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In August of this year (2001), Mark came to Memphis with his kids to visit us. We had a terrific time lifting weights, partying, and reminiscing about the "good old days" back in West Allis, Wisconsin. Eventually, he talked about his 73 GTO.

Mark knows I'm big into the internet and asked if I could find some pics of a 73 GTO. It took some time (I was ignorant to its rarity) but we finally found one for sale in California. Mark was thrilled and said those now immortal words: "Man, if I had ten grand, I'd go out there and buy that car right now."

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Mark left, but I had bookmarked that car's web page. I thought about it for a whole day before I decided to buy it. I wanted to surprise Mark so I didn't tell anyone. A few weeks later, I was in Wisconsin on business and went with him, my younger brother and my brother-in-law to the Badgers' college football game in Madison. Afterward, we had dinner at mom's to celebrate his 44th birthday. I presented him with the collage I created and his own set of GTO keys. I told him now he could come down and drive MY 1973 GTO without asking! Naturally, everyone was flabbergasted at my latest crazy stunt. Now, all I had to do was go get the car and drive it back across the country.

To the left: The big collage I put together for Mark's 44th birthday.

Warren Oats is "GTO" (he drives a yellow '70 GTO Judge with Keystone mags) while Wilson and Taylor (a.k.a "Mechanic" and "Driver") drive the hopped-up 55 Chevy that Harrison Ford used in American Graffiti. Show me the movie poster