I drove it for a while after my ex gave it to me. I had one years ago that I squeezed within an inch of its life and it was pretty fast for what it was. This one never felt like mine though, we never connected. some will understand what I am talking about, some won't. I took it off the road a while ago with the intention of restoring but life, bills and a new house pretty much killed that.
Popping the motor in the 180 and picking up the RS took out any cash I had and I found myself spread so thin the things I own came to own me. Again, some will understand that, some won't. Chances are at some point in our lives we all have that moment.
Living on a small island, the air and the sun are merciless on a car that is unprotected and sedentary. All three of my cars have suffered. Rust is attacking them all and the paint is getting bad. The Newman was in the worst shape.
At some point I had to admit to myself, these cars are slowly dieing. I had a choice, keep deluding myself or cull the stable and try to free up some space, generate some cash and hopefully be able to make some progress on the cars that stay. The Newman was the car to go. The good news was the interior had survived and overall the car was original.
What makes it a "Paul Newman?" it's basically a trim package with sticker and embroidered script. The non FJ R30s are pretty much all called "newmans" but only the trimmed out ones are truly "Paul Newman versions."
Paul dug the car, so he put his name on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ajei5AB ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqef_ztj ... re=related
I couldn't let the car die, even if that meant I had to give it up. It was a hard choice but I made it. I have a special problem; Americans around here, for the most part are punk fanbois with no soul. If I let just anybody buy it, it would be blown up or wrecked within a week and I couldn't live with that. I endured a lot of hate mail in response to my ad, but those are the same people I was protecting it from so they must have felt my accusations to close to them. f*** them.
Someone contacted me though and I immediately got a good vibe. A former GT-R owner who appreciates classic cars, he has big plans for the car. A full restoration and a built motor. Unlike me he has more than enthusiasm, he has means. I watched it loaded onto a truck yesterday and roll out of my life.
There is an empty spot where it once sat.
I didn't get much for it but that was barely the point. I feel I have handed the keys to someone who can save the car from a certain rusty end. I hope I can now do my best to do the same with my remaining Skyline, the DR30. Luckily, I seem to have cornered the market on FJ parts and two-door R30 bits.
I will link the new owner to this thread and I hope he will let us see the car when the work is done. If it is even close to his plan it is going to look fantastic!
