Yes, Doug, that was Stephen's unique writing style. He loved to describe in great detail every car that caught his eye, down to its color, options and accessories. He also got a special thrill whenever an owner let him sit in the car or take a picture of him in it or beside it (check the snaps that were posted here a couple of days ago). Although I got to know knew him only when he was in his late 40s and early 50s, still he was like a kid in a candy store whenever he got close to a shiny, collectible Cadillac Eldorado. In almost every communication I had from him would appear his frequent "Guess what..." and "Mind you...", as well as his signature that always ended "With warm personal regards."
Stephen was also a keen cyclist, as I am (or rather "as I was" - I'm getting too old for that sport). I remember how we once compared the qualities of each other's sports cycle, a few years back, with as much enthusiasm as we would discuss classic Cadillac cars.
BTW, I believe the "fellow (who) owns 38 Cadillacs, ranging from FIVE V-16s, a '53 Eldo, a '58 Eldo Brougham and a '59 Eldo Biarritz" is Steve Plunkett, also from London Ontario, Canada. Steve was instrumental in "nourishing" Stephen's hunger to see 50s Eldorados "in the flesh". I had hoped to meet BOTH Stephens earlier this month when Gita and I visited Niagara Falls for my 73rd birthday. Unfortunately, we were unable to keep up with the gruelling schedule we had set ourselves (first a family wedding, followed by visits to the ACD Museum in Auburn, IN, the CLC archives in Dexter, IN, the Gilmore Car Museum in Kalamazoo, MI, the Ford Estate in Detroit, MI, the GM Heritage Center in Warren, MI and a private collection in Sandusky, OH). Had we known that Stephen would be taken, so suddenly, we would have made every effort to meet him in London, as we had hoped to do, three weeks ago.
