Amazing Thing cache found!

bmwloco · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:55 pm Post subject: Amazing Thing cache found!

Weeks ago, a gentleman approached me and wanted to buy my Thing. Politely I told him "no".

Last night, he stopped by again and gave the number of a gentleman who was "...selling off his Thing collection..." and gave me his phone number.

After spending th day doing winter cleaning of the house and washing the dogs, I sat down around 3pm and called the gentleman with the Things.

Long story short, he's in physical distress and has to sell off the Things and two Beetles. Some of the cars were only 18 miles away, in a small mountain community, being stored. The good one's are at his house. He gave me directions to the stored cars.

The sun was shining, my Thing is running good, so I set out.

After leaving the Interstate and winding way, way into the WNC Mountains, I passed a small bar, found the church, turned left and then found the address.

As I pulled into the area "...past the house..." it just turned beautiful. Towering Pines, proably 200-300 footers, encircled the whole area. As I drove up the moutain, I passed a '69 Beetle. It look like it was just parked - and hadn't moved in 20 years.

When I reached the coves clearing, I found two Things and another Beetle. One was a '74 with a hard top, rear glass out. Moss growing, beautifully, on the rear deck storage area.

The other was possibly a '73. No top, it was pretty beat, but far from gone.

He wants to sell 4 Things and 2 Beetles. Photos to follow soon.

Towel Rail · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject:

Nice! They must be saved! Smile

_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009

surferdudedav · Samba Member Joined: May 20, 2004 Posts: 517

edge of my seat bro!

bmwloco · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:59 am Post subject:

As soon as I can get my camera downloaded, I'll post shots.

I'm going to call later today and see when we can meet to see the other two Things!

babyshots · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:27 am Post subject:

You're probably at work or something, selling Porsches, aren't you? Dangit, why do you have to have a job and all, and can't satisfy our curiosity before you silly career and monetary needs?

Patiently we shall have to wait.......... Very Happy

Of course, I STILL haven't saved up enough nickels anyway Crying or Very sad

Dang that mortgage....
_________________
Does your car say "Semi-Automatic" on the back?

bmwloco · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:53 am Post subject:

Yup, I'm at work. Slow day. It's Monday.

I called the Thing owner again this morning. He has four Things and two Beetles he wants to sell. Maybe we should collectively get together and buy 'em then part 'em out...

I should have the photos of the first two Things up later today, probably 9pm EST.

bmwloco · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:09 am Post subject:

Photos, finally!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

There are no engines in the cars. Pans are questionable. I found a box inside each with all the bright work.

I'm keeping the hard top off f the '74. There are still two more to be seen, both runners. Also, too Beetles, one a '69, the other a '71.

There are speedos in both. The glass looks pretty good.

Everything was in dry storage until "grampa" tore the chicken coop down this past summer.

bciesq · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:48 am Post subject:

Any engine tin?
_________________
'73 Thing -- making 45 mph exciting again.

babyshots · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:25 pm Post subject:

Hey, those might be in my price range after all! Razz

_________________
Does your car say "Semi-Automatic" on the back?

Pinky · Samba Ass Bandit Joined: December 31, 2003 Posts: 554

Both of those cars spent years out in the open in a junkyard behind the Tarwheels Skating rink and the old Gene Lumus Harley Davidson shop on Melody Circle in Swannanoa up until about 2 or 3 years ago. I wondered where they had wandered off to. I tried to buy that hardtop about 3 or 4 years ago, but the guy wasn't selling. Hope you get a deal on the top and congrats on finally finding one close to home. What kind of shape are the other two Things in?

scottienoel · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:55 pm Post subject:

Where in the mnts. did you find this, being a former Cullowhee resident myself.
_________________
"The edge, there is no honest way to explain it as the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over." HST

bmwloco · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:56 pm Post subject:

Ah, good to know the history of the Things. Interesting.

I've yet to see the other two, but soon.

Pinky · Samba Ass Bandit Joined: December 31, 2003 Posts: 554

bmwloco · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:08 am Post subject:

North Buncombe County in the Flat Creek area.

The other cars are in Swannanoa and Mills River.

Spread, essentially, all over Buncombe county.

bmwloco · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:03 am Post subject:

The gentleman who owns the 4 Things and 2 Beetles should be available soon (he had some medical issues).

As soon as I get more photos, and inventory what's available, I'll post here.

Vincent Motorcycle enthusiasts trade and sell parts to keep the bikes running. I like to think the Thing deserves the same. We need to keep the old bricks on the road!


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