My daughter was a very definitive curly blond thing that was simply delightful at every point of her five-month existence, and for some unknown reason, in spite of my shattered condition, colostomy bag, and scant physical presence, she found me to be the apple of her eye. Where I went, at dead ahead slow speed, through the apartment, she followed or preceded along like she’d been waiting all five months of her life for my kind of direction. She crawled, but, for the most part, so did I.
I couldn’t fix the GTO. The engine was shot. It only ran at all because it had eight huge cylinders, three large carburetors, and a four-speed transmission that was all but indestructible. It limped along when it ran at all. Pat’s car was needed by her for her job, which was all that was keeping us in the apartment because my pay records from Vietnam had not caught up with me.
Going through the yellow pages I found a garage, attached to a Sears and Roebuck store not too far from us. The shop promised to rebuild an entire engine, no matter what the car, for six hundred dollars. We didn’t have six hundred dollars but I called them anyway. There was no hope and the person I talked to basically said just that.
How would we get the car there anyway, as it didn’t seem to have even one more mile in its living inventory? How would we get back? We could depend upon Pat when she was done with work, but it would be better not to. My wife could drive the GTO, but her driving, what with the thirty-pound clutch and the jerking, balking, and stalling 389 cubic inch engine, was a bit of a hesitantly rolling nightmare. I was certain I could drive but neither my wife nor anybody else around in their right mind was going to let me try. But the real problem was the money. We didn’t have six hundred dollars. We didn’t have twenty dollars. We barely had any change.
Dear Uncle Jim,
Humbly submitted for your approval some edit notes:
If she found out I was driving then there would( )much more hell to pay than that. Should have the word (be) here.
Oh, I see, the thing wasn’t fast enough, and now it’s going to be faster?” my wife asked, even if she really was more making a statement than asking a question. This sentence would flow better if you flip question and statement: even if she really wasn’t asking a question as much as making a statement.
I awoke in the late afternoon, still(,) on the couch(. )I’d been barely able to climb up on with help. The second comma is not needed and this should all be one sentence: I awoke in the late afternoon, still on the couch I’d been barely able to climb up on with help.
“He looks like he might be just right for putting( )Frankenstein back together again.” I thought she was talking about the original monster when I first read this instead of it being a nickname for the car. Maybe putting (ole) in front of Frankenstein would get the reader to the nickname directly.
Respectfully submitted,
Dennis
It is quite wonderful to have such editorial help. Thanks so much Dennis.
Semper fi,
Jim
Your friend and uncle…
Great story. I go to your page everyday, and saw Chapter 14 today. I don’t know how I missed seeing this story and the ones afterwards. Maybe I was too busy reading Susan and Needemyer’s rants. I will finish the newer chapters before bed for sure.
Mickey Thompson – for real ??!!
Lt., I do truly believe you have a guardian angel on your shoulder after all you’ve been through and now this bonus falls onto your lap !!
Awesome chapter, keep ’em coming !!
SEMPER Fi
Sometimes there is a balance in how things happen in this teeter totter universe, I guess.
Yes, those guys were a gift from God at the time, but there was no place for me to make a place for myself among
them. I was bent and twisted by other forces too powerful to resist or oppose…
Semper fi,
Jim
A great story, James!!
Relating your story of the 66 GTO reminded me of my own experience with my 66 GTO. I knew I was being drafted into the Army and would soon be leaving my wife and child. She did not know how to drive so I had to teach her to drive that car. That clutch took a lot of strength to to depress. I’m sure you remember that. She had a lot of trouble with it and I wasn’t sure she would pass the drivers test. I came home from work one day and she was so proud to show me she had passed the test. It was also a relief to me that she would be able to get take care of my family while I was gone. I had a lot of fun with that car and drove it pretty hard so it, like yours, wasn’t in the greatest shape but it served her well until I was able to return home. Thanks for sharing your stories.
