The Alfatross' Support Group
Recently, I started thinking about all the people who have had a hand in bringing The Alfatross back to life. Although we're not done yet, the list is already surprisingly long. I don't want people who have never restored a car to think that it is a one-person job. And I don't want to just spew out a list of names without categorizing the nature of their contribution, so I came up with my own categories. It turns out that some people should be included in more than one, but that gets complicated. So I have placed them in their most important category. The order in which names are listed is entirely arbitrary. |
| Peter Marshall, A 1900 fan before 1900s were cool . . . and part of the reason why they are cool today! |
Networkers and Researchers
These are people who know people or have people or have people that know people. As the saying goes, "It's not who you know, but who knows you!" These people are already part of the Knowledge Base, have accepted your credentials, and accepted you as a worthy participant. They include:
Peter Marshall, was a 1900 fan before 1900s were cool.
Joost Gompels, (www.ar1900reg.org/newsletters/ACF87B.pdf) America's version of Peter.
Peter Marshall, was a 1900 fan before 1900s were cool.
Joost Gompels, (www.ar1900reg.org/newsletters/ACF87B.pdf) America's version of Peter.
Daniel Allen, he talks, I listen.
Bob Schnittger, (http://www.alfa1900.com/) Keeper of the 1900 flame.
Jason Wenig http://www.thecreativeworkshop.com/) Boss at The Creative Workshop.
Matteo Bosisio, (m.bosisio@ruoteborrani.com), Head of Classic Wheels at Ruote Borrani.
Eric Reishus, (borrani@aemgarage.com), A&M Garage, LLC. Borrani America's official dealer.
Raimondo Corsi, Secretary of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo.
Eric Reishus, (borrani@aemgarage.com), A&M Garage, LLC. Borrani America's official dealer.
Raimondo Corsi, Secretary of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo.
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| Dan Allen, as seen by one of The Alfatross' brethren. Dan Allen. |
Craftspeople
These are people who have a very narrowly focused specialty in restoration ranging from reproducing wiring harnesses, to beating metal, to machining parts, to designing cam grinds. They include: |
| Derrick Dunbar, Tennessee Tim Marinos, and Ed Hayes, discussing Ed's very original car, 01915. |
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| Derrick Dunbar at Paul Russell and Co. Head of the Dept. of the Interior. |
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| Roger Lorton and DeWayne Samuels, Exotic engine builders. |
(http://www.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/). Made the wiring harness.
Tim Marinos, Vintage Autocraft, (http://vintageautocraft.com/). Chassis restoration, body and paint.
Derrick Dunbar, Paul Russell and Co. (http://paulrussell.com/). Researched and restored the interior restoration.
DeWayne Samuels, Samuels Speed Technologies (http://www.manta.com/c/mmshdxb/samuels-speed-technologies). Restoring the engine.
Harold Williams, Maker of custom gauges and bespoke coffee contraptions.
Roger Lorton, (balancing.acts@hotmail.com)Balancing Acts. High performance engine machine work.
Bruce Crawford, (brucecrawford@hardwoodclassicsltd.com). Restored the Nardi steering wheel.
David DuBois, (SUfuelpumps@donobi.net), SU fuel pump specialist.
Helmut, North Hollywood Speedometer (http://www.nhspeedometer.com/). Restored the Veglia instruments.
Joe Osborn, Masterpiece Watch Restoration, LLC,
(www.watchrestoration.com). Repaired and restored the Jaeger chronograph.
Bo Monroe, fabricator of reproduction 1900 front brake scoops.
Cork Adams, Precision Wire Wheels, (http://precisionwirewheels.com/). Restored the Borranis.
Gordon Self, Gordon't Imports. Checked and adjusted the transmission.
Owners of The Alfatross' Brethren
The Alfatross has close relatives. They started out from the same workshop, but over time became separated. I am very grateful to their owners who have provided precious information and let us visit them to learn more about their similarities and differences. They are like people in the same family: there are unmistakable similarities and unmistakable differences--and that is what makes them so wonderful!Ed Leerdam, former owner of 01915
George P. Fogg, III, former owner of 10003 and current owner of 01954
Joe Hayes, current owner of 01915
Arturo Keller, owner of 01847
Dan Simpson, owner of the REAL 01941
Corrado Lopresto, owner of 01845
Scott Gautier, owner of 01909
Berge Bergesen, former owner of 02010
Hans Josefsson, former owner of 01997
Business Advisors
OK, I admit that this is kind of a made-up category. But these are deep-thinking people who provided endless, unsolicited advice on how to handle The Alfatross' health and well-being going forward. Their advice has been absorbed, appreciated, taken for what it was worth (along with a grain or two of salt and even some pepper), and incorporated appropriately into the overall plan. They include:Dr. Randy Davis,Tactical Services International, "Sell! Sell! Sell!"
Dr. Paul Johnston, Curator of Transportation, Smithsonian Institution, "Why don't you donate it to the Nation? I have a place for it right here, he-he."
Dr. Toni Carrell, Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research, "Keep it, you idiot!"
Cheerleaders
This is not an insignificant category. They are people who inspired me to continue with the restoration in spite of the legion of very good reasons not to, including "It's costing too much!" "It's taking too long!" "It's not worth it!" and the all-time favorite: "Get a life!" |
| Pat Braden, The Alfatross' only celebrity previous owner. |
Pat Braden, the one responsible previous owner.
Bo Bricklemyer, who convinced me to buy it in the first place!
Beverly Little, got me involved with the Santa Fe Concorso.
Richard Ballantine, a never-ending font of encouragement.
Mark Brinker, the most enthusiastic of all!
Alessio Girotti, gave me an insight into the Italian language and mindset.
Toni Carrell, kept me from giving up on occasions too numerous to mention.
Charlatans
This is a surprisingly small, but very definitive, category comprised of totally incompetent people recommended by others, who agreed to provide a particular service, failed utterly and miserably, and ultimately made things worse instead of better while charging outrageous prices for their "services".Carter Hendricks, author of The Book of Excuses.
Mark Wallach, "All hat and no cattle!"
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| Mark Reinwald |
Voices of Experience
Rich Heinrich, Scottsdale Automotive Museum.Mark Reinwald, Curator, Ralph Lauren Collection.
Andre von Reiter, Neighbor and Mercedes/ Porsche collector.
The Santa Fe Car Table. Lots of experience, lots of voices.
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| Heavy lifters: Brian Williams, Dave Carrell, the Steward, and Jeff Krammer. |
Helping Hands
Don't sell this category short on account of the simple title. These are the hands that are doing the work at The Shed, The Alfatross' home in Santa Fe. Their hands are taking apart and putting back together virtually every part that wasn't consigned to a specialist. These are the hands that The Alfatross knows and trusts.Jeff Kramer, "No rust too tough, no part too hard to find, no job too dirty, no setback too discouraging. 'Nam didn't kill me and neither will The Alfatross!"
Dave Carrell, "Whatever it takes, man!"
Tom Linton, "Borrow my Silverado to trailer The Alfatross 4,000 miles? Sure, just take it to the car wash afterward . . ."
But Wait! There's More!
I have purposefully saved all the many vendors who supplied parts and equipment for recognition in a future post.Then there is the problem of failing to recognize someone because my record-keeping wasn't as good as it should have been. If I have done that to anyone out there, let me know and I will correct the omission!
