This is a sad day. I will miss Mick Isbell.
I don't remember exactly where I met Mick but I believe it was at a San Diego swap meet. He was an easy man to talk to and his enthusiasm for Model A's was great.
At the Madison MARC national meet we roomed together. It was there that he spoke in detail about his early '28 Sport Coupe. Though it was a basket case he had amassed a wonderful collection of parts for this car. Most were NOS, restored or in excellent condition.
About a year later my son and I were in his kitchen. Before we put the '28 Sport Coupe in our trailer to take home he shared a story about each part as he unwrapped it. We were all kids at Christmas. His dream became my dream.
A couple years later my son, Dillon, and I returned to San Louis Obispo to check out Cal Poly. Mick acted as a guide and a recruiter. Months later his voice saddened when I told him over the phone that Dillon decided to go to college in Boulder, Colorado instead.
A few years back Gary Johnson, Mick and myself spent the better part of a week together at Hershey. Good natured teasing and laughter...kids in adult bodies.
These are a few of the memories I have of spending time with Mick Isbell. He was a great family man. A man of great enthusiasm for life. A man with an amazing love of this Model A hobby. I will miss him.
