NOSTALGIA---IS IT LOVE OR STUPIDITY?

[Jerry Pressley]

In the mid 70's I found a derelict 66 Super sitting in Fall River, MA.  Flat tires, tired paint bad interior but good engine and prop.  I bought it and ferried back to Strawberry Plains, TN.  At that time I had lots more energy than now so it didn't take too long to bring it up to date. Interior, new paint, Rajay, New top of the line avionics. Called radios then, Collins Microline.  Hard to imagine all the kids spent many hours in the back seat.  Although I really liked it, other things got in the way and I sold her.  Years later I was in a small town in Louisiana and she was sitting unloved again. Flat tires and all.  I bought it and went through the whole process again. This time somewhat slower.  Later a I met a gentleman who spent lots of time going to the mountains of Mexico and because of the turbocharger he convinced me he could not live without my little jewel.  Lots of money helped too. Sooo for many years I have bemoaned and missed her.   Now I am much older and much slower.  Periodically I go to the faa website and pull up the present owner which for many years has been the man I sold to.  I sent him inquiries over the years but nothing in return. a couple weeks ago I went to that same old website and lo and behold it had changed hands.  I contacted the present owner who turned out to be an extremely nice FBO who said "sure I will sell it but you better come look first".  I had seen her derelict a couple times before but nothing I couldn't ferry.  This time she is beyond that point so I plan to pull it apart and use a trailer.  So is it an old love affair or just plain stupidity?  JerryP

[Skates97]

Just now, acpartswhse said:

 So is it an old love affair or just plain stupidity?

 

Personally I think it's a great story. If you have the time and finances that's great to bring her back to life. The only way the story gets better is if you have a kid or grandkid that you can pass the plane on to at some point. That would make for some really great story telling when people ask them about their plane and they get one of those far off looks and begin to talk about how their dad/grandpa/uncle (fill in the blank) saved her not once or twice, but three times.

[Simon]

I vote you rescue her for the last time and don't let go again.

Strange she's ended up with such neglectful owners (other than you).

I've never seen a black Mooney before, Very cool.

[Jerry Pressley]

I will post fotos of her apart and on the trailer.  afraid if I ferry her all that loose junk in the tanks will float right down through that little screen at the inboard lower part of the tanks.  

[KSMooniac]

It can be both! Do it.

Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

[Jerry Pressley]

[Mcstealth]

What's love got to do with it? 

 

 

[Mooneymite]

Run, Forest. Run!

Don't do it. 

[bonal]

I vote absolute stupidity and hope you can do and bring her back once again. best of luck do lots of documentation these type of things are going to become more rare and need to be recorded for history.

[Raptor05121]

Where is it based at? Do you have the funds and help (younger generation) to pull it off?

That plane has been posted before several times. Its a shame.

[Jerry Pressley]

1 hour ago, Mcstealth said:

9 minutes ago, Raptor05121 said:

Where is it based at? Do you have the funds and help (younger generation) to pull it off?

That plane has been posted before several times. Its a shame.

is now in Peoria Il at Tillmons

 

 

[Jerry Pressley]

 

Just now, acpartswhse said:

thankfully I have any part it could need.  labor is another item I lack

 

[gsxrpilot]

For God's sake, don't ever let it go again. We didn't know Mooneys had so many lives, but she's surely running out of them.

[Jerry Pressley]

haha  true

[Jerry Pressley]

would you believe some of those old radios still light up.  bet they are not very clear though

[RLCarter]

Love or Stupidity? It's both, some won't understand but those of us that do will cheer you on. 

[steingar]

Third time the charm?

[gsxrpilot]

Actually when you do sell it again... you always do... just be sure and sell it to someone who will not just keep it running, but will take it to the next level. They are all here on MooneySpace. Just look for E's or F's with glass panels. Either sell it to those guys or you just have to keep it.

[peevee]

I wonder if the guy you sold it to passed and it sat while the estate was settled.

[EricJ]

I've known guys that had girlfriends like that.  

[Schinderhannes]

1 hour ago, EricJ said:

I've known guys that had girlfriends like that.  

I am afraid this thread is taking a turn for the worst, but what I remember from my days in the Phoenix area is that Scottsdale seems to be the Epicenter for overhauls / installation of aftermarket parts on older models…

[tony]

Jerry,

 

Some things in life don't make sense.  I applaud you for bringing YOUR girl back to the glory she once had!!!  GO FOR IT!!!

 

[Jerry Pressley]

2 hours ago, peevee said:

I wonder if the guy you sold it to passed and it sat while the estate was settled.

I thought same but Tillmon says he is still around

[peevee]

Just now, acpartswhse said:

I thought same but Tillmon says he is still around

Weird. Well, like you say you've got the parts on hand. In fact you better stock up in case you need something you don't have. Especially 231 parts in case I need, uh, I mean in case you need something.

[Jerry Pressley]

peeve  do you think this windshield will clean up?  maybe that big crack will be a little problem