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Originally Posted by Kevin
correct me if I'm wrong but when you got the car didn't you have to strip the interior twice to get the majority of the smell of cigar? I remember hearing that story somewhere but that could just be internet foklore. I actually told the story of the "smell cigar smoke and hammer the car" on the podcast. I'm glad you enjoyed the post I was hoping you'd read it and get a kick out of it. If you remember, what did Doug smoke? I'd like to keep a few in the humidor at home as a tribute to him. You are very lucky to have that car, I'd love to have a piece of zr-1 history like that.
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Kevin, I got the same question about the condition of BEAST from Phil Rickard, now President/Owner of Dynotech Engineering, Inc. and
a former engine builder/crew member of the now defunct Pirate Racing Team headed up by Jim Van Dorn. Phil said BEAST always looked pristine on the outside but was filthy inside. Doug smoked all the time and never could drive, smoke and hit the ashtray. He said I should pull the tray out and I could see the ashes under the console. Here's a qoute from an email Phil, a non smoker, sent me in 2004 with his word picture of what traveling with Doug was like, "I'm sure you can imagine, I have a LOT of stories to tell about the road trips to a racing event, traveling with Doug all through Canada going to a race in his Ford van with the windows rolled up the whole way while he toked on that stinky old cigar of his....etc, etc, etc! :-P"'
JVD got the car back from Donna, Doug's widow, for a 3rd rebuild in 2003 because of the problems with a guy that took it to sell for her and disappeared until they found it in his back yard. JVD did much more than just repair the damage the thief had done...he made the BEAST like new again before he finally shipped to me. There were no hints anywhere that it had ever been abused or smoked in.
Back in the early nineties my son was going into Canada to get "some good Cuban cigars". Doug gave me the name of the ones he felt were good and my son did buy some but he no longer smokes them and neither of us were able to remember the names. If you ever get a chance ask JVD; he might remember the brand