V8 REGISTRY - 34 YEARS OF CORVAIR DRIVETRAIN CONVERSIONS
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  • Table of Contents
  • Members Vehicles
    • Randy Abercrombie - Gray, Ga
    • Jim Acker - Seattle, Wa
    • Joseph Acquisto - Stone Ridge, New York
    • Allen Affleck - Lambertville, New Jersey
    • John Albera - Mohnton, Pennsylvania
    • Quinton Alcorn - Hilliard, Ohio
    • Darwin Allbritton - Jonesboro, Arkansas
    • Jim Allen - Peoria, Illinois
    • Jim Allen, Jr. - Mesa, Arizona
    • Mark Allen - Decatur, IL
    • Bob Ambrose - 66 LS1 Coupe
    • Alllen Amrine - Colorado Springs, Co
    • Rob Amsler, Ocklawaha, Florida
    • Doug Andress - Madeira Park, B.C. Canada
    • Bill Andrews - Saraland, AL
    • Rick Andersen - Bonita, California
    • Rob Anderson - Springville, Tennessee
    • Curtis Armstrong - Spokane, Washington
    • John Arnold - Reno, Nv
    • Ken Arnold - Riverdale, Georgia
    • Rafael Arroyo - San Leandro, California
    • Brett Aston
    • Brett Aston Powertrain
    • Brian Awde - New York, Ontario, Canada
    • Duncan Awde - Mount Albert, Ontario Canada
    • David Baeckelandt - Glenview, Illinois
    • Steve Baeckelandt
    • Michael Baka - Dayton, Pennsylvania
    • Michelle Balch - Tacoma, Washington
    • John Balon - Petaluma, Ca
    • Adrian Baltgalvis - Newport News, Va
    • John Banks - Hernando, Mississippi
    • Ed Banas
    • Ron Barbee - Pasco, Wa >
      • More Ron Barbee pictures
    • Tim Barrie - Peterborough, Ontario
    • James Bastian - Bridgeport, Texas
    • Bob Bauer - House Springs, Mo
    • Sydney Baumgartner - Hallsville, MO
    • Kevin Baxter's V8 Coupe
    • Paul Beck - Pearl, Ill.
    • Alan Bell - North Bend, Oregon
    • William Beltz - La Mesa, California
    • John Bennett - San Dimas, CA
    • Bill Bertram's V6 Coupe
    • John Bianchi - Pasadena, Ca
    • John & Cory Black - Moon Twnshp, Pa >
      • John & Cory Black - Transaxle
      • John & Cory Black - Hot Rod Magazine
    • John Blagg - Pendleton, Oregon
    • Mark Blakey
    • Larry Boardman - Weatogue, Conn
    • Roger Boisjolie's Crown Corsa
    • Ben Bonaminio - Lorain, OH
    • John Borkowski
    • Trey Bosson - Wellsville, NY
    • James Bottoms - Kamloops, B. C., Canada
    • Al Boyes - Lancaster, South Carolina
    • Russ Brandenburg >
      • Russ's new Project - Starting October, 2014
      • Russ Brandenburg's Kelmark V-8 Coupe
      • Russ Branderburg's V8 Convertible
    • Jim Briggs- Visalia, California
    • David Brown - Lexington Park, Md
    • Toby Brown, Santee, Ca
    • Bob Brownell - New Project >
      • Bob Brownell - Laramie, Wy
      • Bob Brownell-Street Thunder
    • Michael Bruno
    • Tim Brush - Paulden, Arizona
    • Sam Buck - Prescott, Arizona >
      • Sam Buck's Kelmark V8 Coupe
      • Sam Buck's Cadillac Transaxle V8 Coupe
    • Ron Butera - Rochester, N.Y.
    • Dave Button - Groton, NY
    • Mike Callahan - Anderson, South Carolina
    • Mike Candianides - Boring, Oregon
    • Billy Cannon - Goodwater, Al
    • Douglas Carlson - Eau Claire, Wi
    • Tom Carlson - Marshalltown, Iowa
    • Keith Chafin
    • Jay Champigny - Edmonton, Alberta Canada
    • Owsley Cheek
    • Jon Christianson - Negaunee, Michigan
    • Dan Chudy - Yucaipa, CA
    • Mike Clark - Stockbridge, GA
    • Ralph Cline - Tulsa, Oklahoma
    • Tom Cody
    • Bob Coffin
    • Harlan Colburn - Littleton, Colorado
    • Scott Cooper - Bainbridge, N.Y.
