From: MikeLDrew@aol.com
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 05:40:11 -0400 (EDT)
To: DeTomaso@wgate.com
Subject: Kirby's Longchamp GTS...
Sender: owner-detomaso@wgate.com
Reply-To: MikeLDrew@aol.com

Hello all,

Shooting the breeze with Matt Stone, I asked him if he knew anything about
Kirby's new Longchamp, the '78 that was supposedly converted to GTS spec by
the factory.  Here's his reply:


Regarding Kirby's GTS, I'm very familiar with the car he bought. 

I visited Kirk Evans in 1994 or 95, and he was driving the white GTS coupe
at the time.  I was there for several days, and drove the car extensively.

It was indeed Mrs. D's car, and though not originally built as a GTS, was
converted to same by the factory prior to shipment to the US. I seem to
recall it being an earlier car, to which they added the GTS stuff, and a
Bordeaux colored interior with wood and all the latest gauges.   Kirk put
his own modular wheels on it. 

 He showed me photos of it coming out of the container at the dock; it
broke loose in the box, and sustained some very minor damage, but Kirk
had a great body and paint guy on staff, and when I saw the car, it was
absolutely stunning.  Kirk also did the white "AMG" trim treatment,
though the factory painted it white prior to shipping.  Based on seeing
the car, the photos, the container, etc., I have no reason to doubt
that this part of the story is 100% true, and it matches what Kirby
was told, and what I experienced nearly 15 years ago.

As far as Kirby's comments about the wiring, well, yeah, they do
strange things. Mine has a relay or two that makes funny noises when
you press certain things, but everything works.  I had both of my
tanks flushed, sealed, and joined via a 2" aircraft hose and some
fittings.  This avoids the whole tank and switch thing, and its nice
to fill from either side of the car.