Thanks to Woj...

[CopoFan]

I finally got around to uploading pictures from my camera, and wanted to share something done by Phil (Woj) with you all which I consider above and beyond.

My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September, and while their party wasn't a surprise, we wanted to include a few surprises for the day. My dad suffered a major stroke early this year, so it made this event even more special since he spent months in rehab.

My brother and I being the car guys that we are (we got it from our father) noticed from their wedding album that they used a 59 Chevy for their wedding day. We thought it would be so cool to drive them to their party in a 59, but where in the heck could we find one, especially a 4 door? My brother has hit the Solon cruise every Tuesday night for years, and never recalled seeing one there. I had no idea Phil owned one.

Early August he saw Phil's 59 at Solon (he didn't know Phil at the time). This was one of the very few times Phil had it out in the 10+ years he owned it. So my brother waits by the car, way excited, and when Phil returned, says "can I ask you a very strange question? Would you be willing to take my parents to their party?" and tells him the story. Once my brother gave him his name/number, M22Mike, who was also there, recognized the last name, asking if he had a brother who owns "Ribbon COPO". My brother called me on the way home that night so very excited about this find!

Phil got in touch with me, offered his car up for as long as we need it. He detailed the heck out of it, replaced the gas tank, brakes, tuned it up, etc. He told us to decorate it if we wanted, although we chose to pass... the car itself was plenty, and we didn't want to risk any kind of damage to the 51 year old paint.

This car drove like a dream. So very quiet, no rattles or squeeks, and idled smoother than any of my daily drivers. What a ride! My folks were quite shocked, they had no idea what to expect when we told them they would be getting a special ride to their party. My dad immediately popped the hood to check it out, cane in hand, and proceeded to talk about 59 Chevy's for the entire ride.

Everybody who we have shared this story with cannot believe someone let us borrow their classic car like this.

Below are the three pictures from their wedding album that gave us this idea, and my lame attempt at trying to duplicate them. I didn't get enough of the car in the first two pics!

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/Car2.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8636.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/Car1.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8640.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/Car3.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8641.jpg

A few that I took of the car while there...

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8667.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8668.jpg

And a few pics of my family and I taking it back to Phil's. My girls loved the huge backseat and lack of seatbelts!

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8671.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8672.jpg

Phil, thanks so much again! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

Very cool story and an amazing gesture by all. Thumbs up!

[Steve Shauger]

A fantastic moment..Thanks for sharing it with us. Phil you are the best! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[mockingbird812]

Bob - what a wonderful surprise you gave your parents. You can see it in their expressions. You made a wonderful &quot;50th&quot; an even more special event. BTW, it doesn't surprise me that Woj did what he did. He is that kind of a guy. Kudos all the way around!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[wheelhop]

Great story! Thanks for sharing. Phil Woj is the man!

[StriperSS]

That's pretty cool!

[Xplantdad]

That's awesome....and Phil is a great guy as well! Congrats to your parents on their 50 years together! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[RPOLS3]

Now that's a really cool story.

Jake

[Woj]

Bob,

It was my pleasure to loan the car for such a special event. I'm very glad I took it to the car cruise that night and met up with John. I couldn't think of a better way to use the car.

A few days prior to the car cruise, I took the car to a sandwich shop near home. When I came out, there was a Ford Explorer parked next to me. There was an elderly woman in the passenger seat, with the window down looking at the '59 . She was crying. She said that her late husband used to own a '59 and that she had such great memories of the car. We chatted for a few minutes and moved on. Her and her daughter followed me for 2 miles to see it. I would not have expected such a reaction to a 4 door '59.

Phil Woj.

[sYc]

Awesome.

Once again just goes to show how much of a part automobiles play in our lives.

And the trend continues here, as members of the senior class here have asked to ahve their senior pics taken with our cars. The most recent one was taken next to Rob doing a burnout in the 2010 Yenko Camaro.

[SS427]

What a great gesture Phil. Now that is what this hobby is all about! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Postsedan]

Phil,

This story brought a tear to my eye. I say your 59 needs to be at MCACN`s 2011, proadly displayed!

Way to Go, Phil <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[PeteLeathersac]

That's just the coolest!.
Congrats to the happy couple!!!

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[MrsBillyBobcat]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sYc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Once again just goes to show how much of a part automobiles play in our lives.

</div></div>

I agree Tom! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

What an AWESOME story and great gesture on your part Woj! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

Thanks for sharing it Bob! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif It brought a tear to my eye too! (I'm a real &quot;softie&quot; esp. when it comes to seniors..I just love them!)

[427TJ]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CopoFan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/Car1.jpg </div></div>

Great idea and pictures! Note the dealer callout on the batwing trim.

[x Baldwin Motion]

That's just the coolest!.
Congrats to the happy couple!!!

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif


Phil, you rock !! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

[kwhizz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrsBillyBobcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sYc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Once again just goes to show how much of a part automobiles play in our lives.

</div></div>

I agree Tom! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

What an AWESOME story and great gesture on your part Woj! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

Thanks for sharing it Bob! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif It brought a tear to my eye too! (I'm a real &quot;softie&quot; esp. when it comes to seniors..I just love them!)

</div></div>



x 100


Ken

[ORIGLS6]

Great gesture Phil. Here's hoping all your generosity comes back to you 100 fold!



BTW, I <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: 17pt">LOVE</span></span></span> the '59!!!! Rare color combo I haven't seen in years. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

My Dad had an Ivory '59 Bel Air with bronze interior. Maybe the same color as the roof and deck of yours.

[Mr. Chevy]

Phil, you the man!!!!

Please, nobody go to East Cleveland looking for that dealership. I ASSURE YOU it does not exist any longer... When this picture was taken East Cleveland was a nice place to live, now it is a drug infested war zone.....

Very Nice Story!!

Rich

[CopoFan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Phil, you the man!!!!

Please, nobody go to East Cleveland looking for that dealership. I ASSURE YOU it does not exist any longer... When this picture was taken East Cleveland was a nice place to live, now it is a drug infested war zone.....

Very Nice Story!!

Rich</div></div>

LOL... so very true Rich. This corner is scary even in Google Street View (14481 Euclid Ave)! The shocking thing is that the building is still there and appears to still be a used car dealer.

[Bill Pritchard]

What an incredibly wonderful story! I agree, that kind of thing is <span style="text-decoration: underline">EXACTLY</span> what this crazy hobby we all have such a passion for is all about.

[Woj]

Just a quick note before bed. It was such a pleasure to loan the car to Bob and his family. They really made their parents' day and mine too. Bob, his wife and kids, dropped off the car after the ride to the hall, and we had a wonderful visit with a few beers. This has been one of my the best experiences with this hobby.

I bought this car years ago thinking I'd sell it (at least that is what I told my wife), but it has been so much fun, it will stay part of the family. By the way, it is a survivor with 27K original miles.

My best to your parents Bob.

Phil Woj.

[mockingbird812]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Bill Pritchard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CopoFan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr9/racinstalldev/IMG_8636.jpg
</div></div>

Hmmm....a 27K mile 'Survivor' about to transport a pair of 50 year 'Survivors'....how <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif is that?

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[mockingbird812]

That's what I'm talkin' about!!