The last pic 1976 plate. My registration for 1977.
How does the Orange Boss tie in?
Sick of my stories yet?
Lets go back to late summer 1976
I went to my job at Hooper-Stanaway Ford in Ishpeming on a part day Saturday think it closed at noon.
Dennis was shop foreman. I was doing cleanup my first job. I had been told to stay away from covered car on old Rotunda front alignment machine there was a newer alignment machine to the right both over a pit. Sweeping under near car I kept looking at the mysterious shape wondering what was under all the blankets and covers. Finally curiosity got the best of me as cover not quite covering front spoiler and saw it and bright Grabber Blue paint. Just as I lifted the cover I heard a voice behind me (Dennis) what ya doing? I probably stuttered and stammered but said I am so sorry I know I was not supposed to touch it but was curious as to what it was. It was like ok, would you like to see it? I said sure. He started pulling off the covers and I had to have been drooling. Best looking car I ever saw!
Covers were pulled off I was in AWE no clue what a Boss 302 was, The large tires, The Hood Scoop, The rear spoiler, the louvers, front spoiler the Boss stripe just glowing changing colors under the lights.
He Then says it has been a while since I blew out the cobwebs would you like to go for a ride? Who me? If my knees quit knocking maybe I can climb in. Now this was a well modified Boss 302 with 12.5 compression ****** Headers that crossed over and it only had ****** Header shorty mufflers with turn downs. It shook the place. At the time it had a Detroit Locker and 4.88 Gears and of course the Boss 4spd. As Dennis turns out onto Highway 41 he runs it through the gears and turn around by the tiny shack used by think it was WDMJ we turn around and wide open again! WoW what a lifetime thrill! 4.88 gears and 7500 RPM as we pull into the dealership shop and stop he looks over at me and says. I have NEVER seen anyone this excited about the car. Would you like to buy it?
Mind you I had a new 1975 RD350B I had bought day I graduated my only transportation as had no car. I said I dont have 10.00 in my pocket filled bike up from dad's gas pump to get to work. He said what bank do you deal with? I said Roger Pietro Miners bank. (Roger a good family friend was president of bank) He leaves goes inside office I was still sitting in car drooling. A race car space ship I was sitting in! Seemed like minutes and he comes back out and says (Roger said ok he will allow 2400.00 so I guess I will sell it to you for that sign here if you want it) I am like what will I do with my bike still in shock? He says, oh, you can leave it in dealership until monday then get a ride to pick it up) I hop in da Boss and head for home the most exhilarating moment of my 19 yrs. I get on it just a touch here and there cruising the country roads the 10 miles home.
I pull up to front of house where there is a very large picture window with small panes next to where dad usually sits in his chair reading the paper.
I pull up close to house and I can see the windows vibrating and dad pops his head up and looks out window. That wild cammed 12.5 to 1 Boss has dad headed outside!
I was still sitting in car with door open still hand on steering wheel.
Dad goes who's car where did you get it? (appears I am in trouble) I got it from Hooper-Stanaway.
How much did you pay? I said 2400.00 (same price he paid for his new '66 years before)
He said you paid how much for a old used car? I said yup. He goes they took advantage of you you should have told me to help you buy it we are going to make them take car back right now.
He goes in house heading for the telephone, my heart had totally sunk. I didn't care what the car costed I wanted it. Not sure if I pinched my self but best day of my life and now it is ruined. I did know the dealership was closed.
Dad calls it rings and rings. Dad says well we will have to bring it back on monday first thing!
We go back out to car dad looks it over says it is in really nice shape.
He climbs in sits behind wheel. He says well let me take it for a test drive.
I climb in passenger seat thinking dad never drives fast (used to have race cars) He will drive it nice and not know what it's really nice.
SHOCKER to me as we pull out of driveway dad jabs it to floor and bangs all 4 gears! Whoa dad what just got into you. We go about a mile down road to his brothers house go back home pull in driveway sitting there saying nothing. Me thinking my dream machine now gone. Dad turns to me with the largest smile I had ever seen and he says: It's good I guess you can keep it!
Car a bit dusty so figure I will give it a wash. Dad comes out with camera (only photo i know he ever took) Takes the pic of me standing next to car!
How is the Orange Boss connected one may ask?
Well, I was friends with Dennis brother Rusty in high school. Had not heard or seen from him since. Blue boss gone forever I restore the Orange '70. I am at a very large Muscle Car show I had just Won BEST MUSCLE CAR! A guy walks up who I did not recognize with a friend and says wow. This is a really nice car. Then says My brother Dennis had a blue one years ago sold it to Randy H. back in Michigan. I say are you rusty? He says yes, I say well I am that Randy! Quite the experience. Got caught up on life exchanged phone numbers but that was last time we spoke.
One can see the card in windshield with gold star. I got a nice Platimum record to go with it.
this has anything to do with it?
