I tracked down who I thought was the original owner of the Grand Prix in California a couple weeks back. Nancy, now in her 80's (although you'd never suspect it talking to her on the phone), remembers the car well. I always sort of assumed that because her name was on the California title, that she was the original owner. It turns out that she bought the car used (my original California title shows it was registered by her on December 24, 1964). She and a girlfriend went to a house in Beverly Hills to buy it from no other than, it turned out, "the Banjo King," Eddie Peabody. "They were very private, and suspicious of us girls," she told me. Eddie was considered by many "the greatest Showman of his time." She remembered that the car was extremely fast, and had great air conditioning. Ultimately, her husband (who had upwards of 30 cars) gave the car to their son. She said she would try to look for pictures--she thought there might be some around. As for Eddie:
Eddie Peabody had a Wisconsin connection--he lived in Madison in the 40's and 50's. Here he is shown with his new Lincoln Continental, receiving the title from Lucien Hanks, General Manager of Kayser Motors, 1501 Monroe Street, Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo from Wisconsin Historical Society).Eddie's music can be sampled here:
And here's a great history of Captain Edwin Ellsworth Peabody:
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