    • Eric Cooprider - Terre Haute, Indiana
    • Jeffrey Corton - Chesapeake, Virginia
    • Marty Cosgro - Fletcher, N.C.
    • Ryan Counterman's Kelmark Coupe >
      • Counterman Corsa Project
      • Counterman GTP Monza
    • Karl Cozad - Rear Engine V8
    • Bill Crawford - Oak Ridge, North Carolina
    • John Cummings - El Paso, Illinois
    • Ron Currier - Pace, Florida
    • Phil Dally - Paso Robles, Ca
    • Scott Dames - Phoenix, Arizona
    • Michael Darby - Clark, Missouri
    • Chris Davis - Olive Branch, Ms
    • James Davis - LaPorte, Indiana
    • John Dayton - Parkville, Maryland
    • David Dean - Mesa, Arizona
    • Dave Decker - Kamloops, B.C. Canada
    • Richie Deiter - Rockford, Ill
    • Albert De la Pena - Camarillo, Ca
    • Robert Depalo - Hot Springs, Arkansas
    • Guy Desjardins - Quebec, Canada
    • Craig Doner - Ekron, Kentucky
    • Jay Dover
    • Tyler Dover
    • Mark Dragonette - Novato, Ca
    • Barry Dubin - Granada Hills, California
    • Raymond Duerig - Switzerland
    • Spence Duffey - Hamilton, Ohio
    • Lowell Duncan - Monument, Colorado
    • James Dunham - Canyon County, Ca
    • Dan Dunn - Granbury, Texas
    • Jim Dunn - Hopewell Junction, New York
    • Scott Earehart - Indianapolis, Indiana
    • John Eck - Tehachapi, California
    • Karl Edens - North Richmond, NSW Australia
    • Dick Edwards - Alberta Canada
    • John Edwards - Beaverton, Oregon
    • Lee Egleston - Marshalltown, Iowa
    • Steve Elliott - Buena Park, California
    • Cary Eisenlohr - Signal Hill. Ca
    • Seth Emerson - San Jose, California
    • Archibald Evans >
      • Archibald Evans
      • Archibald Evans's Mid Engine V8
    • George Evans - Franktown, Co >
      • Car and TV Shows
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    • David Fahnestock - Chambersburg , Pa
    • Kevin Fahy - Huntsville, Alabama
    • James Faircloth, Maryville, Tennessee
    • Dennis Feragen - Anacortes, Washington
    • Earl Fetterman - Dauphin, Pa
    • Mike Firestine - Grayling, Michigan
    • Gerald Fisk - Auburn, Washington
    • Kathy Flippin - Laguna Beach, California
    • Mike Floyd - Frisco, Texas
    • Barbara & Pete Frailey - Gaithersburg, MD
    • Don Frank - Kaukauna, Wisconsin
    • Ken Freeman - Tulsa, Oklahoma
    • Charlie Friend - Alamogordo, New Mexico >
      • Charlie Friend' s 200+ mph Corvair
    • Chet Galek - Randolph, NJ
    • Gary Ganssle - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
    • Randy Garren - Victorville, California
    • Dennis Gauerke - Hortonville, Wisconsin
    • Dean Gemberling - Columbus, Georgia >
      • Dean Gemberling - '65 Monza
      • Dean Gemberling - V8 Rampside
    • Dan Getchel - Stanton, California
    • Lonnie Gilbertson - Milwaukie, Oregon >
      • Lonnie Gilbertson - Wheel Clearance Measuring Device
