What do you call someone who calls you and says"Hey I traded for a car for your sons first car today come and get it. You call him a good friend. When you find out it's a 50 2 door merc you call him a "damn good friend". My long time compodre and fellow club member did just that.I don't have any pictures yet but will get some soon. Nice car to boot.All he truly wanted was to see the delight in my sons eyes. Yes I will buy him something to replace it but you can't beat that from a buddy.I couldn't believe he was serious but he's just that kind of guy.Thanks Bill "Moonman"Rutledge.TP
Root, how do you pay a guy back on something like this. It blows me away.I appreciate the hell out of it ,but feel guilty also. Bill could sell this car and make a chunk of change.He has been my sons best friend for a long time. My son is only 13 years old too. He has always thouht Bill was the "man". I don't think he can truly relize the size of what he did.
I went for a long time looking for that "guy". I found several who were inspiring, none of which could fill the void I was searching for. My father lit the torch, but beyond his support, there was little in the way of mechanics or hand-on experience. I don't fault him, it wasn't his bag. He had an appreciation, having grown up near the Alexander Brother's garage, but that was about it. He was trying to earn a living to pay for his kids college fund and buy groceries. But when I was at that impressionsable age I was thirsty. I guess that's how I got the disease. Never had anyone as generous as your friend, but my drive to do what I wanted inspiered me enough to keep going, slow but sure, until I had my own humble garage, and my own projects. (Tax returns and bonuses at work helping me along.) What your friend did has probably made your son a friend for him for life. And at such a young age. Congrats to you for having a son who appreciates 'old cars', and congrats to your friend for keeping the torch burning.
[ QUOTE ] Root, how do you pay a guy back on something like this. [/ QUOTE ] Sometimes "pay backs" come in ways we don't realize. I had friend (almost 20 yrs. my junior), one of those kind of guys that seems to be able to do anything he puts his mind too and always willing to help. Anyway, when I was building my tub he came over and tacked together the Speedway header kit. Then he took it home and tig welded it all together. When I asked what I owed him he just said "don't worry about it". Later, he lent me an old tri-power setup to run on it 'till I could afford my own (didn't want to part with his 'cause he "might need it someday"). He was killed in a boating accident about a 1 1/2 years ago. At his funeral, through my tears, I said to his wife, I feel so bad, I was never able to repay Brent for everything he'd done for me. She looked me in the eyes and said "Yes you did. Everytime we came to listen to your band play Brent just enjoyed your music so much. You really gave him pleasure". I realized then that sometimes we repay our debts without even knowing it.
Being nice never goes out of style. Good friends are hard to come by. You and your son are very lucky.Be safe and Good Luck...
Just be his friend. Obviously he cares for you and your family. That says a lot. He may need your family in a time of crisis.
Root, me and Bill have been friends for over 25 years. We used to rodeo together in the 70's. We have been through thick and damn sure thin.Bill is a big guy and my son ask me how long I've known Bill and I told him I knew him when he was "skinny".I've watched his daughter grow up and he has seen mine grow up.We lost contact for a few years but have been around each other every day for about ten years now.He's one of these guys that if he has it and you want it, it's yours. He is absolutley, bar none the best "horse trader" I've ever seen.I imagine I've embarrassed him enough now so I'll quit. He reads the HAMB alot but doesn't post much.
i have a friend that always knew i wanted a panhead. he calls me up last year and tells me he found a 56 pan for me. i told him there was no way i could buy one right now and would have to pass on it. a few weeks later he calls me back and tells me he bought and its mine, pay him whenever i can. i still can't believe he did it, what a friend. it's people like these that keep the world going. also a big thank you to bob masters (you are the man)
Man, that is really fucking cool! Hearing stories like this always makes my day...and I really needed to hear something like this today! Thanks for sharing that with us...it's a real spirit-lifter!!
That's great TP! I have to agree, Bill is a hell of a nice guy, and the worlds best horsetrader. if he's got it, and you need it, it's yours. I bet HDB is pretty excited!
You don't always have to repay him directly. Doing similar things for others with out expecting an immediate return keeps the spirit of the gesture alive. Although a 50 Merc 2 dr is a pretty big gesture!!!
Ric, me and HDB is going out to Bills this evening. It's the first day he's been able to leave the pot[comode] in about 4 days.We have every old hotrod book we own out right now looking at chopped mercs.Now I have to find Bill something to replace it. He wants fins. TP
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