Reply With QuoteGave me goose bumps reading... very touching, and im glad you got the car!
This overall story occurred quite some time ago, and it really has taken me this long to post it on here. But I figured that I might as well post it while I've got enough time.
So as some, or none, of you know I own my subaru's, but I also have a very important 2001 Mazda Protege MP3. And this is the story why.
Please do not post garbage in this thread.
I have been on these forums (Mazadas247.com) for quite some time. I have participated in the SE-MI Fun Runs riding shot gun in the blue 474 MP3. When doing this I was riding with my best friend, Erik, who is known as winty87 on the boards.
Erik sold the car to the member on mazdas247 who came to be known as martispeed. Erik sold the car because he couldn't keep up with the payments and insurance at the time, but he loved that car.
Erik then bought a 1998.5 SVT Contour which I helped him to work on the numerous times that it needed help. We would both often bring up how he should have found out a way to keep the Mazda as it was his favorite car which shared many memories. He would often bring up how much he loved that car and that he would buy his back if he could, or would buy another MP3 if he couldn't get his.
On July 13, 2009 Erik was involved in a accident, no irresponsible driving, truly a textbook accident. He was T-boned in Brighton, MI while going to lunch at work. This was one day before his 22nd birthday. When I received the phone call that he had been in an accident my heart dropped as Erik and I had been best friends since we were 4 years old. Over the next weeks I spent every second I could at the U of M hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. I was there all day and spent many nights sleeping in the ICU lobby to stay by my best friend's side.
On July 29, 2009 Erik was taken off of life support as his injuries and infections had become too much for his body to fight on his own. It was the worst day of my life and not a day goes by where I do not miss him. We grew up together and couldn't have been any closer.
As time went on I sold one of my vehicles and began car searching. After weeks of looking and sellers that fell through I saw an MP3 for sale on a local forum and I thought to myself, "Maybe, just maybe I can find Erik's MP3 and buy it." This is where the searching began as once I had that thought I had to, at the very least, see Erik's car again. After hunting around for his car's build number and luckily finding the owner, Anthony (martispeed), I contacted him asking if he still owned the car and that there was a story behind it. Anthony kindly replied to me with a PM and his phone number in which I called immediately. I told Anthony my story and he said that we should meet in person. I was very happy that he suggested this idea. The next day (4-12-2010) I met Anthony in Lansing, MI. I expressed my interest in the car, what it meant to me, and that I wanted to buy it. Anthony told me that he wanted some time to think it over, which I understood and was fine with.
I then sat patiently checking my phone for a message, looking at email, and checking the boards for a PM every second I could. Then it happened, Anthony called me the next day (4-13-2010) and tells me that he will sell me the car. Words cannot explain the feeling that I had when he told me this. Within 3 hours I was at Anthony's house buying the car my best friend once owned. I have a large piece of his life back with me, back home.
I can't even begin to explain how much this means to me. To have this car back after it was sold so long ago. I still fight Erik's death in my mind every day and the only thing to help me through it are to collect and cherish the things and memories Erik and I had over his amazing life. This car is one of the largest pieces that I could have ever thought to get back in my life. This car will be taken car of, fixed/restored, and kept alive for as long as I own it, which will be the rest of my life. It is far more than just a car to me, it is the car that went on so many trips, so many fun runs, and caused so much mischief with my best friend. This car is a piece of history and memory of my best friend.
Anthony,
As I have said before, I cannot explain how much it means to me that you've sold me Erik's car. It shows that there are exceptional people in this world that are understanding. It shows that there are people who still have a heart for others that are in pain. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Alex
Rest In Peace Erik Mitchell Wint
You are loved and missed every day.
These photos were taken by Erik when he owned MP3 #474
I took this photo while riding with Erik on a Mazda Fun Run to Hell when he still owned the car.
Updated Photos once I got the car:
IMG]http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs483.snc3/26452_514967873862_77101496_30535870_2401727_n.jpg[/IMG]
And the latest updates:
The car now has 20% tint all around, excluding windshield. New battery and alternator as they both died on me. And an Alpine HU. The official license plate is on the car as well.
The license plate 'miss you Erik'
And here it is sitting for the winter.
I haven't gotten time to address a lot of the help the car needs. Right now the list is pretty long.
As of now it needs:
Oil pan repaired
Tires
Refinish/powdercoat wheels
Brakes
Clunk fix installed
Rust repaired in numerous areas
New windshield
Suspension
Right now I'm looking at around $5,000 just to get the car back to essentially showroom, and from there it will get much more. I am planning to do anything that Erik and I had ever discussed doing to the car.
