The mission, should I choose to accept it, was to write about Homecoming from a new participant and builders point of view. This challenge was posed to me by Kelly and Clay fairly late on Saturday evening as the festivities of the Homecoming weekend had dwindled to a circle of lawn chairs and laughter in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn. Just like on the TV show that started this well known quote, the challenge is never refused and the Mission always becomes possible.

So as I spent the next day in airports and in planes, I contemplated just how to tell this tale. Initially it seemed like a good idea to me to wrap this story around the most expensive airline ticket that I ever purchased. You see, my dad and I arrived to Gadsden with a fairly good idea of what we wanted to do with the Spence car. Hovering above the meticulous detail of Tammy Capps' FIA engine bay and Mike Fields' stunning hardtop, our plans began to change. At first, the changes were small. (I really think those Raydot mirrors would work better mounted high on the windscreen) As we gained momentum, the project list grew by leaps and bounds. (Man, those FIA wheels are sweet...All you need to do is narrow the rear end, add the coil overs, and buy the adapters? We can do that!) By Saturday night Tony had us looking through Cobra archive books, just to make sure there were no potential spending opportunities that we overlooked.

As the dollar signs ticked in my head and I gathered ideas to tell this story, I couldn't help but be troubled by one small, but significant detail... Even with the new additions to our project, I got much more from the weekend than I ever imagined possible.

Walking up to the shop on Friday morning, I didn't even get to the door before someone recognized me and introduced themselves as "Excel Guru. You know, from the forum." And so started the weekend with people that I didn't really know, but actually did. It was fun to meet the faces behind the unusual call signs and avatar images. But there was something different going on here. A person I had not met until hours before was suddenly concerned that both my Dad and I got some Cobra 'seat time' before the weekend was over. There was genuine interest in a car that was more than 2000 miles away, and we received encouragement and all the sage advice we could remember from someone who just had their car photographed for a magazine article.

Somehow, in just two days, we arrived to Gadsden as curators of the Spence car, but left as members of a family. As I explained the details of the weekend to my wife, I felt at a loss for words. I simply told her that we need to go back next year and that we were counting down the days. It was in this excitement that the cost of the project seemed downright petty. With all that I took away from the weekend, the balance sheet seemed tipped well in my favor and I know that I gained from the weekend more than I can repay.

As a builder, the weekend was inspiring. Looking at all the beautiful work excited me to finish the car for the next event. The attention to detail raised the bar to a significantly high level, one which we hope to meet.

As a first time attendee, I felt fortunate to have found such a fantastic group. I feel that my circle of friends has just been extended and the days until the next Homecoming are too numerous.

My dad and I look forward to the unveiling of the Spence car next year. More than that, I can hardly wait to unfold my camp chair in the parking lot of the hotel and hear how you all have been doing.



Unique 9122 - 289 FIA Cobra - The Legendary "Spence" Car