This is the fourth and final report on the 2017 Talladega Spoiler Family Reunion. The afternoon of the second day was the final leg of the driving tour.
We had a long lunch at a nice little restaurant where the food was great but the service a little slow. As a result we were late for our arrival at
Chalfant Motor Company and its owner/craftsman James (Jim) Hery. He uses his artistic mechanical skills to save and create some of the World’s most beautiful cars. He is truly an artist and master of metal shaping. His shop is full of metal working devices and tools. However, his brain and his hands are the most valuable tools in his shop.
On our visit to see what new cars he might be working on everyone was blown away by his ambition and dedication. I have included a large number of photos of various projects that were underway at the time but I was most intrigued by the 1935 Bugatti T57 Stelvio with a body by Gangloff. Katrina and I have always been in love with the 30s Bugatti, Delahaye, Talbot Lago cars and similar art deco vehicles.
James is not only restoring the 1935 Bugatti T57 cabriolet but he is also building a prototype and five exact replicas of the car that will be for sale! This is all had work just like the coach builders back in the day.
The next time you are installing a quarter panel or patch panel on your Spoiler II or Talladega stop for a minute and think of the skill and patience it would take to hand make that panel. Then think a little harder and consider hand forming the bumpers, frame and suspension components from raw steel! That is the skill it takes to restore, never mind create one of these cars!
This officially concluded our 2018 Talladega Spoiler Reunion but there was still fun to be had. Everyone was on their own to find their way back to their hotels or do a little more antique shopping along the back roads of TN. No one wanted to say good by just yet so we planned one last activity. We all gathered at a fine restaurant in Saturday night to remissness and talk cars and future events. It is surprising how fast two days can go yet how close strangers can become in such a short time.
There will be another Reunion in 2018 but no plans or date have yet been set. However, in 2019 we will not have our regular Reunion because we will be supporting and attending the 50th Reunion at Talladega Speedway for all Aero Cars. This event is put on by Tim Wellborn and is a must not miss activity. Tim and Pam do an excellent job including the track parade before the race at the Fall Talladega NASCAR race. Tim has stated that this will be the last one he does, so don’t miss it.
Following up on that major event; in 2020 Katrina and I will be hosting the annual Winged Warriors (this Club includes the MOPAR “B” body cars as well as the Daytona and Superbird but not the Fords) and Superbird/Daytona Clubs (this club includes all Aero Cars including Daytona, Superbird, Talladega and Spoiler/Spoiler II cars) reunion at our home. This will also include all of the typical Talladega Spoiler Family Reunion folks and fun. With the large variety of cars this could be another really large event and because we are just outside of Nashville expect some different fun activities. We are going to have a great time with our cars over the next three years. Make sure you save some vacation time to attend one or better yet, all of these events!