I was not alone, nor my wife either. She got pretty good with the goat until Mickey finished his work. From 360 horses stock to about six hundred changed
everything. She had to work to try to keep the rear wheels from spinning at all times. You could go sixty and then hit the gas harder and the rear would break
loose!
Semper fi, and thanks for your adding to the story here…
Jim
Another amazing chapter! Looking forward to continuing the journey you have started me on.
Thanks Allen, Chapter Thirteen is up and I am writing away this very minute on Fourteen…
Semper fi,
Jim
I am addicted to your writing. I missed Vietnam by the flip of a coin. Keep the chapters going. Somehow, I missed the previous chapter. My 5 novels are on the website dale@daleforsythe.com. Pfc retired.
Thanks Dale, appreciate the compliment. The previous chapters are all on my writer’s website https://jamesstrauss.com
Thanks,
Semper fi,
Jim
James, Something I’ve missed is was the GTO in rough running condition when you purchased it or did it get that way in the meantime? Wasn’t sure from the description if you bought it cheap to fix up or?
Thank you for the chapter. I am really appreciating your journey.
The GTO ran great the first few months I had it, but I was in the Basic School and every weekend was a bizarre wild ride
to D.C. or Fredericksburg and even in those places every drag raced on the streets. I beat the car to hell and it paid me
back by failing on my wife while I was gone…not to mention a four speed 360 horses with the hills of San Francisco to deal with…
Semper fi,
Jim
SOLD A 64 CHEVY IMPALA SS WHEN I WENT IN ,PAYMENTS WERE MORE THAN SAM PAID!!! BOUGHT A 69 DAYTONA CHARGER WHEN I GOT BACK AND SURVIVED THAT TOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing how few of those cars survived. I know where there’s a 60 Pontiac Bonneville at the bottom of.old water filled gravel pit!
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for all of your sharing. I bought a 240Z my senior year at UVA on the way to TBS, class 3-72. Later served as an infantry officer in 1/7 and 3/1 at Pendleton and BLT 3/4 out of Okinawa. Have you considered Ollie North’s new publishing company?
All the best and Semper Fi, Percy
Did not know Ollie had a publishing company. We did not get along well in the Agency…me being a Jim Webb guy, and all.
Thanks for the encouragement and the data you gave us all about you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Well done, excellent storytelling and the feeling really comes through. Mickey Thompson was the real deal. Sad ending for him and his former business partner.
Mickey was a force of nature and he brooked no criticism or
nonsense, the way he saw it. Very physical but fast to make decisions
that were usually right.
Semper fi,
Jim
I bought a 69 Dodge Charger barely used when I got back with money I had saved while in Vietnam. 4000 mi and a beauty. Funny how the cars we have owned have left an indellible mark in our memories. Maybe a guy thing.
Went off to college in a totally damaged 60 Bonneville with a 389 and the three deuces. I swear it was the fastest car I ever had, especially off the line. Those things had enormous torque.
I got by on gas because the other guys would put together their change to go out on weekend nights. They painted the name of the car on both sides. It was called The Grappler!
Interesting times.
Oh, when I left the college we had a big party and ran the car off into an old water filled gravel pit. Probably still down there!
Semper fi,
Jim
Been with you thru your telling since teh first book.. So glad to read this chapter and I stopped dead at teh mention of Mickey Thompson . ( been drag racing since the 60s ) motorcycles, but still….:) You are amazing in your ability to focus on whatever is needed to get to tomorrow.
God Bless you for teh example you are for many of us..
Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute…getting through back then was a lot
like the cycle of drug-ingestion I had to have to live through that kind of pain.
Semper fi, and thanks for being so loyal and caring.
Jim
You’re ability to tell your story in a way that makes me feel like a part of it is an incredible gift. Mickey Thompson, WTF? Simply amazing, I can never get enough.
Thank you, Joe
And for your book order.
Really appreciate the support. Mickey was a true curmudgeon.
