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1995 Mercedes E320 Cabriolet
This is one of my all time favorite cars...essentially hand made, and made in only '94 and '95, this 1995 Mercedes E320 Cabriolet cost about $80,000 when new. It's much like owning a wooden boat...beautiful to look at, but potentially a bit costly to maintain. But even after 15 years the outright elegance and serenity of this car remains totally intact which makes it very worthy of driving. Powered by an inline six cylinder, 217 Horsepower engine that is as smooth as glass, it isn't a rocket ship by any stretch of the imagination but it is enormously pleasant to drive. In some minds, this E Class series of Mercedes, which ended production in '95, was the last of the real engineer dominated Mercs...not a lot of frills to be sure, but exceptional ride and control in a very smooth package. There are very few warning buzzers to drive you mad, no auto locks, only a two-speed fan on the A/C (that works perfectly on the hottest of days), and so on. But the build quality is amazing, and it is solid as a tank. Excellent ABS breaks, a single windshield wiper that effectively cleans 90% of the windshield in one stroke, wool carpeting, a beautiful and uncluttered interior design, and an the incredible ride even on New Orleans streets, is not to be believed. And when that absolutely leak proof (Brits take notice), and amazingly sound proof convertible top goes down, another world is at your disposal. Just lovely. This is my daily ride, and worth the maintenance and attention. A divine automobile, that is most easy on the nerves, and eyes, if not on the pocketbook.
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750
My current automotive love is this one owner, 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750. An all time favorite of sports car aficionados, it is considered to be one of Bertone’s most elegant designs. The greatest stroke of luck saw me buying it, on eBay; in November of 2008 from whom I later found out was the original owner, a woman from Pittsburgh. When asked if she knew anything about the car she responded in the most demur voice I have ever heard, “Oh yes, I can tell you quite a bit, my daddy bought it brand new for me in 1971”. I almost had a heart attack! She then went on to say, “…and, Mr. O’Malley, I had it restored about seven years ago and have only put five or six hundred miles on it since then”. At that point I almost became apoplectic!
The 1750 version of this car, the others were 1300, 1600, and 2000, is considered to be the best incarnation. A free revving engine, interior mods, and a design that can’t be beat…this car is a real thing of beauty and incredibly fun to drive. In fact, among Alfisti it is considered to be one of the best rides ever made by this great maker of sports cars. I had wanted one of these cars since I was a young man. I remember the first time I saw one and was blown away by the design. So when I became bored with the SL500 Mercedes, I considered but two cars…the Alfa, and a 1972 or ’73 Porsche 911S. In the end the charm of the Alfa won out and I have been a very happy driver ever since. A marvelous toy, superior driver, and max hobby interest all rolled into one! Bellissima!!
1969 Triumph Motorcycle
So my buddy Richard Dwyer said to me..."I'm going to sell the Triumph". I was amazed because he had bought it brand new from a Triumph dealership in Biloxi, MS, in 1969, and here it was 1991!
He'd owned the bike for his entire adult life...to me the thought of selling it to a stranger who might abuse it was a sacrilege! I mean, hell, it was a member of the family! So, I said, why don't I buy it? We quickly reached an agreement on price, and Dwyer's Triumph became mine. At first there was to be but a serviceable restoration done to the machine, but I couldn't stop myself from putting it back to it's original condition.
A full restoration was undertaken, and with fabulous results. Since I've owned the bike it has lived in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, the West of Ireland, then back to New Hampshire where it lived in a living room as an art object for two years, and finally, it was shipped to New Orleans in December of '06 where it now lives, and runs, again! This bike is a delight to ride and it appears that I'll have it for the duration. Like the MG, it is in fabulous condition and virtually irreplaceable.
MGB Sports Car
This is a 1974 "steel bumper" MGB, complete with over-drive, wire wheels, and a very nice conversion to full electronic ignition. This is a fully serviceable car in amazingly good condition, and it was loads of fun to drive for all the years I had the pleasure of being its owner.
A lovely driver in cooler weather, it reliably made long hauls from New England down to the Deep South, and great short hauls to Natchez, MS, weekend runs along the river, and trips into Bayou country. Though I've owned other more exciting sports cars, during the years that I owned this lovely MG, it was always a joy to drive! Previously, it was a show car that covered maybe 200 miles a year. When the previous owner asked me what I intended to do with it, much to his great horror I said, "I'm gonna drive it!" And drive it I did. Its new owner who lives in Texas just loves it and I have first refusal if he ever decides to sell this great car!
Harley Davidson
I am going to be buried on this motorcycle. No, not because of it, on it! No other vehicle I've ever owned, and there have been close to forty of them, has come close to the funk this beautiful hunk of black and chrome junk generates. I adore it!
It's a 1972 HD, FLH, and I have the original Beer Box, Seat, and Fairing. On the first day I owned it, I blew it up! Oh, well, I thought, it's a good excuse for a total mechanical restoration, and I also tossed in some nice upgrades to boot. For the money I have in this bike I could buy a new Road King...but who needs that? I wanted funk, and with this bike, bought many, many, years ago, I have achieved my objective.
It has electronic ignition and advance, Progressive front and rear suspension, a balanced motor, Andrews trans, and plenty more. But I've kept the Series B, S&S carburetor because it's period correct and makes the bike snort and holler when you crack the throttle...no accelerator pump. And what a sound!
The Fishtail Drags give off that distinctive Shovel-Head 60 degree V-Twin rumble...something that screams VINTAGE HARLEY!! Fully serviceable and very reliable, I've taken it for long rides without a thought. "Harvey" the Harley, what a hunk of steamin' funk!