June 2011 is by far the busiest month of the summer for me this year in terms of car shows and car-related activities. This is one of three things I'm going to write about, all of which happened in just an eight day span. Before I fill you in on what happened on this trip, I'm going to tell you why this trip personally meant so much to me, as it could not have came at a better time.
For those who don't know, the last few months have been quite the battle for me. After discovering some medical problems that have kept me from doing 90% of my daily activities, I have been internally going nuts. I couldn't work on my '86 Florida Highway Patrol SSP Mustang because the work was so strenuous, I'd have to sleep for a few hours because my body felt drained. Yes, even turning a few nuts and bolts were hard for me to do! For me to feel fully rested, I found myself sleeping nearly all day. I was randomly dizzy and could hardly stand up at times, so I always found myself leaning against something or holding something as I walked slowly. What drew the line for me was when I had the characteristics of a dead person twice, only knowing I was alive because I was conscience. It was recommended that I not drive, but as a car guy, ya... that wasn't going to happen! Originally, I had someone lined up to join me on my eight day excursion, however at last minute, I found myself going solo and testing my abilities, which I can say I felt comfortable doing, as I've doing a lot better now! I'm at a point now where I no longer have to sleep 3-4 hours to regain my energy. Instead, I just have to sit and relax for 15-20 minutes or longer, but only if I don't stop early enough.
Regardless of having to take breaks every here and there, the ride down for Part One of my trip was full of excitement and anticipation! The whole trip to Carlisle for eight days really gave me something to look forward to, keep my mind off things, and I knew the whole trip was going to be a once in a lifetime experience. Once again, this could not have come at a better time! Going back a few months, I randomly found out about a Back to the Future (BTTF) DeLorean replica that was near complete in Massachusetts. As a huge BTTF fan, I knew that this car wasn't there forever. Trust me, I would have known about it! I searched high and low for some type of contact to arrange a photo op. Finally, I came across one and wrote a "shot in the dark" e-mail. Very little time went by before I got a response. Patrick, the son of the owner of my dream car, responded back and knew exactly who I was. Come to find out, he has a passion for the Special Service Package Mustangs! If you don't know by now, so do I! He seemed as excited as I was to plan a "staged pullover" of my TX DPS Mustang pulling over the BTTF DeLorean. Although Patrick was not an SSP owner, he had a 1990 Mustang 5.0 LX hatchback.
A few months go by and now here we are... June of 2011. I asked to meet up while in transit for Carlisle Ford Nationals. While on my way, Patrick gave me a call for an ETA. Around 3:30pm on Wednesday June 1, 2011, I arrived at the house. I pull in and was greeted by Patrick and his parents very warmly. I felt like I was a long lost friend and left feeling like family! As I was talking to Bill, his father, Patrick took the BTTF DeLorean out of the garage. I remember talking to Bill and seeing it over his shoulder, forgetting what I was saying mid-sentence. My dream car was just feet away from me, probably the only car I would sell everything I own just to have! I don't know for sure what my obsession is with the BTTF DeLorean or the movie is, but even as a very, very young boy, I had to watch the movies every single time it was on TV. I remember one of the channels even ran a back-to-back BTTF Trilogy encore every Thanksgiving. I still remember how pissed-off I was when they stopped doing it! I have seen all three movies hundreds of times (and that is no exaggeration) and still watch it every time it's on TV, regardless of the fact that I own the movies and I can watch them any time I want!
Back to the car though... I was in awe the whole time! The intricacy and perfection that went into it, the passion for it being exact, and the fact that it was just like the real thing... WOW! I pulled my car up behind it for the "staged pullover" and began taking pictures. Patrick was already ahead of me with the camera, as I could tell his anticipation for this day was just as big as mine! Then he pulled his '90 LX hatchback around and the photos continued!
After a lot of photos outside, due to the severe thunderstorms (and later tornadoes), he put it back into the garage. Little did I know what else I would find! When entering the garage, I was greeted by the famous Steve McQueen. Now if you are say, "Who's Steve McQueen?" then you are probably not a Mustang fanatic. In 1968, the movie Bullitt featured one of the most famous car-chase scenes ever in movie history. It featured a black Charger being chased by a '68 Mustang Fastback sporting a 390 in it with Dark Highland Green paint. This was later known as the "Bullitt Mustang" and was "recreated" in 2001, 2008, and 2009 (the Mustang, not the film).
Let me just say that Steve was a very quiet man and didn't say much at all. Come to think of it, he didn't move either! He just sat quietly on his bike, one of three that was on display next to the DeLorean. This bike, a 1929 Harley-Davidson Model B Touring Bike, was the exact bike that was in his living room in his house where he died. Sitting aside it to his right was the 1970 Kawasaki Ringadingdoo! bike which was custom painted by Von Dutch for Steve. This was one of six given to him for use in his movie "Le Mans" and the only one to get "left behind" for his use. To Steve's left was a 1941 Indian Chief that was given to Steve by the California Highway Patrol. It is fully outfitted just as any police bike would be! Although these were bikes, any Mustang person, not just me, is sure to appreciate this fine collection!
Now having drooled over the Steve McQueen collection, I took a closer look at the BTTF DeLorean. This is where the details really showed! I really don't know where to begin because this is one of those cars you just have to see to believe. I'll let the photos speak for themselves and jump right into the time travel! What? You think I'm crazy? You don't believe me? Here... I documented it all on video!
If video doesn't display, please click here.
OK, so maybe there was some fancy editing done in there, but this BTTF DeLorean is so real that anyone would think that any time travel is possible with this one! Now if you think owning a DeLorean like this is cool, it is even neater to see one in the same place without all of the BTTF goodies on it. Bill also owns one with 30K original miles on it. The car cover was lifted and, once again, someone was there waiting to greet me. This time it was Michael J. Fox dressed as Marty! Yes, Marty was just as quiet as Steve was. He was probably sleeping, as he didn't move much either! Check out the remote control for the DeLorean too!
The BTTF stuff kept on coming. As we went upstairs into the main showroom for The Ruptured Duck, a business specializing in militaria, right on the main desk was Mr. Fusion! Appropriately, there was even a can in it too! After I stood amazed at it, next came seeing the Nike shoes and the self-drying jacket from the second movie!
Then it was time for me to step back into reality and head out for the second part of my eight day trip... going to Sturbridge, MA to meet up with friends.
Be sure to read Part Three of the trip when it is done, as you'll find out something about Patrick and what he acquired!
To see all my pictures, visit the Photo Gallery!