1st Creamsicle #1, 1st Creamsicle #1 |
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1st Creamsicle #1, 1st Creamsicle #1 |
TonyA |
Nov 30 2023, 05:54 PM
Post
#1
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Nachmal Group: Members Posts: 579 Joined: 17-November 16 From: Hilltown PA Member No.: 20,596 Region Association: North East States |
I have been meaning to write this story for a year now, so here it goes. It may take awhile because I am a three to four finger typist. And thank god for spell check.
August 2022, I get a text message form Dion Ronin (Dion's endeavor) that there was a Creamsicle on the Hagerty website for sale at an auction in Main, at Owls Head Transportation Museum. Dion said you already have one you should look at this one. Most of the 914 MOB guys around here are always ribbing each other about crap and LE's are a topic they always pounce on me about. So I look! Sure as shit there it was. Jeff Bowlsby posted that he saw this car back in 2005 in California and that it was sold to a guy in Vermont around that time. He also said that the advertised vin number is incorrect! The last two numbers are transposed making this the FIRST Ceamsicle produce and its on the registry as such. DAM I hope Sienfeld doesn't hear about this was one comment on 914world. Sooo off to Main I go telling my wife I am going to look at a job, which I always do when on the hunt for cars or parts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I arrive in Main and get a Sam Adams Boston Lager and a lobsta sandwich. Sitting by the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away the Tuesday night before inspection opens for the auction. I looked at all the cars the next day, trying not to lust to much over the 914. I kept looking at adjacent cars every time someone would inspect the 914 to hear their comments. A few said lets bid up to $2500 because there is water in the trunk! I thought that was great, because its not leaking out and that's a good thing I said to myself. I inspected the car on my back crawling under as far as I could with nobody watching. WOW no rust, super clean suspension and a super exhaust system and it has the original holy grail front spoiler. Not a pretty car by no means but solid as they come and a LE and #1. I look at the engine and dam, its some kind of race engine and the serial number starts with RAT. Stupid me says to myself its not a Raby engine because that would be RAB and not RAT. I know I am and idiot. At the time. I was a little disappointed that it did not have the original engine, but more about that later. I give my $100 deposit to bid via phone on Friday, we will call you don't call us they said. This was the Friday one week before Labor day weekend I think. On Friday all of the auto memorabilia was on the schedule and just 7 cars. So I don't get a call till 4:00. Sir please stay on the line for item # 453. Now by 4:00 in the afternoon most people are having their Sam Adams beers and a lobsta sandwich. So there were probably just two or three people bidding. So I kept saying yes,in $500 increments hoping that Sienfield wasn't one of the bidders. Not that he would stoop that low to buy something like this but you never know I kept thinking. Bam you got it states the person on the other end. YYAAAHHHOOOO . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) I do the wire transfer on Monday and drive back up with my trailer and my two brothers on Tuesday. We pick it up and yes its running no need for the winch, holy crap. We start driving back home but its been a long day so we get a hotel. While sitting out back of the hotel having a few Sam Adams beers and looking through all the paperwork I find that the past owner was William Twigg Smith. I goggle his name and wow their family helped Hawaii get their independence from the royal government that they were under in the early 1900's. Bills father wrote a book about it called "Sovereignty" the truth of what really happened. I also found all the receipts from Chris Foley/Tangerine Racing. Also all the notes and sketches on wiring etc by Ed Morrow who worked at tangerine racing at the time and who built the car for Bill Twigg Smith. Ed got to drive in the car with me at this years NEG Northeast Gathering in the Pocono mountains (hills) of Pennsylvania. Bill had passed in 2016 I think and was a recluse type billionaire who's family had extensive real estate in Hawaii and Vermont. There were also letters notes etc. between Bill and Jeff Bowlsby among the paperwork Jeff later sent me all the correspondence that he had with Bill back in 2005-2007. Thank you very much Jeff! Bill stated that he would never race the car and would not be going to shows because he is a very independent person. Bill wanted a strong car to drive the back roads and hills of Vermont. He would also never do anything that could not be easily reversed because it is an LE car. Among the other cars that were sold at the auction I later found out (28 in total) were from Bills collection. All at no reserve. Three had raby engines one a concours winning 76 911 and one a Karmen Ghia. So once we got the car home I contacted Chris Foley who got me in touch with the caretaker of Bills cars in Vermont. I asked the caretaker if he knew were the original engine was. His answer was I might. Soooo grab some cash and drive to Vermont. On my way to Vermont I stopped by at Tangerine racing to drop off some philly soft pretzels to Chris and talk about this car some more and its past owner. Once in Vermont at the caretakers shop there is the original engine in the same box that Chris Foley put it in when he shipped it 15 years ago. Back to the car. Dion comes over and I had already cleaned out the gas tank and filled with fresh fuel and was getting ready to start the car. We started it up and it ran a little rough. We determined it was just a bad wire and a bad plug. Four new wires and four new plugs and its been running ever since. Still looking for the manuals that go with the raby engine. I contacted the estate and they searched in Vermont and in Hawaii. No luck as yet. Thanks to Dion Ronin, Jeff Bowlsby, Chris Foley and Ed Morrow for all their input on this great car. Pictures to follow. |
TonyA |
Nov 30 2023, 06:12 PM
Post
#2
