Rare Honda N360 With a Laverda Twist Part 2

After we got down the hill we decide to go by the radio station and see if we can meet the radio show host ( I’ll call him mike) we get there early and he hasn’t arrived yet. Not wanting to sit around for an hour we head out to cruise the side streets in search of treasure.

The first stop is to be two cab over Jeep trucks Alan spotted while on the way in. When we arrive they’re sitting back off of the road about 50 yards near a garage sized shed amongst the grape vines.

Coincidence, fate, I don’t know but on the gate post; Mike the radio hosts last name. Could it be mikes house and his Jeeps? We both wonder. Not wanting to trespass we decide to go over to a nearby house and ask. We end up talking to a renter and he informs us that yes; those are mike the radio hosts Jeeps. He would call Mike and see if it was OK to check out the trucks.

Mike said it was fine for us to have a look. We walked back and took a look at the Jeeps. Sitting there behind the Jeeps in the shed were a vintage BMW motorcycle, a small Yamaha dirt bike, and next to them a partially covered 1961 Laverda 50cc scooter. A true barn find!

Alan and I both looked at each other, knowing each of us wanted that scooter. LOL

This Laverda scooter had only 574 miles on the odometer and an original California Black and yellow license plate with an encircled E . Meaning this was a state or municipal owned scooter when new. It also still has the dealer sticker on the side.

One thing for sure we had to go back to the radio station to ask Mike about it. On our way there Alan said he could see how bad I wanted the scooter and I could buy it if it was for sale. But; I would owe him one.

Along the way back we (mostly me) stop and look through the fence at an old fire truck. Common sense kicks in and we drive on.

In another blog I will write of some other oversized cars in my possession.

We get to the radio station before mike and wait. When he arrives Alan introduces himself and Mike remembers him right away. They talk about the Jeep trucks. I’m introduced by Alan who informs mike I want to buy his scooter. Mike says he had it running at one time only not very well. It turns out he will sell it. He now has only a couple of minutes to be on the air, so I pay him real fast and we say our good byes.

Now; happy as a clam off to pick up the Laverda. We arrive at the shed, load the scooter, and head home along the way picking up some delicious Thai food for lunch.

After getting home I spend a couple of hours scrubbing the moss & lichen from the Honda n360. Another forty five minutes cleaning the dirt and oil off of the Laverda. It’s amazing what a little elbow grease will do. In the next few days I plan to wax them both.

I hope this story was enjoyable and not too long.

Lee

Laverda movie link; http://www.laverdaforhealth.org/laverda-video.wmv

Myth Of The Woody Wagon Part 1

Have you ever had some one tell you they've heard of some rare car just sitting in a barn near by? I have and this is that story.

One day I'm driving my 1952 Chevy station wagon and am parked in town. This man comes by and starts talking old cars with me. After 10 -15 minutes he tells me there is a Woody Wagon in a barn here locally. Well my interest was piqued then. Where is it? I ask. He goes on to tell me; I've never seen it. A friend had told him about it. I tell him that I would love to see the car, and if he didn't mind would he ask his friend to call me. I give him a business card at we say goodbye.

Part of me thinks this guy is fool of bull. But you never know. A month or so goes by and no call from the friend. Now I'm thinking the story was actually just that. A story.

Living in a small town and knowing pretty much every old car guy, I started asking around about the mythical woody wagon. No one knows any thing about it. A year goes by then another. In my mind the car doesn't really exist. I go about life not thinking of it anymore.

About six months later I get a call from a man (Fred) Who wants be to help him put in a very complicated foundation for a house. If you know me, foundations are not my favorite things to build. The only reason I said yes is that it was going to be a straw bale house and I wanted to get in on building one.

I'm putting in this foundation, talking all day during the process am getting to Fred better. I tells me his history with building,cabinet making, and life in general. Meanwhile I'm telling my story and include my love for old cars. "Oh your the guy that has the old station wagon out front of your house" Yep that's me.

Anyways; after three weeks and 60 yards of concrete we're done. We go our separate ways.

A couple of months later I get a message on my answering machine from Fred. He was on a job and found an old woody station wagon sitting in a building. Holy Sh#! it does exist!! I call Fred that evening to find out the story. He tells me it's way out; but not where. He wants to get it himself. Maybe get it as trade for labor.
the only problem is he's not a car guy and doesn't know how to work on them. he is asking me what I think. I ask him where it is and he won't say. The people don't want anyone to know it's there he says. I tell Fred to get the car and I will help him anyway I can.

A few weeks go by and I'm still on pins and needles. I give Fred a call. He tells me that the owner decided not to part with the car. It was her late husbands and it still had sentimental value to her. Where is it? I ask. I can't tell you; sorry, Is the reply. AAAggg so close to seeing it, yet so far. Well at least I know it truly is real.

I start asking everybody who may know something about this car. Nothing.

Life and time goes on and it fades to the back of my mind. That is until one day I walk into the local auto parts store my buddy Dave owns. He asks me if I want to go out this weekend to see this woody wagon in a barn? A costumer had come in and asked Dave if he might know anyone interested in buying it. Dave was.

The weekend FINALLY arrives and away we go. Seven miles of paved road and another 15 or 20 of dirt and we're there.

To Be continued