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Twenty-five years ago, I saw my first Jade Pearl Talon in person. Ever since then, I've kept an eye out for one.

Over the years, I only had one real opportunity to buy a genuine Jade Pearl AWD. In 2021, I began discussing the possibility of purchasing Beau's (Eckzavier) car. It wasn't just another Jade Pearl to me. I had followed Beau's build thread here on DSMtuners for years and watched the car evolve under his ownership. By that point, the car had already become one of the Jade Pearls I associated most with the community. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't right. Life was busy on my end, and I'm sure the thought of parting with a car he had owned for so long wasn't easy either. Eventually, the sale fell through, and I was back to searching for a Jade Pearl of my own.

Years passed and eventually, I started to believe owning one just wasn't in the cards. I had considered painting my black '98 TSi my sought-after color of Jade Pearl, but I knew it would never have been the same as owning a factory-produced Jade Pearl Talon.

Then late last year, I saw that a Jade Pearl which had previously been listed for sale here on DSMtuners out of Oregon had been refreshed and posted in a Facebook group by a friend. He shared that he had recently finished up the car and would be listing it for sale. I reached out to talk with him about it and even inquired about buying it, but his plan was to list it later on Bring a Trailer.

Months went by as I kept an eye on Bring a Trailer, waiting to see if the Jade Pearl Talon would ever appear. I wasn't sure if it actually would. Then in April, it finally happened.

Ironically, at the same time, the Jade Pearl that had slipped away years earlier became available again. Beau replied to a message I had sent asking one more time if he would be open to discussing the sale of his car. This time, the timing was right for both of us. I was ready to buy, and he was open to moving his Jade Pearl into the hands of someone he trusted.

The only challenge I faced now was that I suddenly had the opportunity to pursue two different Jade Pearls. There was no certainty that I would win the Bring a Trailer auction, and there was always the possibility that Beau could change his mind. For a brief period, I found myself chasing both cars at the same time.

As I continued to communicate with Beau throughout the week, I settled in and watched the auction unfold. By the final day, it became apparent that the battle was between me and one other bidder. We went back and forth, each waiting until the last possible seconds before bidding again. Eventually, the clock hit zero, and the car was mine.

It was a surreal moment. Twenty-five years of waiting had finally come to an end.

Shortly after winning the auction, Beau got back to me and confirmed he was ready to move forward as well. The situation was actually perfect because one of my concerns after acquiring the Bring a Trailer Talon was not wanting to modify the car. Buying Beau's Jade Pearl solved that problem and gave me a second Jade Pearl that I could enjoy, improve, and drive without reservation once it was back on the road.

Beau and I agreed on terms and scheduled a FaceTime call to go over the car. After making sure we were both on the same page, payment was sent and I was officially on my way to owning my second Jade Pearl.

A few weeks later, I set out just after midnight to make the nonstop drive from Washington to Idaho to pick up the car. It's a drive I've made many times, but this one felt a little different. Before long, I was backing up to Beau's garage and loading up a car I had followed for years.

I know it wasn't easy for him to part ways with the Jade Pearl, and I genuinely appreciate that he trusted me enough to let it go and allow me to carry the torch. It was great finally meeting Beau in person after years of following the build online and interacting through the DSM community. We spent some time talking, loaded up the car with the help of my kids, and before long I was headed back home to Washington.

I made it back before nightfall and finally had the car home.

Now the next chapter begins.

After sitting for many years, the car needs significant attention before it returns to the road. It currently doesn't run, and years of storage left plenty of cleanup and restoration work ahead. The goal is not to erase its history, but to build upon it and return the car to the road where it belongs.

There's a long journey ahead, but that's part of what makes these cars special. I'm looking forward to bringing this Jade Pearl back to life and sharing the process along the way.

Pictures
After purchase and at pick up:









After it's first bath in some time:






Two Jade Pearls together... might be a first :


Videos
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