I WAS SEARCHING FOR A RWD FLEET DRIVE. I FOUND ONE ON A NICE USED CAR LOT IN COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA THAT HAD AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION. THIS WAS A VERY RARE LIGHT CREAM YELLOW MATCHING TOP WITH A FLAWLESS MATCHING LEATHER INTERIOR INCLUDING A SET OF FACTORY WIRE WHEELS WITH SKINNY WHITE WALLS. AT THE TIME MY FUNDS WERE EXTREMELY LIMITED. I FINANCED IT THROUGH THE OWNER AND PROMPTLY HEADED FOR CALIFORNIA.
UPON ARRIVAL AT PRESTIGE PRODUCTS IN LOS ANGELES, CHUCK BUTTE, OWNER WAS IMPRESSED WITH MY CAR AND SAID, YOU ARE THE ONLY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE I HAVE THAT IS DRIVING A CADILLAC. WE DID HAVE GENEROUS CAR ALLOWANCES INCLUDING ALL EXPENSES, BUT WE DID PROVIDE OUR OWN VEHICLES. CHUCK IMMEDIATELY INSTALLED A BRAND-NEW SET OF ROADSTER CHROME SPOKE DEEP REVERSED WHEELS. THEY HAD NOT BEEN EXTENSIVELY ROAD TESTED.
HE SAID, I WILL PUT A SET ON YOUR FLEETWOOD WITH A NEW SET OF VOGUE TYRES, LET’S ALSO DO A GOLD PACKAGE AND A GRILL. THE CAR WAS OUTSTANDING. DEALERS AND SALES PEOPLE LOVED IT ESPECIALLY BILL COX CADILLAC BUICK IN OAKLAND. THEY PUT THE WHEELS AND TIRES ON EVERY BUICK ROADMASTER. I HATED BEING ON THE ROAD NOT ONLY BECAUSE I DO MY BEST SLEEPING WHEN I DRIVE, BUT I HATE THE BUGS AND ROAD FILM ALL OVER MY CAR.
GARY SCHWARTZ GM WAYNE STEAD CADILLAC OF WALNUT CREEK SAID, I AM SAVING A SPOT HERE ON THE SALES STAFF WHENEVER YOU ARE READY. YOU WILL HAVE COMPLETE AUTHORITY TO RESTYLE OUR CARS. I DID SO. THE TECHNICIANS WHO WERE THE BEST I’D SEEN YET, SAID WHY DON’T YOU LET ME REBUILD THAT TIRED HT-4100 V-8 THAT WE ALL KNOW EVENTUALLY WILL DRINK OIL, EAT CAMSHAFTS AND THROW A ROD. I AGREED. I ALSO FROM PARTS DEPARTMENT WHO I MADE A LOT OF MONEY FOR, OFFERED ME A BRAND-NEW TRANSMISSION TO GO WITH IT. THE CAR WAS BETTER THAN NEW. IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO SETTLE UP WITH MY FORMER WIFE FOR $1,600 BALANCE ON CHILD SUPPORT SO I GAVE HER A $9,000 CAR WHICH SHE DROVE FOR MANY YEARS.