I get Hemmings Priority Mail which helps in buying stuff before it's all sold. One of the hazards of being the first one on the scene is that sometimes you come to a deal with the seller but subsequent callers offer more money. Then I get the dreaded, "Sorry, but..." call from the seller. Sometimes they offer to let me match the new offer but I never do it as a matter of principle and because, as a practical matter, I no longer trust them.
So, late on Friday I picked up HMN and there were 5 RPO 276 wheels with non-DOT tires. I called but got an office machine saying to call on Monday. Rather than risk losing them, I reverse looked up his office phone number to get a name and then looked up the residence phone number. On Saturday his wife said he was out all day so I called Sunday.
When I finally reached Ray (Masciarella), we had a lengthy chat. He told me about his cars and that the wheels were surplus to his 99.6 point 57 'Air Box' car (which, BTW, is for sale) and the hunting trip he had been on. I told him a little about my cars and then got down to business and struck a deal.
Well today I got a message to call him so I figured it might be the 'brush off' but he hadn't seemed like that type. When I finally got him he told me that he had been deluged with calls and higher offers from folks who wouldn't take 'sold' for an answer.
Amazingly, he just wanted to ask me if I wanted him to sell the wheels or tires *for me*, ship them out from there and send me any profit. I declined his generous offer but the experience did renew my faith in human nature, the collector car hobby, in particular, and remind me why I like this stuff so much.
So if anyone runs across a guy in North Palm Beach with a 57 'Air Box', he's a good guy and a true believer.
JP
So, late on Friday I picked up HMN and there were 5 RPO 276 wheels with non-DOT tires. I called but got an office machine saying to call on Monday. Rather than risk losing them, I reverse looked up his office phone number to get a name and then looked up the residence phone number. On Saturday his wife said he was out all day so I called Sunday.
When I finally reached Ray (Masciarella), we had a lengthy chat. He told me about his cars and that the wheels were surplus to his 99.6 point 57 'Air Box' car (which, BTW, is for sale) and the hunting trip he had been on. I told him a little about my cars and then got down to business and struck a deal.
Well today I got a message to call him so I figured it might be the 'brush off' but he hadn't seemed like that type. When I finally got him he told me that he had been deluged with calls and higher offers from folks who wouldn't take 'sold' for an answer.
Amazingly, he just wanted to ask me if I wanted him to sell the wheels or tires *for me*, ship them out from there and send me any profit. I declined his generous offer but the experience did renew my faith in human nature, the collector car hobby, in particular, and remind me why I like this stuff so much.
So if anyone runs across a guy in North Palm Beach with a 57 'Air Box', he's a good guy and a true believer.
JP