After a busy Saturday morning running around buying Halloween decorations and other errands, the time came to head off on our journey! I was very nervous driving 2 hours to a car I have never seen in person before, especially having the wife and boy with me. What if it really was a shit box Dodge? It would be horrible going out there, only find out that you should turn right back around and go home.
Oh the shame! Not really. It would not be the worst thing ever. For starters, no money changed hands and second, at least we went for a nice ride in the country. Right???
Truth be told though, after seeing pictures posted on Craigslist, the phone call I had with the owner, and the pictures he sent me leading up to my trip out to his house, I was 99.9999% certain I was coming home with a ’76 Dodge Monaco.
It would have had to been a complete turd for me not to buy it, and even then I probably would have bought it because I could get it on the cheap. Granted, I would have sunk more money into it than it would ever be worth, but it was a Bluesmobile to me.
Pictures the owner sent to me prior to seeing the car in person.
We finally arrived in the town of Durand, Il around 6:30pm. We had a very short amount of time to get to the owners house to see the car in natural sunlight. That part is very important! Never by a car at night, I don’t care if it brand new or 40 years old!!! Too much stuff can be hidden in the dark.
After going to the WRONG grey house, with a long porch, and lots of flowers (they were kitty corner from each other) I finally set my eyes on her for the first time.
She was exactly as I hoped.
While I tried to play it cool and make small talk, I knew she would be mine. We took her out for a test spin on these long winding and hilly roads in Winnebago County, and she drove perfectly.
I started the conversation of regarding price while I was driving her. We met and a very fair price and shook on it. When we returned to the owners house, I didn’t pull her back into the garage. That’s when the wife and boy knew it was coming home with us!!!
I gave him money, he gave me title and bill of sale, but ultimately I got a Bluesmobile.
From the gas station all the way home, I had a grin from ear to ear. It was like Christmas, Easter, the Fourth of July, and Halloween all rolled into one. I couldn’t believe it.
For the next 2 hours and 116 miles, it felt as though I was on a magic carpet ride. She was that smooth.
