38 Comments

Time traveling through the coldwar era! When I was in high school, the polish lady down the street had a gold Eldo convertible with a white top, was a gorgeous car.

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Fiction at ACF never disappoints.

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this was so much better than i thought a tale about an old cadillac could be and it clearly shows that youve done your homework. couldnt help but read hans lines in hans laudas voice though and the lime green pantera made me think the buyer was jack.

anyway im entirely on board for the next episode in which they presumably find a nazi time travel device

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Well Fiske’s trail goes cold after Sep. 71 but I did hear he had a little trouble in Havana a decade before. Hope to bring you that tale too.

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A story about cars that's really about people, or a story about people that is really about a car? Wonderful detail in the description of the gold Caddy.

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It was fun to write, the characters took on a life of their own.

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Excellent! Vivid details make the story even more enjoyable.

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Thank you, don’t forget to check out the radio playlist link at the end of the story.

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Elton John on the piano!

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I do so enjoy these little jaunts. Perhaps we could get some “What If’s” again?

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"You don't have to introduce yourself when you drive up in a Cadillac," said the mid60s car dealer, from Kentucky, to my mother. And he had the perfect car dealer name -- Vic Lynn.

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Feb 9Edited

Frank had a Miura as well as an extensive model train collection so I could imagine a Pantera spending time in his possession but his pool was piano shaped so maybe my immediate assumption on the buyer was incorrect. Nearby though is Elvis and Priscilla's honeymoon shack which does have one five sided.

If a reader is stricken with desire after all the fantastic product placement in this wonderful tale and has the resources for more than just a new Hamilton Ventura he can currently purchase that pentagon shaped pool and the house that comes with it.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1350-Ladera-Cir-Palm-Springs-CA-92262/18023249_zpid

Well done, April. It's always a joy when you contribute.

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Good eye, though I was not casting any aspersions on Elvis or Frank. The king did have a large slot car track in the early sixties. The real pity is that I don’t get any kick back for all the product placement.😉

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I took the rock star bidder to be inspired by Rod Stewart.

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That's what I thought, too.

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Great story, well done!

I’ve spent some time at the Royal York and your description transports me back to some heroic evenings with friends and colleagues in that wonderful old hotel. Also love the T-Rex and Zep references.

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Thank you, check out the radio playlist at end of story.

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The structure of filling in the backstory works well for me. I can easily see more chapters in Garland's story, and want more.

It's difficult to please both informed and uninformed readers on any esoteric topic, whether cars, watches, fashion, etc., and I think you've done it well.

Wonderful details across the board. I think you could add even more and luxuriate in some of these settings even more. Then again, maybe you've struck exactly the right balance, leaving me wanting more.

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April outstanding work and writting, maybe you can track down your protagonists to the round new car showroom under majestic souther oaks on the East Side of Memphis selling Cadillacs in the 70’s to one King of Rock and Roll. 😉😉

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April, had to check my files and if you go with the idea. Elvis purchased all his Cadillacs at Madison Cadillac on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. This dealership does not exist anymore. The Cadillac dealer with the round showroom surrounded by large oak trees is Davis Cadillac on Popular Avenue on the east side and opened in 1975. Just wanted to correct the record..😉😉😉

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Think I have a photo of my 59 Series 62 convertible at Madison (maybe not the original location) from the early nineties.

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"The buildings and other diorama pieces will be shipped as architectural models destined to the German themed Christmas village outside of Detroit.”

Ah yes, Bronner's Christmas Nightmare I call that place.

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There is also Frakenmuth between Flint and Saginaw.

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They’re one and the same. Bronner’s is in Frankenmuth.

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If you ever write about Frankenmuth, be sure to work in the family style chicken dinners at Zehnder's restaurant.

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Or the Bavarian Inn. One and the same recipe.

There’s a quick service chicken takeout place I’ve heard about which ISN’T affiliated with either of those places, right off I-75, named Freeway Fritz’s! 😂😂

[Edit: I’d like to offer two corrections:

1. Freeway Fritz WAS a Bavarian Inn affiliation.

2. They were started in 1989, and closed in late October of 2008, just as the bank crisis was hitting its stride.]

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Brava!

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Excellent.

As always.

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Well done Sir ! .

-Nate

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