Thank you to so many people for a great open house experience

[AJ Roadster NJ]

Thanks of course to Dave and the entire crew of FFR who once again pulled out the stops for a fabulous event, doing their best even with uncooperative weather. I didn't get to talk to many of you individually -- all I said to Dave all day was a quick hello while passing each other in opposite directions -- but I sure had a good time.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff386/AJRoadsterNJ/IMGP4355-1.jpg

I was absolutely staggered by the steady flow of people stopping by my car to talk. A partially-built Roadster with so much of the inner structure out there for everyone to see turned out to be a magnet for many who were at the show to consider their FFR purchase. Dave, I think I sold about seven Roadsters in four hours!!! :cool:

Also, although I certainly don't blame them, many of the owners covered their cars to protect them, which is certainly what I would have done if my interior had been carpeted and everything else was done. I left mine open for all to see. Jesper gave me a garbage bag for the leather driver's seat, I took the passenger side out and left it in the trailer, and from there I was good to go.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff386/AJRoadsterNJ/IMGP4356-1.jpg

I also want to say hello and thank you to everyone that stopped by to look at my car. I must've met 50 to 60 people during the course of the day, even though we all got a bit wet. I had so many really interesting and thoughtful questions, and so many wonderful compliments on my build quality and the choices I've made, I found it to be a very affirming experience. I barely had time to even grab a hot dog!

Maybe the most memorable moment for me was when I fired up to drive back to the trailer parking lot. This was a few minutes after 1:00, all the awards had been handed out and there was a gradual exit happening. When I started driving, I realized that people had stopped and turned to watch from all over the entire parking lot. I was getting waves and salutes and thumbs-up from folks that I had talked to three hours earlier. The parking lot sendoff I got, from so many people, gave me goosebumps at the time and gives them to me again as I think about it. THANK YOU.

Finally, I would be remiss in not sending a special shout-out to my buddy Mark, who loaned me his brand new trailer to make this trip.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff386/AJRoadsterNJ/IMGP4409-1.jpg

This was in my experience the best open house I've been to. Proof, I guess, that a situation is whatever we choose to make of it. I'm EXTREMELY glad that I decided to let my baby get her first bath.

AJ

PS -- Editing to add a link to my photobucket album with about 60 shots from the day. Enjoy!! http://s1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff386/AJRoadsterNJ/

[Dave Smith]

I had NO TIME to say a proper thanks man! We'll be getting a full post up shortly and you are HARDCORE! I swear, we need to gather all the names of the rain-soaked faithful and do something special.. 50 cars in the rain! We wouldve been hit with 250 cars if the sun was out! Thanks again.

[Someday I Suppose]

AJ, I was wondering if you made it up or not with the rain, very cool indeed. The car is coming along and when your ready for the carpet, let me know it's still in my garage :-)

All the best

_Scott

[Sean Nederfield]

AJ,
I thought for sure you would have got the Best Under Construction Award.
Next year you better be up there with it finished.

Sean

[65 Cobra Dude]

AJ,

Good to see you at the Open House. Wish we had more time to catch up. Those 4 hours are always some of the fastest of the year.

Henry

[AJ Roadster NJ]

Thanks Scott and Sean.

Henry, one particular regret for me from the day was that we didn't get a chance to catch up. You happened to pass by right when I had about a dozen people asking questions about the car and I was holding court, as I recall, about how easy it is to rivet the aluminum panels even if you've never riveted before!!

Good seeing you in any case, even if only to make eye contact and say hello. We've both gotten a bit more gray hair I see! :)

AJ