Reunion Road Trip -- Plymouth GTX Stars, Ford GT has Cameo
I'm back after 2,200 miles, six days and two high-school reunion events in Denver.
I'll chronicle the Ford GT's road trip aspect in our long-term blog, but let's just say the car was trouble free and an easy partner to live with during the journey (big surprise, right?).
As for the 20-year high-school reunion, the thought of bringing my 1970 Plymouth GTX back to Denver last summer, and then driving it to the event this summer, worked out pretty well. The first of two night's reunion festivities took place at Braun's Bar & Grill in downtown Denver. I arrived at the event early to beat traffic and try to get a decent parking space (limited parking downtown because of early preparations for the DNC in Denver next month). Much to my surprise, I actually ended up with "showroom" parking right next to the entrance.
This made it tough to miss the car, and plenty of people remembered it from two decades ago. Lots of "As soon as I saw that car I knew you were here" and "I can't believe you still have it. Very cool!" comments.
BTW, despite the GTX's 11-month "nap" since last August it fired right up after a night on a Battery Tender, and it ran great while I was back there. Can't wait to bring it back to L.A. this fall.
The second night's activity occurred at The Denver Athletic Club. I switched to the Ford GT for this event, but the car ended up in a parking garage where no one really noticed it. A couple classmates saw me arriving and leaving, but with no history (obviously nothing like the GTX) the GT was more about the drive to and from Denver than any real reunion connection.
I thought about it later and realized I could have driven to GT to Braun's the first night and the GTX to the DAC the second night, but it worked out so much better this way considering which of the two cars would potentially resonate with my classmates.
The reunion itself provided plenty of fun during both events. It was a little weird thinking about 20-years passing since I saw most of these people, but I was impressed with how clearly everyone was enjoying themselves. And the old stereotype of folks "letting themselves go" -- not really true in this case, at least not for those that showed up. Certainly the one girl I always considered the "major babe" of our graduating class still looked amazing (shhh -- don't tell the wife I said that...).
If you get an opportunity to attend one of your high-school reunions I'd strongly suggest you take it -- even if you don't still own the car you drove back then.
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer July 21, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Ford, Muscle Car, Road Trips
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- Ford GT, Plymouth GTX
Got my 45th high school reunion coming up this fall. Looking forward to it. I've been to most if not all my reunions, and they've all been fun. I still keep in touch with a few of the guys I used to hang out with.
Oh, if you're wondering why a 45th rather than wait for the 50th? Well, the sad fact is that my former classmates are dying... So, from this point on it looks like all our future reunions will be at 5-year intervals.
Certainly the one girl I always considered the "major babe" of our graduating class still looked amazing (shhh -- don't tell the wife I said that...).
Hope your wife is way too busy to be reading this blog.... ;-P
Good to know that you had fun. Welcome back.
Its cool that your high school goes to such efforts for a reunion. I seriously doubt mine will. That being said, my university homecoming is pretty huge so I'd more look forward to that anyways.
The '92 Dodge(Mitsubishi!) Colt I drove in high school is several years gone now unfortunately :( You want an economy car? Forget the Prius, Smart or Civic (NG).....that Colt had a matchbox sized engine with rediculous fuel economy.
Karl thank you for letting work on the gtx it is a very nice car but next time I would like too go for a ride in the gt thanks agin john.
Thanks, Karl! It's been fun reading about all the reunion stuff.
Hey Karl. Jim Watston (Linke) from Reuinion. There is a picture on your computer that you showed at the reunion saturday night. It was a picture of all of the Auto shop guys. The kangers, Gutkowski, Rutt, Me Jim Watson. I would really love to have it. It also has Brent Danielson who has passed on while we were in school. Its really important to me. My email is
James-l@comcast.net
Or
James_linke@yahoo.com
Oh Yah Nice car. I would of loved to race you from street light to street light in my bucket. You did see the bucket from the roof!. Im sure you herd us leave. Girlfriend left a huge burn out in front. Later.
Names! who was the babe?