      • Lonnie's Sheet Metal
    • John Given - Oak Hill, West Virginia
    • Troy Glenn - Scottsdale, Arizona
    • Bob Glick - New Hartford, Iowa
    • Al Goldstone's V8 Coupe
    • Jaime Gonzalez - Alta Loma, California
    • John Goodman - New Market, Alabama
    • Steve Goodman - Golden, Colorado
    • Charlie Gould - Muskegon, Michigan
    • John Gould -Freelton, Ontario
    • JB Granger - Cumming, Georgia >
      • J.B. Granger's Awards and Articles
    • Dennis Gray - Mukilteo, WA
    • Daniel Grimestad - Moorhead , Minnesota
    • Russ Grossen - Brooklyn, Wi
    • Roland Gruber - Germany
    • Windell Gustama - West Palm Beach, Florida
    • Jeff Guzzetta - Dana Point, Ca
    • Bob Haas - Longview, Washington
    • Alex Haber - Silva Conversion
    • Bill Hadley
    • Patrick Hagerman
    • Greg Hall - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada
    • Michael Halsey - Chillicothe, Oh
    • Kyle Halsey - Chillicothe, Ohio
    • Ken Hand
    • Chuck Hammond - Santa Rosa, California
    • Frank Haney - New MIddletown, OH
    • Mike Hannon - De Pere, WI
    • Karl Hardy - Deltona , Florida
    • Doug Hargrove - Modesto, CA >
      • Doug Hargrove's Heating & A/C
      • Doug's Mission To Proper Cooling
    • Rick Harland - Trenton, On Canada
    • Trevor Harris - Sunland, California
    • David Harrower - Phelan, California
    • James Hart - Redondo Beach, Ca
    • Dale Hartley - La Verne, California
    • John Hawley - St Joseph, Michigan
    • John Hawley - St Joseph, Mi
    • Richard Haworth - Midlothian, Virginia
    • James Hayes - Dallas, Texas >
      • Jim Hayes's Monza Project
    • Scott Heller - Burlington , Wa
    • Robert Hendrickson - Medford, NY
    • Brandon Henny - Nobleboro, Maine
    • Jason Hewitt - Easton, Pa
    • David Hill - Bristol, Connecticut
    • Ronald Hill - Queensland, Australia
    • Roger Hillestad - Lodi, Wisconsin
    • Joe Hilton - Damariscotta, Maine
    • Randall Hinkley
    • Gary Hoffman - Lakewood, Colorado
    • Scott Holland - Charlotte, North Carolina
    • Ken Holm - Whitefield, Maine
    • Warren Holt - Parma Heights, Oh
    • Charles Hoppe - Palm Beach Gardens, Fl
    • Butch Horn - Versailles, KY
    • Gurdon Hornor - Rancho Sante Fe., Ca
    • Cody Hurley
    • Curt Hurley
    • Mark Irons - Waterford, Michigan
    • Ron Jensen - Littleton, Colorado
    • Daniel Johnson
    • Michael Johnson - Carnation, Washington
    • Barney Jones - Pebble Beach, California
    • Billie Jones - Fresno, California
    • George Jones - Orlando, Florida
    • Ron Jones - Kalamazoo, Michigan
    • Walter Kalbach - Bristol, Ct
    • Joe Kalk - Camano, Washington
    • Terry Kalp - Valley Center, Kansas
    • Fred Kappus - Eau Claire, Wisconsin
    • Nelson Keimig - Crosby, Texas
    • Ken Klassen - Calgary, Alberta B.C.