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Nachmal Group: Members Posts: 579 Joined: 17-November 16 From: Hilltown PA Member No.: 20,596 Region Association: North East States |
I have been meaning to write this story for a year now, so here it goes. It may take awhile because I am a three to four finger typist. And thank god for spell check. August 2022, I get a text message form Dion Ronin (Dion's endeavor) that there was a Creamsicle on the Hagerty website for sale at an auction in Main, at Owls Head Transportation Museum. Dion said you already have one you should look at this one. Most of the 914 MOB guys around here are always ribbing each other about crap and LE's are a topic they always pounce on me about. So I look! Sure as shit there it was. Jeff Bowlsby posted that he saw this car back in 2005 in California and that it was sold to a guy in Vermont around that time. He also said that the advertised vin number is incorrect! The last two numbers are transposed making this the FIRST Ceamsicle produce and its on the registry as such. DAM I hope Sienfeld doesn't hear about this was one comment on 914world. Sooo off to Main I go telling my wife I am going to look at a job, which I always do when on the hunt for cars or parts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I arrive in Main and get a Sam Adams Boston Lager and a lobsta sandwich. Sitting by the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away the Tuesday night before inspection opens for the auction. I looked at all the cars the next day, trying not to lust to much over the 914. I kept looking at adjacent cars every time someone would inspect the 914 to hear their comments. A few said lets bid up to $2500 because there is water in the trunk! I thought that was great, because its not leaking out and that's a good thing I said to myself. I inspected the car on my back crawling under as far as I could with nobody watching. WOW no rust, super clean suspension and a super exhaust system and it has the original holy grail front spoiler. Not a pretty car by no means but solid as they come and a LE and #1. I look at the engine and dam, its some kind of race engine and the serial number starts with RAT. Stupid me says to myself its not a Raby engine because that would be RAB and not RAT. I know I am and idiot. At the time. I was a little disappointed that it did not have the original engine, but more about that later. I give my $100 deposit to bid via phone on Friday, we will call you don't call us they said. This was the Friday one week before Labor day weekend I think. On Friday all of the auto memorabilia was on the schedule and just 7 cars. So I don't get a call till 4:00. Sir please stay on the line for item # 453. Now by 4:00 in the afternoon most people are having their Sam Adams beers and a lobsta sandwich. So there were probably just two or three people bidding. So I kept saying yes,in $500 increments hoping that Sienfield wasn't one of the bidders. Not that he would stoop that low to buy something like this but you never know I kept thinking. Bam you got it states the person on the other end. YYAAAHHHOOOO . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) I do the wire transfer on Monday and drive back up with my trailer and my two brothers on Tuesday. We pick it up and yes its running no need for the winch, holy crap. We start driving back home but its been a long day so we get a hotel. While sitting out back of the hotel having a few Sam Adams beers and looking through all the paperwork I find that the past owner was William Twigg Smith. I goggle his name and wow their family helped Hawaii get their independence from the royal government that they were under in the early 1900's. Bills father wrote a book about it called "Sovereignty" the truth of what really happened. I also found all the receipts from Chris Foley/Tangerine Racing. Also all the notes and sketches on wiring etc by Ed Morrow who worked at tangerine racing at the time and who built the car for Bill Twigg Smith. Ed got to drive in the car with me at this years NEG Northeast Gathering in the Pocono mountains (hills) of Pennsylvania. Bill had passed in 2016 I think and was a recluse type billionaire who's family had extensive real estate in Hawaii and Vermont. There were also letters notes etc. between Bill and Jeff Bowlsby among the paperwork Jeff later sent me all the correspondence that he had with Bill back in 2005-2007. Thank you very much Jeff! Bill stated that he would never race the car and would not be going to shows because he is a very independent person. Bill wanted a strong car to drive the back roads and hills of Vermont. He would also never do anything that could not be easily reversed because it is an LE car. Among the other cars that were sold at the auction I later found out (28 in total) were from Bills collection. All at no reserve. Three had raby engines one a concours winning 76 911 and one a Karmen Ghia. So once we got the car home I contacted Chris Foley who got me in touch with the caretaker of Bills cars in Vermont. I asked the caretaker if he knew were the original engine was. His answer was I might. Soooo grab some cash and drive to Vermont. On my way to Vermont I stopped by at Tangerine racing to drop off some philly soft pretzels to Chris and talk about this car some more and its past owner. Once in Vermont at the caretakers shop there is the original engine in the same box that Chris Foley put it in when he shipped it 15 years ago. Back to the car. Dion comes over and I had already cleaned out the gas tank and filled with fresh fuel and was getting ready to start the car. We started it up and it ran a little rough. We determined it was just a bad wire and a bad plug. Four new wires and four new plugs and its been running ever since. Still looking for the manuals that go with the raby engine. I contacted the estate and they searched in Vermont and in Hawaii. No luck as yet. Thanks to Dion Ronin, Jeff Bowlsby, Chris Foley and Ed Morrow for all their input on this great car. Pictures to follow. [attachmentid=894 893] Attached image(s) |
TonyA |
Nov 30 2023, 06:13 PM
Post
#3
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Nachmal Group: Members Posts: 579 Joined: 17-November 16 From: Hilltown PA Member No.: 20,596 Region Association: North East States |
Miles of smile picture taken by Ed Morrow.