Semper fi,
Jim
This chapter is a prime example of what “Marine ethos” stands for.
Semper Fi, Sir
Thanks Paul. That’s a great compliment…
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks Paul, that’s a great compliment!
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you for keeping it going. Strange the people you meet by “accident”. I’m glad you are feeling more upbeat.
What a refreshing change of pace from the drama, tension and fear of the A-Shau, plus Mickey Thompson!
I’ll add this, the people at Simon & Shuster et al must be idiots. This whole thing is Stephen King good!
From your lips to God’s ears, as they say, Buck. Thanks for that great compliment but the major publishers are only publishing
people who are famous already. Notice that? Thanks though, means a lot to me…
Semper fi,
Jim
I agree with the other comments, things are looking up for the moment.
The GTO probably just needs a new tuneup and minor adjustments and it will run strong. They were damn good cars and fast. Who could have ever guessed Mickey Thompson would cross paths with a shot up Marine back from Vietnam. I don’t care if it’s true or not it’s a great add to the story. Can’t wait for the next, and the 45.
Thanks for the support and the care JT. Oh, Mickey was real alright, and very human, as you shall observe as we move along.
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh if you only had that GOAT now! Just a thought here. This seems a bit awkward in sentence structure:
“some of the new paper adhesive tape that didn’t stick so badly it hurt to take it off,” maybe something like “it didn’t hurt as badly when being removed.”
Yes, the Mickey Thompson Eliminator, signed by him on the dash, would probably be worth a hundred grand!!! Of course, the GT350
I didn’t choose at the same price ($2200) would probably be worth a whole lot more in pristine condition.
Semper fi,
Jim
What a chapter ! I actually laughed and smiled . Now that you are in Oakland and meeting legendary people , do you meet another legend ? Many thanks for this one !
There are looming legends ahead, not only at the drag strip but then on from there. It’s a weird knack I have never surrendered.
Semper fi,
Jim
Things are looking up. Like your wife I’m surprised and pissed they sent you home with no meds! Not as much pain as you and sen t home on convo leave with enough pills for 90 days. I was supposed to go back for medical review and out processing. Six weeks later discharge comes in the mail with a note to go to the VA before meds ran out. Glad you had help at home and the fantastic car. Even better your daughter! Mickey Thompson! Doubt he would have done anything but laugh at my Corvair Spyder convertable running on 5 cyl! Finally a chapter that is looking up!
I have had, even back then, a knack of some sort in meeting very famous people, and that will continue as the story moves on.
I don’t know why. Not that I was ever to make a fortune or get a great job because of knowing them, however. I just passed on through
their lives and they through mine. The Corvair Spyder, turbo, is in my book called The Duke. My friend in Hawaii, while I was done with
high school and waiting to come back to the U.S. for college had one. We loved the damned thing to death…damn near.
Semper fi,
Jim
James if I could get a happy face emoji on this page I would. Your only a couple of years older than me.I also had a GTO but mine was a ‘69. The Mickey Thompson that’s like The Mickey Mantle!
Mickey Mantle was probably a nicer more refined guy. Mickey Thompson was like out of a bad Mickey Spillane novel. Rough
and tough as hell but with a great heart…but also moving so fast through life…
Semper fi,
Jim
James,
Thanks for another great chapter. Semper Fi!
You got it Mike, more on the way…
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow you met the KING of speed !!!! Dam man you are one lucky guy. I blew a few GOATs off top end with my hopped up 56 T-BIRD highly worked with real TALL rear gears, top out over 130 mph, CLOCKED by N.J. state trooper, LOL On a 10 mile run on GARDEN STATE PARKWAY. Back when your GOAT was several years old. Keep up the story JAMES
Yes, I understand. The 66 Mickey rebuilt was totally fashioned to do one thing. Run the quarter mile in less than 14 seconds.
