A Eulogy – Everything seemed to be running smoothly. The engine was purring, everything felt balanced and you were making great time....then it happened. As you came around a sweeping left turn, you settled yourself before a sharp right, you turned into the corner expecting to power out of it but nothing happened. Your front tyres lost grip and you continued straight into the trees, ultimately, your final resting place. Many years have past since that fateful day back in April 2007. Lets take some time to look back and celebrate your life as “The Beast”. ____________________________________________________________ You started life back in 1974 as an understated white six cylinder Ford XB Coupe. During your first few years you were passed from owner to owner and you started to believe that you had no purpose in this life. Then not long after your ninth birthday a young fifteen-year-old boy, named Eric, spent his savings and bought you for $1100. Time had not been kind over these past nine years. You seemed much older than your age permitted but Eric saw something in you. With the help of Eric’s closest friends you slowly transformed from a withered and beaten two-door falcon to something that gave you your pride back. Most nights and weekends you were worked-on buy these four mates in a small garage owned by Eric’s father. As young Eric grew up he so did his urge to race you. You underwent many repairs and modifications during this period and although still the same car on the outside you boasted a new heart, a shiny new V8 engine with more power than you have ever felt before. A sense of purpose was now filling your life and you felt that you had found your calling. As the months and years passed you continued to grow stronger and faster when, in 1996 you were entered into a tarmac rally in Tasmania. This would be your first real taste of competition. To get you as close to “race ready” as possible Eric spent all he could afford on you and on your first attempt you came third in your class. From that point on you and Eric had a bond that will never be broken. Although you were still a big part of Eric’s life you had to take a back seat (pun not intended) to his career. You used this time to mature and prepare for the next chapter in your story. With what felt like an eternity more time past you by and you started to feel old. With your body beginning to creek and grown from the amount of racing you had done years before Eric once again came to your rescue. With what started as a simple respray soon turned into an entire overhaul. This would be the biggest rebuild you had ever undergone. You got, all new, handmade panels, a brand new multi-point roll cage and an entire “race spec” 400ci V8 engine. For the first time you felt properly built for the purpose of racing. After the three thousand man-hours, were spent on you, Eric and his good friend and co-driver, Tony Ramunno, had an expectation to better your third place position from your first race many years ago buy entering you into Targa Tasmania once more. This ultimately would be your final race. ___________________________________________________________ As you lay on that corner, in Tasmania, Eric felt your spirit leave and only the broken and motionless shell remained. After growing up with and having you in his life for so long it was truly a heartbreaking and emotional moment that Eric will never forget. Few could understand or even sympathise with what was going through Eric’s mind at that stage. The thought of bringing you back to life was so far removed from his mind that he started to resent the reason for buying you in the first place. However…. Like a phoenix from the ashes you have been reborn. Today we celebrate and remember what a wonderful car you were and we now look forward to what you will become in the future. You were and always will be - A Beautiful Beast.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 20:00:00 +0000
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