Thanks Ed |
DennisV |
Nov 30 2023, 06:18 PM
Post
#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 565 Joined: 8-August 20 From: Santa Rosa, CA Member No.: 24,575 Region Association: Northern California |
Great story Tony.
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JeffBowlsby |
Nov 30 2023, 06:18 PM
Post
#5
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914 Wiring Harnesses Group: Members Posts: 8,781 Joined: 7-January 03 From: San Ramon CA Member No.: 104 Region Association: None |
CS #1 is in good hands Tony. You definitely scored on this one.
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krazykonrad |
Nov 30 2023, 06:34 PM
Post
#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,141 Joined: 21-February 06 From: Canton, GA Member No.: 5,610 |
That is way cool! Keep those pics coming. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)
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SirAndy |
Nov 30 2023, 06:42 PM
Post
#7
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,944 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
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BeatNavy |
Nov 30 2023, 06:45 PM
Post
#8
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Certified Professional Scapegoat Group: Members Posts: 2,944 Joined: 26-February 14 From: Easton, MD Member No.: 17,042 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Thanks for sharing the story, Tony! Great find buddy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
And it's good to have good 914 friends like those guys you mentioned. Well done, fellas. |
Dion |
Nov 30 2023, 06:46 PM
Post
#9
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RN Group: Members Posts: 2,805 Joined: 16-September 04 From: Audubon,PA Member No.: 2,766 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Cheers buddy! Couldn’t have a better custodian than you mate. That is a nice strong engine in there.
Smiles per miles indeed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) |
StarBear |
Nov 30 2023, 07:18 PM
Post
#10
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,085 Joined: 2-September 09 From: NJ Member No.: 10,753 Region Association: North East States |
Love happy stories. Goes to show what a strong community we have. Some $, research, and assistance then Viola! Another 914 and LE back on the road. Enjoy another bottle of your 914 Brewing Creamsicle Ale, Tony! You deserve it.
Well done! |
Maltese Falcon |
Nov 30 2023, 07:37 PM
Post
#11
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,894 Joined: 14-September 04 From: Mulholland SoCal Member No.: 2,755 Region Association: None |
Great backstory on your acquisition, and the right people here on World to help it along ! Our light ivory 1970 (Sonauto) car was also hiding in plain sight in a museum in Germany. Lucky for the (previous) owner that his "Car chaser" was smart enough to look there, strike the deal and ship the car here to the States (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Enjoy the smiles per miles ! |
mate914 |
Nov 30 2023, 07:58 PM
Post
#12
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Matt Group: Members Posts: 802 Joined: 27-February 09 From: Eagles mere, PA Member No.: 10,102 Region Association: North East States |
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East coaster |
Nov 30 2023, 08:02 PM
Post
#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,793 Joined: 28-March 03 From: Millville, NJ Member No.: 487 Region Association: None |
Very cool
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ejm |
Nov 30 2023, 08:10 PM
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#14
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I can see the light at the end of the tunnel Group: Members Posts: 2,705 Joined: 3-February 03 From: Massachusetts Member No.: 224 Region Association: None |
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FlacaProductions |
Nov 30 2023, 08:27 PM
Post
#15
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,845 Joined: 24-November 17 From: LA Member No.: 21,628 Region Association: Southern California |
Ahhh - fantastic! I remember when this car originally came up here - nice job!
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infraredcalvin |
Nov 30 2023, 08:50 PM
Post
#16
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Distracted Member Group: Members Posts: 1,575 Joined: 25-August 08 From: Ladera Ranch, CA Member No.: 9,463 Region Association: Southern California |
Love it! Well done! Ongrats!
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bkrantz |
Nov 30 2023, 08:58 PM
Post
#17
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 8,175 Joined: 3-August 19 From: SW Colorado Member No.: 23,343 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Wow
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914-300Hemi |
Nov 30 2023, 09:14 PM
Post
#18
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,372 Joined: 7-September 06 From: San Dimas, CA Member No.: 6,794 Region Association: Southern California |
Congrats and great story
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TRS63 |
Dec 1 2023, 12:22 AM
Post
#19
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Member Group: Members Posts: 324 Joined: 14-September 20 From: Germany - Stuttgart Member No.: 24,690 Region Association: Europe |
What a great story and what a cool car, well done!
Antoine |
Porschef |
Dec 1 2023, 06:02 AM
Post
#20
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How you doin' Group: Members Posts: 2,180 Joined: 7-September 10 From: LawnGuyland Member No.: 12,152 Region Association: North East States |
Great story Tony, good luck with the car! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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