Well, it is gone.
For several years I have been
working on my 1959 Custom Royal Lancer 2 door hdtp. It was the one on the cover
of the 2004 Calendar (I think that was the year). It was the two toned blue and
white one. Anyway, it was up at a shop getting the final touchups done on my
frame off restoration. As luck/fate would have it, the fires that we had in
Southern California swept right through the area where the car was and it was
totaled. Nothing restorable. A total loss. I also had a second ’59 CRL that was
being used for parts. Also destroyed. The building collapsed on top of the cars,
the glass melted, the bodies twisted from the heat. Gone. I still had to do
assembly, but I had most of the parts up there with the car.
The shop insurance is not
covering it…calling it an act of God. My insurance, Hagerty, is actually
covering it so that is good news.
The whole thing is very
depressing, obviously. All the work to do the frame off, gone. Two more ‘59’s
lost to history. Money lost that even the insurance does not fully cover. Very
sad.
I did want to thank all those on
the list who have helped me over the years. This has been a great source of
information, parts and general support. I don’t post often but I always read and
so again, I say thanks. I will keep on the mailing list. Even now, I take a peek
to see if there is another 57-60 FL car for sale…...to start the process all
over again. What else can you
do?
James Zurek
San Diego
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