I work at a servo so I see alot of cars. This little 1985 Carry had been coming in to work for years. The old couple, Charlie and Berrel, had owned it since new. I would look after them every time they came in, check the tyres, fill the petrol, wash the windscreen etc because they were quite old and just lovely people. Any way, poor old Charlie passed away about 2 1/2 years ago. Berrel didn't drive so the Carry sat in the shed. I saw her a while ago and while having a general catch up chat she said 'I've still got that little car in the shed, why don't you come and get it. I don't need it, you can have it. You were always so nice to me and my husband, he thought the world of you for helping us all the time, he would have wanted you to have it.' I was floored. I didn't really need another project, but my son gets his L's soon, so why not do it up for him.
I went over to check it out to see what I would need to move it onto the trailer when she handed me the keys and said 'just drive it....it goes!' Her son had kept it maintained so it fired up straight away. Also, its got 4 new tyres, new brakes, new battery, new starter motor and a new alternator....all fitted just before Charlie passed on.
So yeah, that's the story. It's going to be de-badged and resprayed the factory color, window tint, some little mags, maybe lower it a inch or two, a stereo and an exhaust for a bit of a note. Should be cool. Also, out of respect, the van is going to be named 'Charlie'. A sign writer mate of mine is going to paint the name in the corner of the back tailgate for me.
Sorry for the long post, but I thought the story was worth sharing.
