Owner:
Joe and Nancy Carastro
Santa Barbara, CA
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The original owner of #85691 was a TWA pilot (J.B. LeClaire) in Missouri.
After twenty years of driving (including two trips to California) and 98,000
miles he decided to restore it. During the disassembly process he managed
to set the car and his house on fire. Now disgusted with himself, the car
sat for over 15 years until the husk was purchased by a Mr. Jack Weiss of
Independence, MO. Mr. Weiss envisioned a Manhattan Trophy level restoration
and with that in mind the car was taken to Precision Restorations in
Independence, MO for a ground up restoration.
After two and a half years and with the bodywork about 80% done, Mr. Weiss
passed away. His widow then moved the car to her garage where it sat 3 years
until early 2000 when a friend of mine called me and informed me I must buy it or he
would be getting divorced (he already had a 65 coupe in pieces and another
project would push his wife over the limit). After a short negotiation, the
car was returned to the shop where a short 18 months later it was painted and
ready for a new top, carpet and interior. This was accomplished in San Diego
by Tom Poicus and then I brought the car to Santa Barbara for further
sorting (engine rebuild by Schneider Autohaus).
To date, I have shown the car in three Concours and drove it up to
Monterey for the SpeedsterFest in 2004. It is currently resting
quietly inmy garage in Santa Barbara.
