Chad: I have done just as you for years. I have had Spits and GT6's for some
25 years and more recently did a ground-up on a Stag and TR4. I found this car
just 8 miles from my home. It was located in Oakville, Ontario having migrated
north via a U.S. service-man's brother. The original owner brought it over
from Europe to Fort Knox and then sold it to a fellow service-man. When owner
#2 left the forces he took it to the Chicago area. The story I get is that his
brother came to visit and fell in love with the car and as he was a racing
fanatic the brother gave him the car. Owner #3 and his wife exported the car
to Canada and drove it for many years. Owner #3 was killed in a strange
accident preparing for a Formula 2 race he was driving in. The widow drove the
car for some years and then put the car away, hoping to one day restore it.
A member of our TR club heard about the car and kept it under his hat for a few
years returmning periodically to make another offer. The widow refused to sell
too low because she knew what she had.
I got wind of the car and immediately made arrangements to see it and made an
offer. After some haggling, she agreed to sell it to me and I picked up the
complete Italia, partially disassembled with very rusty sills but otherwise
remarkably solid.
Needless to say, I am very excited and I am now on the hunt for any and all
literature and info I can find!
Steve Mc
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