Mark Hanegraaf
G’day
from ‘The Land Down Under’. I honestly do not know when my love of the 77 am
began. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted one. Not just any one, but
the 1977 S/E. I had the toy car, slot car, posters, pictures… You name it, I
had it. Funnily enough, it was only later in life I saw the Smokey And The
Bandit movies, so I don’t think this really had much to do with it.
Considering it came out before I was even born, I think it is fair to say
nothing at all!
For my 18th birthday I was given a ride in Ken de Vries 77 am. I was
officially SOLD. That day I started saving and researching. Ken informed me
the chances of finding a true 77 S/E were slim to none, and if I did, the
owner probably would not even sell. But, I was never one for giving up. I
went to Uni, started my own business, bought and sold cars, but never
stopped looking for my am. I went to every car show, purchased every local
car magazine and talked to whomever would listen. I found 78-81 S/E’s and 77
non S/E’s, but the feel was never quite right. I even managed to get married
to an American girl!
As luck had it, early this year (‘05) a S/E popped up in Colorado, the
home town of my Brother in law. I nagged him to go and check it out for me
and verify it’s authenticity. It proved to be the real deal so we purchased
it. I thought that that would be the hard part over. Unfortunately, it went
pear shape from there. Parts were stolen, damage done and for a period the
car was MIA. Just when I gave up on it ever arriving, I got the call to pick
it up from the docks.
My first drive was amazing, for the age of this car, it really does
handle and drive well. I own 2 other performance cars, a Nissan Silvia
(Japanese drift car) and Ford XR8 (Australian muscle car). These are great
rides in their own right, but do not compare for overall presence and fun
with the am. This says something about the engineering of the am, as the
Ford is less than 12mths old.
Now the am has pride of place in my garage. Whilst it runs well and is a
big head turner, it is far from finished. I intend to fully restore it to
the last bolt, making it look and drive as it did the day it came off the
production line. As other members probably know, getting the car is an
amazing rush, but when that clears, the excitement of restoration begins,
and I don’t think it ever feels 100% finished.
As for the car, it is the 403, T-Tops, automatic transmission. Everything
that it came off the floor with is still there and working (with the
exception of the A/C). I even have the Talkin’ Smokey 8 track! It came with
all the documents and paperwork, so the hard work was all done in collecting
the authentic parts etc by the last owner. As you probably guessed, the am
is not driven much, it’s sole purpose in life now is to make me smile every
morning before work, and occasionally, to widen that smile with a cruise
along the highway. I still get a tingle in the spine every time she comes to
life, and will remain to do so until I die, then, who knows, maybe someone
else will appreciate her as much as me.
The pics attached show the am, ford,
“Conan” (Bulldog/guard dog to be)
and myself.
Thanks for reading my bio, I hope you too get to share the passion.
Mark
