A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving2004, I happened to be in town andstopped by to see Tom. He had justbought a farm and was in the process ofmoving all his stuff. While in his shop, Isaw that the Corvette was uncovered. Ithad been 20 years since I had seen ituncovered and I just had to take a closerlook. I checked it out, and asked Tom ifhe would ever sell it. He replied he wouldif someone ever offered him the rightmoney for it.
Now, many people had tried to buy hisCorvette over the years, but, apparently,they were never serious enough. Iremember asking how much he wantedfor the car years earlier, and the price wasway out of line. He told me he planned tokeep it until he got that price. When Iasked him how much it would take tobuy the Corvette, he replied with the pricehe had placed on it years ago. I asked him,"Would you really let it go if someone gaveyou that much?" He replied he probablywould. I just left it at that and went home.
When I got home, I did a little researchon the car and called my Uncle Carl, whohas been building cars for a long time. Iconsider him a person to be reliable and tobring me back in check when I get "feverish"about cars I find.
I called Tom that night after checkingmy bank account.
"Hey, Tom, done working for thenight?"
"No, I'm still at it. I have a lot to do."
"Tom, I want to buy the Corvettefrom you."
"Well, I thought about it after youleft, and I don't think I will sell it."
"I'm talking cash tomorrow." (Longpause) "Tom, are you still there?"
"Yes, I'm here. I'm just thinkingabout it."
"I have cash, and I'm definitely willingto make the deal."
"I think I'll just sleep on it and give itsome thought first. I'm not really interestedin parting with it."
"OK, Tom, just let me know if youchange your mind."
"I'll call you tomorrow and let youknow one way or the other."
"All right, Tom. Later."
Disappointed, I hung up the phone. Ishould have known that Tom wouldn'tsell the car. The next day around 3 p.m., Ichecked my cell phone messages and Tomhad called. I figured that Tom was justcalling to tell me he was going to keepthe car. I knew he couldn't separate himselffrom that car. I was wrong!