By 1995, we were rapidly changing our thoughts about what cars would be included in our automotive collection. With the acquisition of the 1966 GTO with 4,200 miles in 1996, we leaned heavily towards extremely low mileage vehicles in excellent original condition. Therefore, this ’67 Ford Fairlane may have been the last fully restored automobile we bought for the Foundation.
Before this time, the industry was well aware of the Otis Chandler collection of mostly restored cars in Oxnard, CA. I not only knew of his collection, but had purchased his large (8" x 12") hard covered book entitled American Muscle. This book was, and still is, a classic in our industry. I had already been through the book several times, which outlined the cars in Otis’s collection and also gave a brief history of their rarity. The book was published in 1990, so it did not include recent purchases by Otis. However, of the 33 cars in the book, I was most impressed by his 1967 Ford Fairlane 500XL with its 427 – 2, 4-barrel engine and factory 4-speed. I knew it was rare and was not surprised in later years to hear that they made only 209 of these cars. The car had won awards and was restored by Bob Crowder and Jeff Mitchell.
Otis Chandler, by the way, was a major force, since he not only owned one of the most influential car collections in the country, but he also owned the Los Angeles Times newspaper and was heavily involved in auto racing. His company, the LA Times, sponsored the Grand Prix race at Riverside, CA from 1958 to 1973.
Therefore, when I received a call from Roger Gibson (a huge influence in Dodge and Plymouth classic cars and friend of Otis Chandler) in early March of 1995, I was astonished. I had met Roger at several car shows but never expected a phone call.
He explained that Otis was quick to change his mind on occasion and had called several of his closest car associates to explain that he no longer wanted one of the finest automotive collections in the world, but wanted the largest motorcycle collection in the country. His thought was to have four of us sell his cars in one week, so he could empty his exhibition hall of cars and fill it with antique and classic motorcycles. I truly gasped!
Roger went on to explain why he called me. It turns out that Otis had bought several cars since his book was published, including a Pontiac that he had recently purchased. The car, a ’69 Trans Am Firebird, had just started to become valuable and he told Roger to call me in case it was on my list.
It was on my list for low mileage cars, but I assumed I would not have to buy a restored car since over 600 had been made. I declined, but said I had Otis’s book and wondered if certain cars were still available. He said he had the list of sold cars, which was not too long because it was only the second day that the public knew of Otis’s decision.
I immediately asked about the ’67 Fairlane. He responded that was the original Connie Moore car and several people were interested, but Otis wanted a very high price. However, Roger said no one had shown interest in the Trans Am and Otis was very prone to sell multiple cars at a discount, especially with his new vision of the largest motorcycle collection in the country.
I told Roger I couldn’t thank him enough and that I needed the phone number for Otis. He quickly gave me the phone number and said, “Be sure you tell him Roger Gibson sent you!” I chuckled and said goodbye.
It was ten minutes of six our time, but I took a chance and called him immediately from our office. His secretary said he wasn’t in the office that day until I said the words “Roger Gibson” and “car collection for sale.” As expected, she said Otis would be right with me. He said that he had a board meeting at 3:00 Pacific time and had to run, but to call him back at 10:00 Pacific in the morning. Joan and I closed the shop and arrived at the house ten minutes later. Quite unexpectedly, the house phone rang – it was Otis.
He said, “The board meeting was cancelled until the next day. Which car were you interested in?” I quickly said “the ’67 Ford Fairlane.” He gave me a very high price. I knew the quality of that car was high, since both Bob Crowder and Jeff Mitchell had worked on the restoration, but that price was too high. I quickly added, “What would the price be if we add the ’69 T/A?” He responded with, “A very good package price.” So, I asked, “May I call you back?” – he gave me 10 minutes.
I called a Firebird collector in Oklahoma. He said, “I’d pay almost the same price that Otis quoted for both cars.” I called Otis back and said, “Yes.” I then called the shipping company and had the T/A dropped off in Oklahoma, and then the ’67 Fairlane was delivered here to New Hampshire.
I wish that was the end of the story, but the first three years I would look at the Fairlane with a big grin because it cost me practically nothing. Then, I found out the guy in Oklahoma sold the T/A and doubled his money – now I was down to a slight grin. Two years later, I saw the same car sell at auction for four times what I sold it for – slight grin turned into a total frown!
Written By Steve Ames, 2005
Last Edited: September 26, 2024, JA
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