In a message dated 1/2/03 4:03:58 AM, mcnock@EASYSTREET.COM writes:

<< My fix: >>

I'm reminded of a wannabe greaser I worked with when I was a kid.  The
greaser had bought a pristine '53 Mercury Monterey 2-door hardtop, burnt
orange on the bottom and ivory on top which had been brought from the Left
Coast by one of our town's most ardent motorheads.  It was 1969 in the heart
of the Salt Belt, so any old Mercury's still plying the boulevards were
covered with pop-riveted patch pieces.

One day at lunch, the greaser was telling me about the new car he bought.  My
heart sank when he told me what he had paid for it.  As cherry as it was, I
thought it was unattainable when, in reality, I could have easily bought it.
The greaser went on to tell me how he was "customizing" his new ride.  First
he painted it flat black to get that mean hot rod look.  He said the paint
job turned out pretty good, although it was a little thin in spots because he
only had enough money for 7 cans of spray paint.  At the time, a can of spray
paint cost something like 49 cents.

He favored the California raked look, so to get just the right stance, he cut
two short lengths of 2X4's and wedged them between the rear axle and the
frame rail kickups.  I was livid.  In hindsight, I should have dropped the
son-of-a-bitch on the spot for ruining what remains to this day one of the
most beautiful cars I have ever seen.

George