THE 1963 THUNDERBIRD ITALIEN


Chapter 8 - The INSURANCE SALESMAN

Copyright © Thomas Maruska 2008
All Rights Reserved


Again, not much is known about this guy
His name is Joe,
and he registered the Italien in December, 1974.
In an interview with Mustang and Fords Magazine in January 2001
Don Chambers tells of his friend Joe...
"...thought his friend Joe was being silly when he screamed 'I now where that car is!' "
They were leafing through a hardcover car book when they came across a picture of the Italien.
Later Joe went back to a location he had frequently seen the car
and approached the owner about purchasing it.
The owner didn't know how special the car was and sold it for a very low price to Joe.

 The M&F Magazine says this happened in 1971, but as I said earlier the registration indicates 1974.

Reportedly Joe kept the car until 1980 and drove it regularily in his insurance business.
You may recall that The Italien had a tri-power on the engine.
Joe was no mechanic and if you've owned a tri-power
car you know you have to maintain the adjustments on the three carburetors
 or it simply won't run right.
Joe was finding that out early in his ownership.

Likely the reason the Gardener was so eager to get rid of it.

He couldn't take care of the tuning and adjusting himself but he knew someone

who could...


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