Excitement has really set in now - my wife and I fly to Arizona tomorrow and I look forward to meeting Cougar enthusiasts at the Saturday evening gathering in Chandler. Thanks for the reminder to pack sunglasses too! I am looking forward to sunshine!
Without pictures, it didn’t happen.
Common, we want pictures.
It happened, but my cell phone takes crappy pictures. I’ll let others share, like this one Gavin took of Kevin Marti giving us a tour of his shop.
We took a side trip to the Museum of Musical Instruments. Went in with low expectations assuming we’d leave in an hour or so. Absolutely misjudged it. It is fantastic, and we only got through half the exhibits in three hours before we had to leave. Definitely recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in music. http://mim.org/
Headphones broadcast in sync with each exhibit’s video. On this exhibit for Martin guitars, they had interviews with the factory workers.
Saw this on the flight home.
I hope to be fortunate enough to go again. (P.S. that Mercedes upgrade was a real cherry.)
I was, unfortunately, unable to make it out to Chandler for the Saturday evening gathering, and am sure sorry I missed it. But, I had a total blast at the auction. So much to see and do. I got there fairly early and stayed late and still don’t really feel like I saw it all, but I sure enjoyed every bit of it.
A big THANK YOU !!! 
to Gavin for all the arrangements and directions for last week’s Arizona get together. Other THANKS to Bill, Scott, Marcus and Kevin Marti for
showing such hospitality to all. I’m glad to see that Cougars and Cougar enthusiasts are alive and well in the Western US, and of course Gene and the guys in Texas.
Everyone was so friendly and interested to hear about me and what’s going on with Cougars in northern Ohio, and there were no attitudes, not one; very refreshing!
My son (burger lover) discovered IN & OUT Burger so we ate there three times, salad this week for me.
I had a great time!
Jim
Mr. Firm Grasp of the Obvious checking in.
So Rob, what is that? Guessing it’s the meteor crater?
Crappy cell phone picture of Meteor Crater from 29,000 feet cruising altitude - somewhere east of Flagstaff AZ. Looked much more impressive in person.
Wait until you are standing at the edge looking down. You’d be pretty well vaporized if you were anywhere north of Phoenix. They say it killed every tree in Arizona.
I just saw the Russo and Steele results and the GTE sold for $38,500. Is the price a statement on its re-body?
Did anyone here buy it?
Jim,
Nice meeting you and your son in AZ! The price you quote was the initial sale price in Vegas, when the GTE was not disclosed as a rebody. I was in the mix for this car in Scottsdale early, but it eventually sold for $56,500.
Now it is listed for sale by the broker who bought it. I was a bit surprised at the offer price, you might be as well.
Surprised is an understatement! What’s with the bumper inserts, none in front and the rear appear to be entirely wrong???
Mark,
It was nice meeting and spending time with you in SUNNY, WARM, STARLIT SKIES Arizona. All of you turned a possible HoHum trip into a great Cougar time, which I don’t get much of in Ohio. I thought you might have bought the R&S Cougar but that price seems questionable. R&S should have listed the present price or I wasn’t looking in the right place.
I’m shaking my head at the new price, but there are plenty of people with money to burn. After the auctions my son now thinks Panteras and 63 - 66 hardtop Continentals are the cars to have!
For all who have been asking, my friend from my Ford club sold his 65 Mustang fastback (crate engine, Tremec) for $35K (wanted 50) sold his 68 Mustang convert restmod with Shelby stuff and Boss 429 engine for $137500 (wanted 200) and bought a 69 Talledega for $35k. 
Jim