ihpartschad
IHPA General Manager
Some of you folks from the old Sierra Scouts days will immediately know this Scout. The story is, I bought this Scout II not too long after I moved to the Auburn area, somewhere around 1993. It was my first Scout II over the years it morphed into what became it's name. Big red.
Fast forward to the year 2000, after having a kid, changing jobs and staring at a move to texas I sold big red on ebay. I still remember the feeling of watching it pull away on a trailer. As the years went by I always referred to big red and "the one that got away". Never thinking that I would see it again.
Well never say never, the craigslist gods were smiling on me last week when michael spotted a "big red 810" for sale in Nevada. I turned in my seat as Jeff was saying "hey that looks like big red". I nearly screamed "it is big red!!!". I was on the phone within seconds, but was unable to reach the current owner. Days past, I continued to call and email and text but no response. I was sure that he had sold it and just not removed his add. Friday evening came and as I sat dejected, my phone rang. Low and behold the gentleman had returned my call. A meeting time was set up and I planned to make the 600 mile round trip the following day. As I drew near my excitement grew until I turned one last corner and there sat "the one that got away". To say I jumped out of my truck would not be an understatement. I could not get the money in the gentleman's hand fast enough. After a few minutes checking big red out, I discovered that really nothing had changed since I saw it pull away that fateful day 13 years ago. I could not believe my eyes, sure it had aged some but over all it was like a time capsule.
After loading it up and finishing the 13 hour round trip, I am happy to report big red is once again in it's rightful place, part of my fleet. This time for good!
Now to find the time to do something about getting it back on the road.
The way it was
The way it is
Touching history
Fast forward to the year 2000, after having a kid, changing jobs and staring at a move to texas I sold big red on ebay. I still remember the feeling of watching it pull away on a trailer. As the years went by I always referred to big red and "the one that got away". Never thinking that I would see it again.
Well never say never, the craigslist gods were smiling on me last week when michael spotted a "big red 810" for sale in Nevada. I turned in my seat as Jeff was saying "hey that looks like big red". I nearly screamed "it is big red!!!". I was on the phone within seconds, but was unable to reach the current owner. Days past, I continued to call and email and text but no response. I was sure that he had sold it and just not removed his add. Friday evening came and as I sat dejected, my phone rang. Low and behold the gentleman had returned my call. A meeting time was set up and I planned to make the 600 mile round trip the following day. As I drew near my excitement grew until I turned one last corner and there sat "the one that got away". To say I jumped out of my truck would not be an understatement. I could not get the money in the gentleman's hand fast enough. After a few minutes checking big red out, I discovered that really nothing had changed since I saw it pull away that fateful day 13 years ago. I could not believe my eyes, sure it had aged some but over all it was like a time capsule.
After loading it up and finishing the 13 hour round trip, I am happy to report big red is once again in it's rightful place, part of my fleet. This time for good!
Now to find the time to do something about getting it back on the road.
The way it was
The way it is
Touching history
