Black-Tooth
Tony Natoli
Sorry I haven't been commenting or answering as many threads as I once did... Health issues with both my wife and I have consumed much of our energy and time. I THINK we have crested though... here's hoping.
The sad news is that one of our most enthusiastic X1/9 fanatics has passed away. Dick Waldren was 78 back in 2006 when this foto was taken:
Next to Dick is Steve Hoelscher and Mike Soter...
This was his ride for the day... a BVH '84 that Doug "the Ratt" Lindeman threw together, sold to Jeff Zucker and then finally bought by Dick. I test drove it for him and was indeed impressed!
This is one of SIX that he owned... some are projects and some are runners... one '74, '76 or '78 and the rest are late models. He also has THREE Saab Sonets!!!
(Almost forgot... Queenie... a late model with what had 22,000 on it when I first saw it and with the original P3 Pirelli tires. When I opened the passenger door I stepped back in time, as it had this NEW CAR smell and the interior was perfect. So was the rest of the car when I took a good look at it. It may have had 22,000 on the clock, but 20,000 was from being flat towed behind a motorhome!)
This is the last photo of Dick's bouncing baby nephew Mel Simmons who has been in hibernation since I sold him White Fang many moons ago.
Mel called today to tell me that Dick had passed away last week from heart complications and he and other family members will be liquidating Dick's collection. There are also some engines and transmissions along with a plethora of parts. Some time in the second week of June I will meet with him and take some fotos... and offer up the cars for sale. We make no promises but I think if anyone is looking for an exceptional X1/9 or a good project car... Wait a few weeks so you can take a look at these.
Lastly, Dick's life was rather full with all sorts of calamities he had to crawl over... but he always had a great sense of humor. He was a true GENTLE man... and the FIRST to contribute towards any get-together or any other worthy cause... and was honest and trustworthy to a fault. I think we all must admit that we are somewhat off the beaten path when it comes to our ride of choice... but couple that with an insane love for the Sonet and you have a fanatic on steroids!
I don't think there was anyone that met him that didn't admire him to some degree.
All my best you guys... yak atcha later!
The sad news is that one of our most enthusiastic X1/9 fanatics has passed away. Dick Waldren was 78 back in 2006 when this foto was taken:
Next to Dick is Steve Hoelscher and Mike Soter...
This was his ride for the day... a BVH '84 that Doug "the Ratt" Lindeman threw together, sold to Jeff Zucker and then finally bought by Dick. I test drove it for him and was indeed impressed!
This is one of SIX that he owned... some are projects and some are runners... one '74, '76 or '78 and the rest are late models. He also has THREE Saab Sonets!!!
(Almost forgot... Queenie... a late model with what had 22,000 on it when I first saw it and with the original P3 Pirelli tires. When I opened the passenger door I stepped back in time, as it had this NEW CAR smell and the interior was perfect. So was the rest of the car when I took a good look at it. It may have had 22,000 on the clock, but 20,000 was from being flat towed behind a motorhome!)
This is the last photo of Dick's bouncing baby nephew Mel Simmons who has been in hibernation since I sold him White Fang many moons ago.
Mel called today to tell me that Dick had passed away last week from heart complications and he and other family members will be liquidating Dick's collection. There are also some engines and transmissions along with a plethora of parts. Some time in the second week of June I will meet with him and take some fotos... and offer up the cars for sale. We make no promises but I think if anyone is looking for an exceptional X1/9 or a good project car... Wait a few weeks so you can take a look at these.
Lastly, Dick's life was rather full with all sorts of calamities he had to crawl over... but he always had a great sense of humor. He was a true GENTLE man... and the FIRST to contribute towards any get-together or any other worthy cause... and was honest and trustworthy to a fault. I think we all must admit that we are somewhat off the beaten path when it comes to our ride of choice... but couple that with an insane love for the Sonet and you have a fanatic on steroids!
I don't think there was anyone that met him that didn't admire him to some degree.
All my best you guys... yak atcha later!
