffic .He made a lane change around a semi,I lost him and just pulled off at the next exit.He found me we got it back to his home in La Habra. I left it there and flew back home to Des Moines IOWA.In May of 72 I flew to La ,Uncle had finished up the dash and tunnel.Ther were a few things to complete before the drive home.Before I had left home , my parrents made me sell my 63 1/2 Gallaxy,Wasn't going to have two cars in the drive.No heater or sidecurtains, not a Iowa winter car.I started to date my now wife. She was living w/her aunt in RedOak IA 120 miles west.On the weekends she rode the bus to Des Moines I'd pick her up at the bus station .She'd put the suitcase on convertable top and hold w /her right hand.Had to be a site to behold snow and all.We married in 73.Moved to Washington last of May 75.I brought the little car It had to be a everyday driver.Thirty miles each way to Renton. In 77 after getting back to work after being laid off for six weeks The axle broke on the way home the first day back to work.I didn't know what was wrong or realy care.I couldn't fix it,It didn't fit the family mold. I needed a truck but knew I would miss that car. The agreement was that later I could have another sportscar.93 while on a school trip back to Iowa I saw a red Cobra replica at a wednesday night car show.Things were in a constant turmoil at hom, and I was looking for something to look forward to.That was it the car of my dreams. Upon my return I informed my whole family that I was tired of the constat **** at home and they had 6 1/2 years to get their acts together .When I turn 50 in 69 I was going start, buy, build a Cobra replica or they could succesfully explain why I couldn't(and that wasn't going to happen) Or I'd have my check sent some where else.. Things changed .for the better. But I had backed my self into a corner .Everybody had herd of my threat. I stuck to my guns .I was not to be swayed.98 wife and I were spending more time together on romantic getaways.I wanted a trip I could get into..A friend at work told me about Hot August Nights in Reno NV.My wife made all the arrangements. It was fun,We had a bidders pass at the auction. She realy got into all the emotion and all that of the auction .We went the next year and I fell for this one Cobra in a room with over a dozen other Cobra replicas at the auction .They were bidding out of sight on lesser cars and reserves were not being met.I knew what it was and was sure it would be beyond my limits. The bidding started way to high .No one was bitting. They again started, lower.I got in ,It went back and forth I was at my limit,Just a little more but cant' keep going.Emotion was running me.Baam ! It's sold!( to me.)Oh **** what have I done ?If I run will they chase me?We went back stage and filled out the papers.No bigger smiles but the anxiety,Where are the Rollaids?We drove a Land Cruiser down.all we had to wear were shorts and tank tops. Had to find jeans and sweatshirt in Reno in First week in August . Cancel the last night at motel in Truckee and start the drive home. Bought a tow strap, just in case. It made it all the way home without insident.Headers were rapped w/ fiberglass and broke two weeks later.Spent the next year getting exhaust replaced and titling straightened out and transfered.Parents were here from New Mexico when I got it liesenced. Took both for drives. They went home and my Dad died two weeks later.Mom has alshiemers .Had to go burry dad and bring mom back here. Two weeks, every thing working and freedom to go ,two weeks. Blood pressure went nuts had to start medacation.Life is short .I'm not waiting, if I want something, more than likely I'll order it tomorrow if not today.You don't know where the end is.