[Michael4yah]

In dec of '69 a friend called me up and told me he had something he wanted me to see. He told me to swing by his place and pick him up as we needed to be in my car (a 9 month old 69 Nova SS 396/375). He said that someone wanted to trade me a sports car for it. He took me to an apt building where the owners son met us at the door. He was a young college guy in his early 20s, he took us out to a car port where there was a small car underneath layers and layers of tarps. I said to myself "Ive already owned an early Vette and theres no way Im trading my Nova for another one". But when he pulled off the last tarp my heart jumped into my throat. It was an original 427 SC. He had inherited it from his father but had gotten so many tickets his insurance co. canceled him. They did tell him he could have a performance car but it had to be a non sports car, a sedan type. Then he looked straight at me and said" I'll trade you straight across for your Nova". The air went out of my lungs. I did everything possible to not let on that this was the deal of the century. Faking whatever composure I could I asked" Is it paid off"? He said "Yup, Cmon I'll take you for a ride". Once in we headed for a rural road near where we lived that had about 50 turns and switchbacks and a speed limit of 15mph. I Buckled up and we went through there at about 40-50. When we stopped I got out and said to myself, "This is ONE GREAT CAR.... But If I get this car I'll be dead within a month." Only time tells all, the real reason I didnt trade him was that this NovaSS was my 1st new car. I had worked swingshifts 2 years in a row while in High School to get it. So reluctantly I said no, and to this day I think of the one that got away. Photos of my High School cars are in my gallery, the only one missing is my 64 Ford Custom 427.
Michael