I thought about Ghost this morning as I went for a ride on my 69 Lighting, did a Google search and found this post.
I worked for Ghost in 67 and 68 during the summers, did bookkeeping with a guy named Bob Read. Part of my job was to push all the bikes out in the morning and to cover Pop at the liquer store when he went out for diner. Big Jim Smith worked in the parts department, a huge guy who looked like a buldog, rode an old BMW with a solo seat. I was 19 or 20 and a motorcycle nut so this was a dream job. Drove a van to the races on the weekends when BSAs and Nortons were running on dirt. Rebember the day the uncrated an Egli Vincent and put it in the window, like a religious artifact. I loved to wonder through the warehouse down the street where there was an assortment of rare racers, a lot of small bore stuff. Remember sitting on a new Norton Ranger, always thought I'd get one some day but now I probably wouldn't be able to kick it over. Still ride Lightnings, have had one constantly since 1970.
Drove by the store a year or two ago, now full of antiques. Walked down the ramp, the basement was much smaller then I remembered. Sal used to bring mechanics over from Italy, couldn't speak English, Mike Gargano the service manager had to translate but they sure could fine tune those ducks.
Thought the family might still live in the house behind the store but there was no sign of life. Great fun a long time ago.