Currently with school and terrible summer living situations there was no money made to put into the areas that need it. Its a slow process at the moment, but as soon as I'm out of school, and hopefully with a good job, things will take off very quickly. This car needs to be where it should be.
Gave me goose bumps reading... very touching, and im glad you got the car!
Very touching story Alex! Sorry for the loss of your friend. I lost one of my friends at a young age too but due to a different reason. Thats awesome that you searched down the car and was able to purchase it.
-Missy
♥ 04 Cadillac CTS-V
♥ 04 Chevy Silverado 4X4
Very cool Alex! I hope you find some peace through all of this. You're a good friend to have around, and this proves it.
Originally Posted by Paulie
There's a trick to being whatever you want to be in life.It starts with the simple belief that you are what or who you say you are. It starts, like all faiths, with a belief-a belief predicated more on whimsy than reality. And you've gotta believe for everybody else, too - until you can show them proof. If you're lucky, someone starts believing with you - first theoretically, then in practice. And two people believing are the start of a congregation. You build a congregation of believers and eventually you set out to craft a cathedral. Sometimes it's just a church; sometimes it turns out to be a chapel. Folks who don't build churches will try to tell you how you're doing it wrong, even as your steeple breaks the clouds. Never listen.- From TOUGH SHIT
by Fat Kev Smith
Great write up Alex. Good luck with the build, you've been talking about it for a while now, and with the same enthusiasm.
Nick
Definitely something to be proud of, I admire this story and car due to such!
congrats on tracking it down man! hope all goes to plan man, sorry about you loss though
-96 Accord EX...Stanced and shit
-96 Accord EX...built and shit
-04 Buell XB12R Firebolt -twelve O'clocked :/
Come to think of it, I'm not sure that many people knew about this car, haha.
Needs an ice cream paint job.
1999 Mustang Cobra Coupe(Turbocharged)
1999 Mustang Cobra Vert (Supercharged)
2002 Buick Regal GS (Turbocharged)
2005 Mercedes E55 AMG (Supercharged)
I like boost.
I'm so glad that you picked this car up Alex. It is so nice to have something like this to be able to keep and hold on to for a long time. I hope you keep this thing forever dude. I must say one thing is super weird his accident was on the same day as mine and Kates.
05 Evo RS Fun Car
05 ZX6-R
Good for you Alex!
Thank you for the kind words everyone. There is a lot of work to do still and the finances are going to be the hardest part, but everything will get done. I'm hoping that I may even be able to get some sponsorship help from shops or businesses somehow.
Mike, I remember when you and Kate were in your accident and it was the same day, be it years later, but it hit me on a strong level as you know why now. And I'm glad that the both of you are in good health.
Thanks bud, I am super happy that you got this car and I really can't wait to see this thing out and about. I'm sure you will be able to get some shop sponsors of some sort. I still think this is the coolest thing that you bought this man, your a super good friend and I'm positive your buddy would be super happy that you picked this up.
05 Evo RS Fun Car
05 ZX6-R
Ill help out when I can. I know a bit about the FS motor from the Probe days.
Damn; don't know you or anything but personally it made me realize how quick things happen & how unexpecting it is. Props to what seems like a really good friend
R.I.P. Chimike
06 Sti
Thanks man. I appreciate it. It will get either an MSP turbo swap or a built turbo motor down the road.
This gave me a feel
In all seriousness, this really touched my heart knowing that people still have compassion for others. I hope this build turns out to be everything you (and Erik) would want it to be. Good luck!
awesome man. quite a touching story too. i lost a good friend in a super tragic bike accident and would love to have one of his bikes to keep his spirit alive but sadly his family took them all and sold them. i still have a gas tank of his that will find its way onto a bike one day. Anyway i think its awesome you found the car and are going to keep it. Its really honoring to do that. i give you props man.
black 92 SC400 wit dat woh woh.
I was wondering what car was in your pics on FB.
Were you driving this around in TC last fall?
Mattone love, two wheels
fork yourself
Good job on finding the car. Hope you get it finished and running! Glad to see that Anthony was a stand up guy!
1995 Nissan S14 (SR20DET), 1991 Nissan Z32(VG30DE)In hibernation since 2005, 1972 Datsun S30(3.0L L28 w/ 50Webbers), 2008 BMW 335i (E92), 1994 Jeep Wrangler (Winter beater), 2003 Ford F250 Powerstroke 6.0 (Winter not such a beater), 2008 Ducati 848, 2013 HD Breakout!
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