History Uncertain T has been found!

Thank you for the kind words.

After some weeks of back-and-forth, we (the former owner and myself) set an appointment for Beau and Dave to come look at it. Dave arrived first, Beau came about ten minutes later. While we were waiting for Beau and making small talk, Dave shared two very fascinating stories.

1. On April first of last year, months before he learned of the UT's resurfacing, Dave posted on his blog a picture of it announcing that it had been found (how's that for hype?) He says it created a firestorm of comments and quickly piled up over 9000 likes. At the end of the day, he posted "April Fools." That had to be one of the most epic April Fools' jokes in the car world ever. But it was also coincidently/ strangely foretelling of what was to come, as he had no idea how true what he posted would turn out be. As for us, that was the first time we heard anything about that posting. We looked at each other in amazement of that serendipitous revelation. But then it got weider.

2. As has been chronicled here on this post and other sites, the former owner was concerned about the safety and preservation of the car and he did not want it to get in the wrong hands. Whenever treasure hunter types started asking about it directly of him or some of his confidants, if he felt they were getting too close, he would move it from location to location, attempting to stay one step ahead. With that context, Dave shared that he was already an avid UT fanatic back when he still lived in Detroit. So he was excited about moving to San Fernando Valley and be right in the area where the UT was created and kept. He dreamed of finding it and soon took action. He tracked down every phone book he could lay his hands on of the area from back in the sixties and seventies. He heard rumors it might still be in the area kept in a garage. Criss-crossing names of leads through the phonebooks, he identified some very possible hiding places for the UT. This led to him and a friend to actually hopping fences and going across yards to see if it was hidden in some abandoned garage some place in San Fernando Valley. Of course, he never could find it ( and it has not yet been determined how close he got), but he hadn't given up on the dream of finding it one day. When he found out it might be just a few miles away from where he had been searching , his anticipation went through the roof. He still was Uncertain that it would be the real orignal Uncertain T, but the possibility he would soon be seeing the original caused a great deal of exciment in Dave that we both could see. Even though it was just a few minutes more waiting for Beau, he began nervously fidgeting in anticipation.

After hearing those 2 stories, we were completely convinced we were dealing with the right people who would do right by the UT. A few moments later, Beau arrived, and the rest is history.

 

HOPE this doesn't ruffle more feathers,
BUT where are Norm Grabowski's vehicles, the ones he owned when he passed.?

he had several......

 

Thank you for your observations.

My somewhat cryptic announcement back in December was due to a high level of excitement that I was experiencing at that time. I had just returned from the hand off where the ownership of the car and possession of it was transferred to Galpin Ford. It was right out of a Hollywood script, and to add to the effect, Galpin brought their documentary film crew. The experience was very emotional for all involved, particularly the former owner and Beau. I wanted to tell everybody every detail but had agreed to stay mum until they picked the right time to make their announcement. It may had been better had I not said anything but at the time I wanted people to start talking about it in general, leading up to Galpin's announcement. As it turned out, I think I would had gotten a better reception if I miss-gendered people at a transsexual convention. ( For the record, I have never been to a transsexual convention, but I hear you better be careful how you gender people if you do go.)

I will be at the Pomona show Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Hope to meet you in person! I will be the best looking person near the car and my name is Phil.

 

Nailed it.
Buick nailed it.

 

Duly noted. Thank you for the suggestions.

I am new here and did not realize Gonzo writing was forbidden. It will not happen again.

 

I guess I'm not hip enough to know what "Gonzo writing" is and why someone would aspire to pursue it?

 

Hunter S. Thompson would be rolling in his grave.

 

Gonzo writing is akin to tabloid journalism , a.k.a. grocery check out rag sheets .

 

Can anyone steer me toward an issue of hrm featuring this car? Ive been digging all morning

 

Most of us are here for the same reason.

A little shit talking is fun but there's no need to insult people and be dramatic.

https://www.tbucketplans.com/steve-scott-uncertain-t/

This article talks about it.

 

Perhaps. But there is a basis for my using the term "Gonzo." You correctly connected the term to Hunter Thompson, but do you know the back story as to how his writing came to be known as such?