Period. It did so but topped out through gearing and all at 106 mph. That was it. It was nearly undriveable on the street when
he gave it, reluctantly, back to me.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, The journey you’ve been taking us on, reminding us of our own journies, is like whitewater rafting – Class II – VI. Glad for the towels to wipe down & get back in the raft.
Regards, Doug
The times were and remain the times. Turbulence has been such a giant part of my continued existence and I am not at all sure why.
Maybe when I laid there and asked God not to let me live a ‘normal’ life if I survived. He leaned down and agreed. More to come
as the turbulence continues…
Semper fi,
Jim
What a great chapter, Jim! You get your exercise, get to drive a car, help out poor old Micky a bit – fantastic doings, for sure!
King of hot rods fixing you poor old car! When you fall into it, you come up smelling like roses.
You made me hungry, reading about that pork roast, filling up on your first real meal. Sounds as though things are getting better, little by little.
I have never ever forgotten the pork roast, roasted with skin on, which I ate too! Never had one like it, but the memory is a funny place
sometimes. Yes, Mickey was something and what a gift at a vital time, even though he never saw it that way that I could tell.
Semper fi,
Jim
WOW, Mickey Thompson!! You have begun a string of amazing good luck. I really liked this one showing that you are driving(pun intended) to get better and back in the swing of things even though you have more surgeries on the horizon!!
My wife only now discovers that I broke my word and drove that Catalina, but I never did race the GTO, that part of
my promise was held…
Semper fi,
Jim
Mickey Thompson…… Needle went off the platter loudly in my head as I read that. (I’m genX and a long, long way from the salt but he was a guy I read about by flashlight under my blankets, after bedtime.) Just WOW!
Somehow I missed you getting your 45.
I did not forget the .45, but weighed the risk of the jailbird creep showing up with the well being my wife,
Pat and the baby were enjoying with my return. The .45 was there and plays a part soon, but not how you might expect.
Thanks for being so observant. Mickey Thompson was another chunk of serendipity in my life that I could only reflect on later as being
pretty bizarre.
Semper fi,
Jim
Mickey Thompson! WOW! You have good taste in cars for sure. My dad cosigned w me after I got orders for Marine Barracks, DC and I got a 68 Goat. Loved that car and wish I had been blessed with enough foresight to have kept it.
Very captivating and interesting chapter and it made me remember the noise and smells of rolling in and out from under cars thinking you were going to have the fastest car in town. MICKEY THOMPSON!! Now that would have been a first class rebuild.
I worked as a Correctional Officer for several years and shuddered when I read your wife walked into the room. I’ve met some decent inmates who probably wouldn’t have been there if they hadn’t had to use a Public Pretender but have also met a great number who permeated evil. Could have been a bad situation. It sure had my attention.
The 66 GTO I bought was a decision between two cars. That and a Mustang Shelby GT350! So, great taste? Not financially!
The inmates proved to be okay, much more so than I thought, but I’d been prepped for such behavior by my Marines in the A
Shau. My toughest time was going through detox with them and being afraid that I was way to much like prey to survive among
them. Without Peterman I might not have…plus they were blown away by the arrogant elegant beauty of my wife.
Semper fi,
Jim
Amazing to happen upon Mickey Thompson. Very lucky. Frat chapter. Thanks, Allen
It was, indeed, a rather mixed bag, as time went on. Next chapter….
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you ,James.Another amazing chapter in an amazing story.Im anxiously awaiting the next installment.
Thanks Max, these chapters are coming a little quicker than older ones as I finally start to come out from under
there terribly dark cloud…
Semper fi,
Jim
The positive outlook here is really an upturn .compared to the worrisome previous parts .really like the way this is starting to look …had a light blue 66 GTO down at Ft. Benning …liked it .. want you to keep getting better ! Hope the “GOAT ” wins …!
Mickey Thompson’s cars didn’t lose many races…even though this one was mine, that’s not how he thought about it.
