Howdy One and All,
This time of year I always like to sit back here in Mayberry and think of all the things that I have to be thankful for. It usually isn't too hard to come up with a rather lengthy list and this year is no different...
- Andy's generosity and warm cell
- Aunt B's great cooking
- moonshine that doesn't strike me blind
- Obama isn't president quite yet
- Brett Farve wasn't offered a position with the always amazing Cowboys
And this is just the short list! However, this year while I was making my list I did find just one small thing to complain about. It really wasn't a big one, and clearly won't keep me from enjoying a heaping pile of fried turkey later this week, but I have to admit, that this one is bugging me a bit.
I would be completely thankful this year if I had an extra $30,000 so that I could buy the amazingly unique '52 Ariel Square Four wooden racer that appeared on ebay earlier this week.
(CLICK HERE to check out the listing on eBay and a heap of photos)
The car is being offered by the St. Louis Car Musuem and according to the description:
A truly One of a Kind work of automotive art! Built by a west coast boat builder in 1959, this awesome wood car will complete any collection. The story behind the car is that the builder wanted a unique hotrod, one that reflected his superior woodworking skills along with his knowledge and love for boats. He started by building a wood body modeled after a Modern Mechanics Magazine article, then he sourced out an ultra rare 1952 Ariel Square Four motorcycle engine and transmission for the power. The suspension was taken from a Citroen of the era, and rest was all hand fabricated. Many parts are period correct new car pieces, the taillights are Cadillac, the headlights are generic part store replacements, and the fuel cell is a California Speed shop special.
After reading about the car I said to myself "We'll butter my butt and call me a biscut" I need to have this thing parked in my garage!
The car was originally built in 1959 and is equipped with an impossibly rare 1952 Ariel Square Four motorcycle engine, a smooth-running four-cylinder 1000 cc engine able to push out about 42 HP. That might not seem like much, but when driving the sequential four-speed and with a weight of only a mere 750 lbs this little wooden car has got to be a rocket.
It has been a long, long, time since I saw a car that was so unique that I was struck with an impulse to whip out the ol' checkbook and start writing out a check. Not that it would have cleared the bank, but that wasn't the point. Looking something like an overturned rowboat that was struck by a guy driving a little French car, this is by far one of the most unique rods that I have seen in years.
What do you all think...am I out of my mind, or is this one-of-a-kind rod an incredible find?
