Decision time

[Mark R]

It does, that's an almost direct drop-in (basically making it a Lancia
Beta).  Small GM V6s were a popular drop-in, and I even saw a small block
chevy in one (had to remove the rear trunk.

To this day I love anything with a Targa top.

For those who don't know, the chassis was super stiff, and stock rims were
magnesium!  Mine has some serious rust (although nothing structural).
Still, it would take a lot of body work to get back into fighting shape.

As an aside, it was my first car (in high school) which I purchased used,
from a used car lot, with just under 30K miles.  So after owning it several
months (and putting some money into it), the great state of NY decided that
I couldn't have a title.  Mind you, I saw the title at the dealership.  It's
a USA model, originally delivered in Germany to a service member.  So after
changing hands in NY, rolling at auction to a used car dealership and being
sold to me, NY cries "foul."  So I ask the special titling people at DMV
"OK, so how much was the import tax in 1987?"  They tell me that I can't pay
it now.  So they ask me to trace the car and find a receipt for the import
taxes.  I say, "what if there is none... after all, the serviceman might've
brought the car in the back of a military airplane."  Her understanding
response, "there's nothing I can do."  We know it's your car... ownership is
not in dispute, but keep it registered until this is settled, since we can't
issue you the title.

So I find out the original owner's name and he financed the car though a
credit union in the midwest.  I called them, explained the situation and
they were kind enough to go though non-computerized records and fax me
everything.  So I, in turn faxed it all to DMV.  This fax was a good 30+
pages.  After yet more phone calls to DMV and generally being a polite PITA
(good thing I was president of Model UN and Mock Trial in high school)... I
told her "I've traced it to the selling dealer in Germany and I don't speak
German, so I can't ask them to fax me any paperwork they may or may not
have."  So after about 8 months "her supervisor" authorized the title be
sent.  At least I got someone at DMV that really was willing to help and
make the case for me, to get the override.  How would one know if a car
originally wasn't imported by the manufacturer?  You can't.

I could've sued the selling dealer, of course.  But I'd not recover the
modifications and maintenance I'd put into the car... and I adored it.

Mark Rosenkrantz