    • Adam Knoll - Fairmont, WV
    • Don Kosanka - Chapin, South Carolina
    • Alan Koharcheck - Ivins, Utah
    • Steven Kowalski - Fallon, Nevada
    • Dale Kuykendall - Washington, Illinois
    • John Lacey - Elma, Wa
    • Pat Lance - Fort Thomas, Kentucky
    • John Lanning - Crestwood, KY >
      • Lanning's Build Book
      • Lanning's Build Book - 2
    • James Lees - Ravenna, Ohio
    • Thomas Le May - Arroyo Grande, Ca
    • Charles Leunig - Williamson, New York
    • Mike Levine's V8 Coupe >
      • Mike Levine - Transaxle
      • Mike Levine - Mechanics
      • Mike Levine - Interior
    • Dan Lok - Battle Creek, Michigan
    • Wade Longman - Bountiful, Utah
    • Jack Lynch - Rockhall, Maryland
    • Jay Maechtlen - El Monte, California
    • Mike MaGee - Dayton, Ohio
    • Joseph Magoto - Houston, Texas
    • Paul Major - Ottawa, Ontario Canada
    • Theodore Malo - Ringwood, Ill
    • Lenwood Mangham - Carmel, Indiana
    • Mike Mann - Salt Lake City, UT
    • John Mar - Sammamish, Washington
    • Gordon Marks
    • Mike Martin - Oklahoma City, Ok
    • Roland Martin
    • Steve Martin
    • Tony Martin - Independence, Mo
    • Don Marty - Verona, Wisconsin
    • Rob Massari - Napa, California
    • Aaron Maughan - Bountiful, Utah
    • Tony Maxson - New Buffalo, Michigan
    • Jay McCorkle - Bullhead City, Arizona
    • Mike McCrae - Lemon Grove, Ca
    • James McCloskey - Centerburg, Ohio
    • Paul and Jonathan McCreery -
    • Freeman McCullough - Bellflower, California
    • Scott McVicker - Danville, IN
    • Jim Mehrl - Burbank, Ohio
    • Kent Meyers - Sherburn, MN
    • Matthew Meyers - Moro, Illinois
    • Mike Meyers - Wood River, Illinois
    • Pat Miceli - St Charles, Missouri
    • Stephen Mikkelsen - Tacoma, Washington
    • David Miller - Westlake, Ohio
    • Jon Miller - Elma, New York
    • J.J. Miller
    • Richard Miller - West Covina, Ca
    • Bruce Mills - Pomona, California
    • Don Millspaugh - Hobe Sound, Fl
    • Greg Mitchell - Yucaipa, CA
    • Randy Mitchell - Marseilles, Illinois
    • Jeff Moore - Rogersville, Arkansas >
      • Jeff Moore, Rogersville, Mo
    • Jim Moore
    • Charles Morgan
    • Thomas K Morgan - Louisville, Kentucky
    • Robert Morris - Kimbolton, Oh
    • Dan Morrison - Louisville, Kentucky
    • Charles Moss - Sharon, PA
    • Mark Moyer - Wildwood, Missouri
    • Nelson Munn - Pensacola, Florida
    • Matt Nall - Charleston, Or
    • Perry Nantz - Mooresville, North Carolina
    • Brian Nekvasil - Thornton, Colorado
    • Donald Nickel - Kenai, Alaska
    • Craig Nicol - Post Falls,, Ida
    • Clark Nielsen - Greenleaf, Idaho
    • Rick Norris
    • Drew Oetjen - Omaha, Nebraska
    • Phillip OGuinn - Livonia, Mi
    • Mike Olynnger - Orchard Lake, Michigan
    • Manuel Ortiz - National City, Ca
    • Mark Ortiz - Kannapolis, North Carolina >
      • Mark's Chassis Newsletter
    • Michael Ostrom - Manton, Michigan
    • Kerry Owen - Farmington, Missouri
    • John Palladini - Baden, Pennsylvania
    • Chance Parker - Scottsdale, Arizona
    • Frank Parker - Saline, Mi >
      • Building the Engine Compartment
      • The Rear Quarter Panels
      • Brakes, Suspension and Steering
    • Robert Parker - Abilene, Texas
    • Lynn Patterson - Bartlesville, Oklahoma
    • Ted Paulus - Scappoose, Oregon
    • Lloyd Perdue
    • Tom Perry - San Diego, California
    • Derek Peters - Newberg, Oregon
    • Bill Peterson - Henderson, Nevada
    • Louis Pinard - Bossier City, Louisiana
    • Luke Pitts - Urbandale, Iowa
    • Brian Poff
    • Don Poole - Pt St Lucie, Fl
    • Dave Poortinga - Loveland, Colorado
    • Sam Porteous - Westerville, Ohio
    • Peter Preus - Ridgefield, Ct.