The "Rumble in the Jungle" (Ali vs. Foreman) was in 1974. Everyone who could be there was there, including Hunter Thompson. The Boston Globe sent a reporter, Bill Cardoso. Bill met Thompson there and they became close friends. Bill had already coined the term "Gonzo" to label writing that had some combination of being outlandish, outrageous, or extreme (what many people on this site call "Hype.") Bill found Hunter's writing to be very Gonzo, and told him so. Hunter never heard his work called that, but loved the label and embraced it. The use of the term took off, and became used by other writers to describe a style that many people do not understand (example: Autistic people have difficulty with sarcasm.) The best documentary out there about Hunter S. Thonmpson is "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson" from back in 2008, and it documents all of what I am saying above.

Bill and his wife (Mary) retired to Kelseyville Calif. around the turn of last century. She got her real estate license shortly thereafter, and for the past 20 years has worked for me a sales associate. I send out weekly memos regarding real estate related things going on to all my agents, and they tend to be full of sarcasm, "hype", and standard humor. She in turn would read some these to Bill. According to Mary, at some point while reading one of my memos, he broke out in laughter and said "That guy is totally Gonzo!" (he meant it to be a compliment.)

So I can't speak to how Hunter Thomson would react in the grave, but I have from the highest authority on the subject that my writing is "Gonzo", thus my use of it here describing what I wrote. In the same manner Hunter Thompson's style pissed off a lot of people (possibly many on the spectrum), I think we all saw it happen again here after my use of it. Not everyone gets it. But we still love them. But they tend to not be the life of any party. They are the ones who insist on pointing out "It's all fake" at every magic show they go to.

Bill passed away about 16 years ago or so, but Mary is still selling real estate with us. Ironically, they/she lives just a few miles from the "barn in a vineyard in Lake County" that so many people thought was the secret hiding place of the UnCertain T. The barn exists (it is built like Fort Knox), but the UT has never been there. However, as part of the sale, Galpin agreed to bring the restored UT to Lake County (which Kelseyville is a part) 4 times. Dates have yet to be set, but the event here will be huge, gigantic, massive, history changing, not for the feint of heart... darn, there I go again! TRIGGER WARNING! : ) I love Gonzo.

 

Car is built and shown by Steve Scott. Car wins awards, a model contract blah, blah, blah. According to Steve, the car was sold by his wife, while he was out of town for two weeks. He claims she sold it in hopes that the sale would induce a heart attack (she seems like a nice lady ). Apparently the buyer was a "friend" of Steve's. Car is then parked for 40 years and apparently never touched/altered by Dick.

Beau buys it from Dick, claiming Dick bought it directly from Steve which doesn't mesh well with Steve's recollection of events. Steve goes on to say "this (the recent sale) has all been done without my knowledge, behind my back, in spite of many promises and agreements". Apparently Steve has no issue with Beau, the same can't be said for his former friend Dick.

If Steve isn't included in this documentary, keeping in mind, HE built the entire car from scratch, there is no person on earth in a better position to explain every single minute detail as it pertains to this car, as well as how his stories conflict with those of the person who sold it to Beau ... the documentary won't be worth watching.

I sold a "good friend" two snowmobiles many years ago. I sold them dirt cheap with the stipulation that I get first shot at buying them back, should they come up for sale. He ended up selling, without my knowledge, to someone else. I guess everyone has that one DICK of a friend

 

Yes.

 

I'm sure some here can relate but that's not really what we are all about here, a pretty focussed crowd for the most part.
I remember reading a quote from a comedian (don't recall who), something to the effect of "understand your audience".

 

Not only that, but you are an excellent writer! Thanks!

 

Thanks Mark, explains why I found zilch

 

All ribbing aside, the young man had a vision and the talent to make it come to fruition. I remember
all the young kids loved the car, like they loved Stingray Bikes and that was a lot......

 

I was one of those kids on the stingray bike, and in LOVE with that Rod. So glad to see it's back!

Here's one of my old toys. Where you think they got the idea for it? lol

 

Check this out!

 

That pic 'bout halfway through (4:49)........ I bet that left a "kiss" mark on the tire....

 

Lip's... is Lip's...

 

Never seen that pic before. Classic! But the prior owner has a magazine that is the equivalent of f Japanese Playboy, and the fold out has the nude model on one side, and UnCertain T on the other! This car got around.

