Mike Schmidt wrote:
" As long as Fontville stays dead, the bike is worth saving. So John, buy her a paint job."
Mikei and all,
Here's da deal: The second Ferrari I drove was a 1966 330 GT 2+2 owned by a very generous doctor. He told me that he used to always drive his car. Then he had her repainted and now she was made of "crystal"! He hardly ever drove her. Perhaps for fear of a bird dropping, a scratch or worse.road dirt!
In Nina's case, she is better served enjoying her bike and gaining the knowledge of the bikes special heritage. Will that in fact lessen her enjoyment? It might. And that would be too bad.
A paint job would only give her reason to relegate the bike to the "Sunday" ride. But I'd buy her a beer.
John T.Pergolizzi
Brooklyn, New york
Now cleaned up
On Sat Aug 19 14:57 , "John T.Pergolizzi" sent:
Dear list,
Mike Schmidt wrote:
"The owner's name is Nina. A rather attractive young lady with green eyes who is reluctant to give up the bike due to sentimental reasons.; She works freelance and had her McLean tied up outside my building for several months. Nina and I discussed the bike and I tried to buy it off of her to no avail. By sheer coincidence, she rides by John Pergolizzi a few months later. Pergo remembers our conversation and John being as shy and reserved as he is, calls out to Nina her by her name.& Nina stops and wonders how this stranger knew her name. Pergo gets her email though and the dialogue continues to rescue this McLean frame from its ultimate demise."
What follows is the bulk of my last correspondence with Nina:
"Nina, Do you still have your McClean?" "hi john yes, i do... it's such a hard thing to give it up. i completely respect how you want to clean it up, restore it... it's just so hard to let go of it. i love that bike! but, i still could be open to some kind of arrangement, maybe? hope all's well with you, nina"
I have to disagree with the premise of "ultimate demise". Here is an example of someone who REALLY loves her bike. AND rides her. Wouldn't it have been a much greater shame if that bike had hung in some shop some where or in a box and then been unearthed to be coddled and have some "collector" sweat over "build it or not" or even "RIDE her or not"? I say "RIDE HER INTO THE GROUND!" I hope Nina keeps that bike and continues to love to ride her. When all is said and done, all we have are memories. And that bike gives Nina GREAT memories. And us a good story by the graces of the bike gods.
John T.Pergolizzi
Brooklyn, New york
Still sweaty after todays 50 miles