What’s better than a BLT?

[Doug Wendel]

A SMY of course!   Stoked to find my first SMY in the ”semi-wild” after nearly 30 years of seeking.  I’ve never had the opportunity to buy one of these before.  It’s 100% complete, unmolested, and very original.  Paint isn’t grea (‘cause GE paint was absolute shite in this era.) Straight as an arrow all around.  Such a little cutie she is 🥰 .  And I’m all 😃😃😁

[Doug Wendel]

Actually not quite true. FanFair like 96 or 97 Rick Padron I’m pretty sure pulls up with a Ryder Truck absolutely packed with B&Bs in fruit boxes and starts throwing them like pancakes (some actual Pancakes) to a eager hoard of collectors for about $100 each.  I paused for 10 seconds, and it was gone.   So now, I’ve finally remedied that massive error. 

Edited October 19, 2023 by Doug Wendel

[Paul Carmody]

Good buy!Nice fan you have!So what’s next?You going to clean and leave as is or fully restore?

[Doug Wendel]

Thanks.  I dunno.  I should probably just clean off the dust and replace the wiring.  Assuming everything turns out good on the inside.   I do wish GE had used better paint.  If it was a low-mileage Westy from this era the finish would still be 98% intact and shiny gorgeous.

[Geoff Dunaway]

  Great find Doug. I remember all too well that fascinating sell day in 1997. That was mostly I think,  from the collection of Hilly Griffin, from just south of Memphis TN where the lion's share of those fans originally came. Padron can correct me if I'm wrong. I nabbed a 16" Fidelity and 12" Century S4 sidegear oscillator out of the back of that truck & still curate them today. Some fans did go for slightly more than $100 as I recall but the selection variety that day reminds me of the sale that the Hoehn boys had after Dr. Bill passed away. I was like a kid in the candy store on both occasions.