May 23, 2009 - Absaroka
Porsche Club Tour
Destination: Dr. Hugh Batty’s Auto Barn, Sheridan, Wyoming
The day started off as a beautiful June day in May and stayed
that way all weekend. Lucy and I arrived at the Flying ‘J’
Truck Stop about 9:20 am. Zane and Heather Kohlman soon joined
us. A little later Graham Becket and Susan Peacock arrived. We
visited until close to 10:00 when Dan Cole stopped by to say
‘hi’ and that he could not make
the tour. Sorry, Dan. I asked Graham if he would lead as my speedometer
is not accurate. Waiver was signed and we were off.
A little after Ranchester, Wyoming I took the lead. I thought
I had a good idea where we were going! After pulling off the
Interstate and driving a few miles and not seeing what I thought
would be Dr. Batty’s, we pulled into not one but three places
for directions. This only delayed us about 15 minutes and arrived
at the auto barn about 12:05. Pretty good for guess work and
not having exact directions!
As we drove up I am sure everyone had the same thought ‘this
is some car collection here in Sheridan, Wyoming.’ After
parking we started checking out the cars. Dr. Batty was not there
at the moment as he had taken his nephew for a ride in the Sunbeam
Tiger; this, according to Gary a long time friend. After a short
time you could hear the Tiger come into the yard, ’25 acres,’
it was our host. He immediately greeted us and started talking
about his collection. I wrote down a few: Rolls Royce Corniche,
MGA, TR3, two MGB’s, two Jaguar roadsters, Mercedes Benz,
427 Ac Cobra replica, 911 turbo, a Italian make Mini Cooper,
TR 4A, 61 Morgan, two MG midgets (one red and one blue), Austin
Healy bug eye, Austin Healy 3000, Jaguar Coupe E type 4.2, and
a 1955 MGTF. I am not sure I wrote them all down, but as you
go through the slide show on the web site - CLICK HERE - you may spot others.
NOTE: THE LAST 4 SLIDES ARE JON SMALL'S
PORSCHE COLLECTION.
I later gave Dr. Batty two bottle of Australian wine: Shiraz
and Viognier. As this is what I learned from my sister (who lives
in Sheridan) who was able to get us the introduction to see the
collection.
Joining us from Gillette, Wyoming (first time in 31 years)
were Tom and Sara Neyer in their newly acquired 1966 Jaguar sedan,
MK 2, 3.8 liter, right hand drive. Another interesting highlight:
Lewis Pierson from Buffalo, Wyoming, along with Dave Fischer,
drove his 1982 Lamborghini up to see the collection and says
he will be up for the
All Euro Car Show.
While looking and talking about the cars we ate our lunches.
We than went into town and toured John Small’s 1970’s
era 911 Porsches. He has close to 50 in various stages of disrepair
and restoration. It was truly a great day.
Fred
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