Well. The day has come. When the Sun rises tomorrow I will no longer be a ZHP owner and she will be on her way to her new home. It has been an absolute pleasure being a part of this forum. The last three plus years have been filled with some wonderful memories. I remember the days when I first found out about these cars...posting threads asking about what they felt like to drive, what to look for maintenance wise, etc. I read, I took notes, but I still didn't know squat. But it didn't matter. The generosity, the kindness, the welcoming nature of the people on here made it all possible.
I remember heading to Shawn's for the first - of what would be many trips - to test drive his auto Orient ZHP. We got along from minute 1 and have stayed friends since then. It was only a month after picking up Scarlett that he and I ventured up to the 2014 Reunion and had a blast.
That weekend was when I realized. This forum is more than just the cars. I mean, sure, the cars are the building blocks. I'll certainly never forget Bruce messaging me and offering to help with the brakes that she needed, didn't know me from Adam. As a young aspiring "car guy," I didn't know what to say! As the years went by I learned a sincere thank you...pretty much covers it. But, I think it is also about returning the favor in some small way. Maybe not to those who helped you specifically, but using what they taught you to help others down the line.
Things I picked up along the way enabled me to do that. From answering basic questions about ZHPs, to helping with maintenance I learned how to do, it all started to click for me and in turn, I like to think I've helped it click for others as well.
Of course, you made it this far and am probably wondering WHY after all these great times I'd sell the car. Well...it boils down to not driving her and not having the resources to "just have" this car at this point. Which is not to say I couldn't afford it...just...it doesn't really fit anymore.
I have taken time to reflect and realize that I have spent truckloads of money and many weekends on this CAR while other aspects of my life fell off. Keeping her in this pristine condition has been a labor of love...and...it's time to move on.
Big thanks to Dane, Shawn, Bruce, Vas, BP, Will, Brett, Guy, Keith, Gary, John R, Charlie, Rob P, Justin, Rob D, San, Peter, and many, many more for all the maintenance days, laughs, fun threads, road rally planning, hosting, advice, phone calls...everything.
I'm tearing up writing this...so I'll end it with some pictures...
Hope to stay in touch.
Love,
-Daniel