    • Bernie Pringle
    • Kevin Rafferty - Raytown, Missouri
    • Andria Raine - Westminster, Maryland
    • Jeff Rand - Wildomar, CA
    • Bob Ransom - Kenosee Lake Sask, Canada
    • Randy Redmond - Sierra Vista, AZ
    • Gordon Rexin - British Columbia, Canada
    • John Reynolds - Agua Dulce, Ca
    • Lee Richards - San Leandro, California
    • Johathan Richter - Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Dooee Riley - Garden Grove, California
    • Todd Robin
    • Carl Robertson - Springville, Tennessee
    • Larry Roe - Emeryville, California
    • Bill Rogers - Portland, Or
    • Howard Rogers - Westfield, NJ
    • Gregory Rohde - Green Bay, Wisconsin
    • Ron Rose - Littleton, Colorado
    • David Roth - Minden, Nevada
    • John Rowe - Calimesa , California
    • John Rowland Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
    • Benjamin Ruff - Lincoln, Nebraska
    • Chuck Rust - Los Angeles, California V8 Coupe
    • Joe Salmestrelli - Trenton, New Jersey
    • Scott Sanders - Freedom , Wisconsin
    • Aaron & Bob Sandrock - Versailles, Ky
    • Fred Santillo - Sharon Springs, NY
    • Marty Scarr - Eugene, Oregon
    • Ethan Schoonover - Oregon City, Or
    • Carl Schulz - Bayfield, CO
    • Scott Seavens '65 Land Speed Car
    • Tom Sendelbeck - Waterloo, Illinois
    • Dan Sewell
    • Shaneman V8 Coupe
    • Dale Shanholtzer - Quincy, Illinois
    • James Shaw - Fullerton, California
    • Mason Shields - Louisville, KY
    • Curtis Shimp
    • David Short - Louisville, Kentucky
    • Paul Siano - Lecanto, Fla
    • David Simmons
    • Skip Smith - Grantville, Pennsylvania
    • Fred Smoyer - Solar Coupe
    • Dennis Snelling - Gloucester, Virginia
    • Bart Snyder - Stony Point, New York
    • Martin Snyder - Anacortes, Washington
    • Robert Snyder - Hilton, New York
    • Bob Sottos - 1st V8 Vair Builder Known To Man!
    • Mark Spies - San Diego, California
    • Linda & Cody Steiner - Miles City, Montana
    • John Steinberger, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
    • Ed Steinhoff
    • Paul Strohl - Prescott, Arizona
    • James Stukenborg - Beavercreek, Oh
    • Boyd Summers - San Rafael, California
    • Sean Sutorius - Elyria, Ohio
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    • Michael Sweeney - Carlsbad, New Mexico
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    • Erin Tatlock
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    • Charles Troutman Sr - Phoenix, Arizona
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      • Phil West - '01 Build Photos
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    • Conventions & Other Events >
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      • Oct, 21 Fanbelt Toss
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​Fred Santillo - Sharon Springs, New York

C.Alfred Santillo
R.D. 1, Box 217
Sharon Springs
New York 13459 26 March, 1996
To Whom It May Concern:
During a four year period, 1964 to 1967, a group of three persons completed the research, mechanical and design engineering phases, manufacture, foundry castings, the precision machining of specific components, and the actual building and testing of prototype models of what eventually became known as the Chevrolet "Corveight" (The Corveight is a substantially altered Chevrolet Corvair which utilizes an all-aluminum eight cylinder powerplant of extremely light weight, and displacing 215 cubic inches in its standard production form; the engine itself came in two versions: a "Fireball V8" from Buick Motor Division of General Motors, and the more common "Cutlass V8" from the Oldsmobile Motor Division of General Motors. Cylinder heads for the Buick engine were canted approximately 30 degrees to the left and right, whereas the Oldsmobile cylinder heads were straight and level.
Both produced approximately the same fiscal horsepower in stock form.)
The Chevrolet Research and Development Facility in Flint, Michigan, was quite interested at that time in possibly producing the "Corveight" as a "production line model" directly from Chevrolet. Several changes in corporate thinking, however, and subsequently the loud and untimely denouncement of the Corvair as an "Unsafe Vehicle at Any Speed" by Mr. Ralph Nader, left all of us holding a pile of broken dreams, and terrifyingly bleak financial prophecies.
