Fletch catches up with his US travelling companion, Mark Behr from Shannons, to talk about their trips to the US over ten years and the people, cars and places they visited, with over 50,0000 miles travelled and 20 states of America covered.
There are so many highlights; they reflect on just a few:
The GM Futurliner, a General Motors promotional vehicle that operated between 1940 - 1956 and the team of retired panel beaters and automotive technicians who restored the vehicle over seven years.
The Bus Museum in Freemont, California. An impressive garage housing several restored buses, including a 1945 Blue GM Bus, a 1955 Red Transit Bus, and Marks’ favourite, a Greyhound Super Scenic Cruiser. They recall enthusiast and long-time friend, the late Wes Myrick, who had that unforgettable saying of “Happiness is a full tank of gas”.
A stop at Donnie’s House (GM Futureliner contact) in Michigan to see his 1955 Buick. It was in the process of being fully restored and was only a chassis at the time. Both Fletch and Mark got to drive it.
Driving with Sgt Mick McCarthy from the Michigan State Police back in 2017. He put them through their paces at the purpose-built precision driving academy, with a 1975 Plymouth Grand Fury. Bringing back memories of those great American police car chases in movies like Vanishing Point, Duel and Smokey and the Bandit.
While trips back to America are on hold, these are great memories of past adventures.
