Hello Ralph, and Thank you!
I did indeed buy the car in Alabama. The story of finding it is somewhat bittersweet. It belonged to a gentleman who recently passed. A good friend of mine for many years called me one day to say his neighbor was selling his classics and wanted to know if I was interested. So we took a trip up both to visit my friend and see the cars. The seller was fighting a valiant fight against cancer, but was determined to make everything easier for his family by reducing his fleet.
There were 2 cars. The Pagoda, and something I had never considered: A '67 Porsche 912. I test-drove both cars. The 912 was in far better shape, and was ready to drive the 400 mi home. The Pagoda, not so much. I made an offer on the 912, which was accepted, and I offered to take the Pagoda at a later date, if the seller couldn't find another buyer. So I picked up the 912 and we went home.
About a year later, I got another call. Sadly, the seller had passed, and the family remembered my offer, and took me up on it. We had to have the Pagoda trailered down, because the car wasn't capable of making the trip. So in the meantime, I've started the process of getting the car ready for the body shop, bought many new parts, fixed many systems. Given the bizarre employment climate we're currently in, the body shop that painted the 912 has put me off for several months while they try to find qualified workers.... not a good sign. But I'm patient. So there you have it. But the saga continues!
All the best,