Semper fi,
Jim
James,
This chapter put a BIG smile on my face.
Serendipity…
Thank you for sharing another chapter.
Can’t get enough of ’em.
Thanks Walter, for the usual support and compliment.
Semper fi
Jim
Finally, something to give us all hope! Thank God for Mickey Thompson and your courageous fight to rejoin the WORLD!
James, Your Guardian Angels are working overtime. My guess is Frankenstein will receive a complete makeover before the race. Mickey Thompson definitely knew Pontiac engines. I can imagine several positive outcomes going forward; but will have to await future installments.
Love hearing about the connection with your daughter.
Oh the joys of being separated from one’s records – NOT! A limbo where you exist on some level for the military and on other levels – like pay – you do not.
Some really minor editing suggestions follow:
The M&M gas station and the garage
Maybe drop “the” before “garage”
The M&M gas station and garage
with huge wings flew in permanent stasis over the top of it,
Replace ending comma with a period
with huge wings flew in permanent stasis over the top of it.
Not now,” he said a little later, but not as loudly.
Add quotation mark before “Not”
“Not now,” he said a little later, but not as loudly.
checking out tires that we set in long successive rows
Change “we” to “were”
checking out tires that were set in long successive rows
her keys in out of the ignition and in her hand.
Drop “in”
her keys out of the ignition and in her hand.
“Why am I doing this, me Mikey Thompson, you might wonder?”
Later he is named Mickey – his real name.
“Why am I doing this, me Mickey Thompson, you might wonder?”
I replied, more hope than a reality in my voice.
Maybe place an “a” before “hope”
I replied, more a hope than a reality in my voice.
Recently you said you interacted with interesting people. Mickey is another!
Welcome Home. Blessings & Be Well
As always DanC, you are the best,
Nored and corrected.
Thank you, sir.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow, Mickey Thompson, am I reading fiction? Amazing circumstance you encountered, a famous driver who offers to help you out.
Can’t wait to hear the next great episode.
You are reading fiction simply because my memory is not perfect. Yes, that was the real live Mickey Thompson. The NHRA records from Half Moon Bay at the time have the GTO owned and registered to Mickey (which it was not!) and
Danny Ongais (later to become famous on the Formula One reading circuit in Europe, driving to the E-Stock win at 106 MPH and 13 seconds. It was fast but not fast like some of the cars today.
Mickey was rough, tough, irreverent, a total terrible flirt and generous to the bone. He wanted to be a Marine. I think that was the connection, and my condition.
Semper fi,
Jim
Some humor I almost laughed if I didn’t feel so sorry for you!
I had a 66 Chevelle I paid off in Korea as an E-4 then E-5. Took it to Ft Bragg when I got back.
.
Thanks for the input, Bob.
I wonder how many of us “wish we had kept”
I bought a 67GTO when I got back for overseas in 69. Loved that car, but couldn’t afford to run it on an E4 salary. I think it got 4 miles to the gallon. I put more money into gas than the car payment! Still, I wish I kept it. Thanks for bringing back memories.
I got about eight mpg before the Mickey rebuild and then about five after. Gas was 29 cents a gallon but usually could never fill the tank to the top either.
Semper fi,
Jim
Out of the jungle , into the real word, better , but with new challenge’s . You are one tough cookie , Marine !
Life is getting good! Great read in this chapter, very visual , like I was there! Keep up the awesome work LT Semper Fi
Loved it but, really? Junior owned the drag racer “Frankenstein”?
It is what my wife named the GTO.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great part of your story.
Thank you.
Another great chapter LT, can’t wait to see where this is going!
A new world opens !!!
That great flying horse on the Mobil Station is a Pegasus from Greek Mythology. Must have been a good omen for you.
Wow. Some sense of normalcy after all that has happened in the past few months. Well, as normal as you can perceive it anyway. Its not much but your not in the valley or a hospital. Another great chapter. Thank you.