69 A56 '340 Cuda

Hi everyone,

I wanted to add a bit to the story of Pa Karp and BB Dave's 'Cuda adventure.

My dad is Pa Karp (my brothers and I call him Pops) and I am his middle son Carter. BB Dave will probably never fully understand what a wonderful thing he has done for Pops and ultimately my brothers (Curtis and Clay) and I. It may have been 44 years since Pops has seen that car but I can tell you we have almost grown up with it.

We have always known our dad was a gear-head. My brothers and I have heard Pops tell us countless stories of South Dakota back road drag racing. He did make it to an official drag strip now and again also. It would seem Pops has owned dang near every cool car you could imagine but it was this 'Cuda that he always said he would love to have back. I can't tell you how many times I have looked at those old photos of Pops kneeling in front of that 'Cuda with his trophies. I even remember seeing those trophies when I was younger (I'm 38 years old now) and would bet he still has them somewhere in his garage.

Cars, baseball, and fishing is what we did with our dad growing up. Couldn't have asked for better memories with him. Pops helped my older brother Curtis put together a Chevy Nova (booo, hissss). My younger brother Clay has always been enamored with Pop's race cars and is a Mustang aficionado. They have built a pretty sweet Mustang together when Clay was younger.

Clay and I spent a lot of time in Marion, SD and made a few trips to the strip in Sioux Falls, SD with Pops. I'll never forget the time Pops stared down a pissed off biker in Sioux Falls who had just blown out a tire on the 1/8th mile track there. My dad the tough guy! Thunder Valley in Marion is where the now infamous foot race took place between Pops, Clay, and I. Pops will swear to this day he out ran us. I would agree if it were in the rules to take off on 1 during a count of 1, 2, 3 (you know what you did Pops). Marion is also where I learned that you shouldn't put Micky Thompson slicks on a car with a rear-end unable to handle the increased traction. Who knew the rear axle on a car could explode like that?

BB Dave has returned what I think is a family heirloom that has been on a nationwide tour for the last 44 years. My brothers and I are thrilled for Pops that he has gotten it back into his garage. I spoke with him just yesterday and I can tell he is excited to have it home after all these years. BB Dave is a real car lover for being willing to part with the 'Cuda for the right reasons. A hell of a thing to do.

One of the stipulations of selling the car to Pops was that it would remain in our family. BB Dave: I can promise you that this 'Cuda will never leave the confines of the Rees clan. It will be cared for and enjoyed for generations of Rees kids to come. We are already fighting over who gets to keep it (get your life insurance premium paid Pops and sleep with one eye open) someday! Clay will probably win by playing the war hero card (tours in Iraq and Afghanistan). Curtis and I have never been shot at except by each other with Daisy BB guns when we were kids so I guess we lose.

Thanks BB Dave for doing such a great thing. Really amazing. My only worry is that I will come back to SD for a visit and catch my divorced parents in the back seat with each other again. My head hurts just thinking about it...

Best to you all.

Carter Rees