After clattering along in Diesels for the last 200,00 miles I felt the urge to drive something with Ooomph, 6 cylinders, 24 valves and a Turbocharger. I was having trouble locating the engine I needed for ny 85 300D and I justified to myself a used car.
I went used car shopping for the legendary SAAB 900. Everywhere I called, the car had been sold the day after the ad posted. CARS.com and EBAY turned out to be useless. Finally I got wise and tried the off-the-beaten path newspapers where fewer people were likely to answer the ads.
After the third ad I found her. A SAAB 95 Turbo for $3500. Most buyers were getting 5 grand.The voice on the phone was husky and tough and already I had intimations of slippery circumstances. I told my spouse to stay home instead of to come with me as was the usual habit as I was headed to a riskier place.
I was right; the place was murky, even on a sunny Saturday afternoon it looked like the wrong place to be.
The seller was actually a nice sweet kid, just a little bit crazy and his nephews and cousins lived in the houses nearby. We struck up an unlikely friendship. But you didn't have to be a cop to know his other line of business. Too much cash and jewelry around. And he was eager to move the car for cold hard cash. "$2400, okay?" The service records on the car were immaculate and I wondered how the car had fallen into his hands. The last service record was for a new Clutch from a SAAB dealer in a Ritzy area. I was smart enough to not ask.
But I did photographically memorize the name of the previous owner and his phone number on the service records. The title appeared clean. I told the seller I would be back Monday first thing with Cash on Monday.
I never called him back. In the end Bruce called Sunday with my 300D engine. Common sense prevailed. I couldnt believe it but I listened to an inner instinct to keep it honest and simple.. I could have easily bought the car and sold it and made a pile of money. I guess I am truly 45 now...maybe five years ago I would have done the deal.
Anybody want me to call the original owner? I will always be curious to see how such a respectable car passed this way.
Anybody got another used car story? Buying used cars has always fascinated me....

Who is Bruce?

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Bill Reimels
Now down to one:
1972 300SE 3.5 W109 (Euro delivery)

Bruce is an indy who has a lot of Benz parts, an honest and decent guy

Where is Bruce the indy guy located?

__________________
Bill Reimels
Now down to one:
1972 300SE 3.5 W109 (Euro delivery)

I PMd you