Guys,
Just to let you know, I got car #231. Over the hill from Van Nuys (Valley-oh my god!) to Torrance (South Bay-not even 30 miles away). The dealer was in West LA (about 12 miles away from the factory). I was told by the West Coast Zone Office that I got the first released to the public (not counting the festival cars at Indy). Even before picking up my car, the dealer gave me the fax they got (original, not a photocopy) on the lack of "Turbo" emblems on these cars (they were not availible at the time). They were to be shipped to the dealer at a later date). Now, my car (#231) did not have these emblems on the car. Then, a month later, the dealership called, telling me that they came in. I go down there, and they couldn't find them! I thought they were stolen (turns out that they were misplaced-although I still never got them-a friend of my has them with the original letter). So, the parts dept. orders a new set, and gives me the template, and tells me to go to service. Nope, I put them on myself! So, the first 350 cars having them isn't true.
As to why most don't have them. Most owners who did at the time own the cars, didn't want them on for a couple of reasons. One, the car wasn't delivered from the factory this way (because they weren't availible at the time of build), and two, it made the car a sleeper! But, there is a third reason! Because the cars sat for so long, and the cars sold to second or third owners, the dealerships weren't able to get them out to the current owners. Pontiac had the same problem with the owners kits for the 25th Anniversary Trans Am! as well as the 30th! I hope they get it all together for the Collectors Edition of 2002! Part of the problem was also that some owners didn't register the car! And I'm sure they are still in storage right now!
Another tibit! Not all the cars came with both Indy emblems! It seems that quite a few were disappearing at the factory! My car was missing one! I was told this by my dealership, as well as a Zone rep, and the West Coast Zone Office. Any original owners who had the same thing?
One fun tibit I love, is all the people who write that their car never saw any rain! Ha! I use to drive by the factory everyweekend and I lost count at over 300 of them just sitting in the lot of the factory! In the rain!!!! Now, it could be possible that they didn't see snow, but I find that even hard to believe! I would think that they were driven on trucks or trains thru the snow to go back east!
Just trying to set the record straight.
Enjoy them with or without the emblems,
George