For all intents and purposes, the Chevrolet Corveight was killed in midstride, and all that remained were our six beautiful prototypes.....automotive monuments to the do do bird. I kept my car, a 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible model, with a four-speed standard transmission, and the rarest model of these six extant prototypes.
Not many years ago, I sold this mobile mutant (and a large piece of my life) to a Mr. Brian Sydow. Brian still owns this amazing, forward-thinking vehicle, and cares for the Corsa in a manner that makes me feel reassured of my decision to have sold the car to him originally.
​
Most Sincerely
C. Alfred Santillo

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EARLY CORVAIR CONVERSIONS
PART 2
1960-1972
 
August 18, 2022
 
Today I had the good fortune to receive a call from Fred Santillo. Fred’s of Italian heritage and his family came to New York from an area north of Rome. I became aware of Fred when another Corvair enthusiast named Brian Sydow sent out an email indicating that he had some Corvair parts associated with converting a Corvair to V-8 power. Naturally, I was interested, so I contacted him. To my surprise Brian knew a lot about Corvairs and once owned a late model Corvair with a rear-mounted 215 V-8 that was built by Fred Santillo and Art Silva of Staten Island, NY. What a pleasant surprise. Brian was able to supply a current phone number for Fred Santillo, so I called. The call went to voicemail so I concluded that it was an active number. A week later I got a call and an apology from Fred for the late reply. What a gracious person to talk to. Like me Fred is 78 and also born in the same month on September 4, 1943. Our Italian heritage also helped to secure a bond.
 
Fred became acquainted with Art Silva because of their interest in Corvairs. Both were excited with GM’s rear-engine air-cooled car, but they were looking for something more to propel this popular and well handling little Chevy at a faster pace. Art and Fred had conversations with GM engineers about installing a V-8 engine in the rear engine compartment. Fred indicated that they talked with a number of people who seemed genuinely interested in helping them with their installation. Art drew up a design for adapting a Buick/Olds aluminum 215 V-8 to the Corvair transaxle and a friend of Art who had a foundry was able to cast a few adapters for attaching the V-8. Fred indicated that he helped Art build six Corvair Conversions, but this 1966 Corsa was the only convertible. Art and Fred went different directions after this and Art went on to offer a kit for installing a 215 V-8 in the rear of a Corvair. He reportedly sold 150 and possibly as many as 300 kits. This information can’t be verified because neither Fred nor anyone else that I’ve talked with has been able to provide a contact with the Silva family. Art Silva passed away in 2012 from information available about him.
 
The Corvair Conversion that Fred and Art built has an interesting story to go with it. When completed in 1969, the Aztec Bronze 66 Corsa convertible was then sold to a Brian Sydow by Fred according to Brian. The car sat covered up for 40 years before it was restored and repainted in Duansberg, NY to a silver gray color with black racing stripes on the hood. From there the convertible was sold to Karl Cozad in Kansas City, MO around 2011. Karl’s improvements to the Corvair Conversion are detailed on the V-8 Registry website on Karl’s Personal Page. Karl passed away in 2017 two years after he drove his conversion to the CORSA convention in Knoxville, TN. After his death the car sat in storage for a while before Karl’s wife Janet elected to sell the car when other family members decided against owning the car. At that point, enter Terry Kalp onto the scene. Terry, a long time Corvair enthusiast and the owner of several Corvair Conversions decided to buy it. One day while inspecting the car Terry found a letter in the glove box addressed to ‘To Whom It May Concern’. This letter was written by Fred Santillo after the conversion was completed to explain the build of this Corvair to future owners and was placed in the glove box not to be noticed until 48 years later when Terry was rummaging through the car. Terry called Fred to talk about the car’s history. Then today while talking with Fred, he mentioned the conversation with Terry. Fred is so pleased that his Corvair Conversion is still on the road and it brought back fond memories of when he and Art completed the engine swap all those years ago. Terry Kalp can now say that he’s the owner of perhaps the most original Silva Conversion that was personally constructed by Art and his friend Fred. Not only that, it was the only convertible built. What a buy.
 
John Lanning, President
The V-8 Registry
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