I hope that you get going again safely Richard. My best wishes are with you!
Kinda like Tony, I hate to hijack Richards thread, but this is another one of those close but still so far away stories that I have heard (and experienced) about professional cars.
Back in '94 (hey Tony, you and I both bought pro cars in '94) when I purchased my '73 Superior Cadillac Crown, a friend of mine and I drove about 175 miles into West Virginia to look at the car on Monday. We didn't get a chance to actually get it out and check it out because it was stored in a barn behind a boat and a couple of other collector cars. Well, love at first site, we drove back down Friday with cash in hand to pick her up. I would guess that we drove her about 165 miles toward home and as we were within about 10 miles of the house, I got a flat tire. 5pm in the evening, 10 miles from the house, flat tire and no spare! We just happened to be within about 100 feet of a tire shop that I knew well. I limped up the side of the road and into their parking lot. I asked the guy if he he had ANY tire that would fit and he found one out back in the used pile. Even though he was actually closed for the night, he put it on and didn't charge me a penny. We made it the last 10 mile home without a problem. I think that he helped me out because he was just glad to get "that old hearse" out of his parking lot.
Richard, I am sorry to take up your thread. Let us know how you are doing and when you get the car and get her home. Good luck in getting the truck going and getting you and the Criterion home safely!