Gumball Rally

[EM-0785]

Originally Posted by EM-0785

Great stuff there Bill!

I spent time searching online some months back to no avail. Figured ‘someone' might know, yet not much online!

The Gumball Rally changed my life for the better. It was my first view of a Cobra and I was determined to have one.

Our niece, on my wife’s side, lived with us 5 summers and many weekends in the school year when she’d lost her parents. She was then lost in a tragic car accident at age 16.

Our family had been fond of swimming with sea turtles in Hawaii. Her cousin honored her by getting a turtle tattoo with our niece’s thumbprint pattern as the turtle shell.

Fast forward over a decade…Last year my wife began having positive, heartfelt dreams of wave after wave of sea turtles frolicking all around her at the seashore in the sun. It made her think fondly of our niece.

That same week I bought the Gumball Rally so I could finally watch it ‘at will’. I’d seen it many times before. My wife loves the Cobra, and this was the first time for her watching the movie. We had a great time watching it together.

At the end, the Cobra reigned victorious and they showed the trophy. Our jaws dropped and we just sat there in awe, rewinding several times, both our eyes locked on the crown jewel of our Cobra relationship. The turtle atop the Gumball trophy, of course, a golden turtle.

All the times I’d watched that movie before, I’d never once noticed any turtle. Life was aligned at this point and the Cobra was meant to be. Now I get to spend freely on it and not look back! ☺

Long story short, if that trophy ever presented itself, I’d gladly be in the running for it. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’d love to present that to my wife, I think it would be very meaningful to her.

That’s my turtle story…

Brent

We Took Home the Trophy!

As a follow-up to my prior Gumball Rally trophy/turtle post (quoted herein), our NW group members Tom (Alfa02) and Tim (aka: Tim & Jamie!) set out to make this a reality, with a secret works project. It was quite a heartfelt and fun surprise they presented to us at our recent club gathering.

While the original movie trophy wasn’t to be found, they went to work creating a ‘real’ replica. What an unbelievable job they did! They identified the original gumball machine manufacturer and located a matching classic machine and refurbished it as a basis for their overall creation.

They had a custom walnut base turned on a lathe. They located a woodworking expert who hand carved the turtle, mounted via an integrated key that sets into the top cover keyhole. They located an expert to create the concave wording placard.

For a special touch, they searched out gumballs individually stamped with ‘Ford’. For a complete set, they included a framed Gumball Rally trophy/turtle movie poster.

The goal was certainly achieved, Joan was lifting her glasses and wiping her eyes! This will be the central piece for our planned Cobra alcove and very special. A fitting display too for a picture of Nicole and copy of the story to go with it.

This thing is sturdy, almost takes two people to lift it. Tim, ever thoughtful, pulled me aside and pointed out a couple minor areas that aren’t an exact replication, and explained how I could address later if ever interested. That is what I call Tim quality!

This will remain, for us, the most meaningful replica ever produced in the Cobra world!

Great job you guys, a winning effort and presentation, from some real winners! This will also commemorate our big win in meeting the wonderful folks in this group. Great to see everybody…

Brent & Joan