 

I agree; it is a very focused crowd for the most part... Until someone's writing style ticks off the word-nazis. Then they seem to lose their focus a bit. Seems like some of the members are wanna-be editors of Vogue. But most everyone on here is super cool, knowledgeable, and fun.

The former owner of the UT visits his ranch in Lake County every month, and this is the week of his visit. I just had lunch with him, and he showed me more of his collection of magazines and news articles featuring the UT. This thing was all over the world (notoriety, not physically.) He showed me a Japanese magazine that was their equivalent of Playboy, and the UT is on the back side of the fold-out! People who don't get the significance of the this transfer to Galpin do not understand the impact this car had on the automotive world back in the day. To pretend it is not a mega-event is like saying "Beatlemania wasn't all that big, so a Beatle reunion would not be that big of a deal (if they were all still alive!).

There are so many layers to this story, and a big part of the story is unfolding now. The big question is whether Steve Scott will be willing to be part of this. For the complete picture to be presented, he has to get involved. His side stories could fill a book. We all want more details about the "slap".

 

There was a July 1966 HRM cover that was faked that had an Ed Roth type picture of the UT on the cover, but it was not the real thing. There was also some sort of special issue HRM that had it on that cover. The former owner has collected stacks of memorabilia related to the UT. He is up here in my area this week (I just had lunch with him). I will see him tomorrow and ask if he has a copy or knows someone who does.

 

I found this in this you tube video

 

Having read the various links provided about the construction of the car, I hope to see a listing of the various professionals who contributed to the high-level of construction and finish of the car.

 

I didn't have the magazine to check, pretty elaborate fake. Thanks

 

This is an example of where there is an absence of accurate information, it becomes a breeding ground for conspiracies and rumors. And there is a BIG absence of accurate information on the UT, and specifically the details of the sale back 40+ years ago.

I never met or have spoken to Steve Scott. I am sure he is a great guy, and I can understand his feelings of being disconnected from the UT. I designed my first small home in 1985, sold it 5 years ago, and the new owners did some things to it that made me sad, and then sold it without giving me a chance to buy it back. So I get it. I also understand they had no obligation to bring me into their life either. I am sure Steve felt like I did about my first house, and maybe far worse than I felt. But like me, he will get over it, hopefully.

For years he has been saying that he sold it to a friend. But as you point out, now on his Facebook page, he implies he did not sell it. Later he explains that his wife sold it, but throws her under the bus by implying he did not consent, and then he adds that she claimed she did it to try to kill him from a heart attack. But Steve also says that by selling the car recently, it violated an agreement he had with his friend. This begs the question; did he have an agreement to sell or didn't he?

It might be telling about his state of mind when upon hearing that it had sold, the first thing he posted was the question: "Does any know what it sold for?" When money is involved, memories can get murky.

I am a relatively new to the saga of the UT, and it is entirely based upon my friendship with the recent seller. I have known the man for 30 years, and he is of the highest character and his word is beyond reproach. His story has never changed.

A few years ago, Steve Scott received copies of a special edition Rodder's Journal that hi-lited the UT on the cover and had a big spread inside. He sent a copy to his friend to whom he sold the car to. On the cover he wrote:
"TO RICHARD: The best lifelong friend a guy could have! Steve Scott" Not the kind of thing you would write to the guy who sold your former snow mobiles.

Last Fall I was in SoCal at the former owner's shop (next to where the UT was being kept). He played a voice mail from Steve that he just received for me. In it, Steve apologized for not getting back, he referenced an on-going conversation about the car, said he had not been feeling well, that he needed time to get better, and when he did, he would reach back out. To my knowledge, that was the last communication between the two former owners.

I don't know about all that went on in the past, or all what they had been going back and forth over last year, but it would be false for anyone to conclude that this sale completely blindsided Steve. It was clear that Steve knew something was in the works, and it was Steve who requested a temporary halt to further discussions pending his reaching back out to Richard.

Between that voice message, and the fairly recent note on the magazine from Steve to my friend, I am perplexed at the new narrative now being put forth by Steve (implying the end of the friendship, the sale being done behind his back, and implying he had nothing to do with the original sale in the 80's.) More information would be helpful, but we may never know exactly all the facts. In other words, there is a lot more to the story, so don't be drawing any hard conclusions. I just hope they reach out to Steve, help him to the mainland, capture all he knows, and give him the chance to shine in the radiant light of his creation; he deserves that opportunity.