Recently, a good friend of mine, Rich Paladin, p***ed away at 57. He was tight with my dad, so ever since I was a kid, he went with us to car shows and swap meets a lot. Back in 1975, he bought a 51 Mercury 2 door coupe and restored it with a custom style that was very popular in the midwest at the time. Two tone paint and a two tone velvet interior, quite a flashback in todays world of customs. I always used to ask him if he'd sell me his Merc, it being my favorite of many vehicles he was always working on. He always just used to laugh. Well, when he died recently, he left me the car. When his health was failing, he called me up, explained how he wanted the car in good hands, but also that he'd haunt me for the rest of my life if I ever pulled the flatty out and dropped a Chevy in it. In August, I got the car, drove it to Lead East, and had a great time with it in honor. Rarely driven, it had never left the Cleveland area, so my 18 hour trip to NJ and back without a problem must have had some help from him. When he got older and could no longer wrench like he used to, he sent another of his cars to a restoration shop in Missouri. He waited for 10+ years for the car, and died waiting. I recently got the shop to finish the car and got it home, now have a 58 Sunliner as well. If you know anyone thinking of having a 57-59 Ford Retractable or Convertible restored, stay away from a shop in the state of Missouri that specializes in these cars, unless you want to wait nearly 13 years for your car. Anyways, I just wanted to honor and thank a great friend ,Navy vet, and local hot rodding legend, Rich Paladin. He was a gentle giant, and a true original.
Sadly, there are shops that do this lonnnnnnnnnng-term deal just so they can swallow an old or sick man or woman's car. It always pays to have a written contract and a ***le on anything a shop is working on or building for you, even if you're not old or sick. The days of handshake deals at car custom/rod shops have long been over but some just haven't gotten the message. Glad to hear, in this case, you were able to get the vehicle back, there are times when survivors and friends don't even know where a car is when someone dies, but oddly, the shop owners always know when the guy died, and the next ride out their door, again oddly, always seems to be the lonnnnnnng-term job. S***.
Good point. I can't stress enough the importance of getting a completion date on your contract. He tried working with the law but was screwed without that date in the contract. He had to hire a photographer from the area to go to the shop monthly and take pics that proved that the car was being worked on. Took lots of money, time and heartache. Especially to a guy who always worked on his own cars, but in his later years, was forced to pay someone to do it for him.
coudlnt have happened to a better guy.the yare in good hands now. was rich ever at the road rash bashes he looks very familiar?
Hey Kevin, sorry to hear about Rich. It was a pleasure to meet him at your Bash. What's cool is that in your one picture of him, that's a Road Rocket standing with him, Mikey! He was so nice and we talked for a long time about his Merc and how much he thought of you and your dad. he was a true car guy and a good Ford man. Knowing you, you will take great care of his pride and joys. Can't wait to see you guys and hope all is well in your neck of the woods. ~All of the Indy Road Rockets PS: If I was Rich I wouldn't worry about the Chevy motor and thinking more about a straight axle!!
was rich ever at the road rash bashes he looks very familiar?[/quote] Thanks Flop. Rich brought it to the Road Rash Bash in 06'. It was the first time the car was on the road since the 80's. You couldn't miss him, around 6'8", beard like an old sea captain, sat at the picnic tables and talked from early afternoon until close to midnight.
yeah i remember talking with him .about nuthing imparticular just a friendly conversation of cars and how we traveled up from pittsburgh and how you(kevin) come down to our shows. . after i took a closer look at the pics i saw all the tabels and chairs set up for your party. take care kevin maybe i will make a run up your guys way this winter for sumthin to do.
I am sorry for your loss.Obviously you made a positive impact on his life also.A good man usually keeps good company.Beautiful cars deserve a good care taker.
Glad to hear(read) the car is in your hands and glad to hear(read) you are still honoring him. I didn't know the story behind your Merc when I saw you/it at Lead East. That makes it even more special.
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