Road Trip 10/08/04

["R L Rapp" <masheen@xxxxxxx>]

I went to Schnecksville, PA last weekend for a visit with Harold Wenner and
to pick up a NOS '67 Rebel fender he sold me.  I had bought an NOS rear
trunk panel from him a few years back which he shipped to me.  I really wish
I could find a company to reproduce all these NOS Rebel body parts I've
amassed!!
No problems using Mapquest to get me to his house.  Time and mileage were
very close (about 6 hrs from here in Newport News, VA).  I don't know if any
other members have had dealings with him, but Harold is a really great guy.
I was supposed to get this fender from him last year in Cecil, but traffic
and minor mechanical problems with my truck put me behind schedule and I
missed him.
When I walked into the lower level of his house, his AMC memorabilia room
was very nice.  He had an autographed pic of a Rebel funnycar pulling a
pretty good wheelstand at a track in Allentown, PA some years ago.
Harold took me into his two car garage where low and behold, there sits a
R/W/B Machine which he had recently bought from a fella by the name of Jim
Carto.  Anybody know him?  His name is new to me.  Anyway, the Machine was
in pretty good shape with around 70K on it.  It has been restored and
although anyone can nitpick it, I believe it was done up very nice.
I was impressed by Harold's garage in that it also had an American in it and
a red '78 Matador 4 door sitting outside.  Every wall in the garage was
lined with boxes of parts.  There was shelving between the two halves of the
garage which also was stocked with parts.  Was that the end of it?  Heck
no!!  He took me out to another garage (about 30' x 20') where upon
entering, you could only squeeze by the hoard of parts in boxes that he had
in there.  He also had another AMC hidden by so many parts that I could only
see the headlight and fender.  Then there was the trip upstairs to the attic
in this garage where he had more stuff.  But wait!  There's more!!  He took
me to two other sheds (about 10' x 16') where he has even more parts.  I
believe he said he hap more stuff elsewhere at a barn also.  He has so many
parts, I don't believe he knows everything he has; it's that overwhelming!
Now I gotta give Harold's wife a whole lotta credit in that she must be a
very understanding woman to allow this kinda thing to happen.  Harold has
dedicated about 20 square feet of space to his mowers and other lawn
equipment.  I'm sure she appreciates that.
Overall, the visit with Mr. Wenner was awesome.  He's a very pleasant fella
to deal with and very fair on his prices.  For those of you who have cars
other than Machine's, I'd certainly recommend contacting Harold about your
part needs.  He was in the parts department with AMC until about '78 and
bought up everything he could get for any dealership he's been able to
locate.  His son also helps with the business.  Harold's email addy is:
Hamcpartsloon@xxxxxxx and his # is 610-799-5419.
As for the return trip home:  It sucked!!  Because of the stop & go traffic
around DC, it took me about 9 1/2 hrs to get back.  Part of that time was
due to a right rear tire failure on my truck.  I figured that I might be
able to repair the puncture, but upon closer examination, found that the
belt had broken in it.  Glad I always check the spare before a road trip!!
I made it home just in time to grab something to eat and watch the debate.

Bob Rapp
NN, VA
70 Machine