Owner of rare car collection damaged in Durham explosion: 'We treasure those memories'

The building in downtown housed The Ingram Collection, dozens of rare and historic cars that drew fans from all over the country who came and ogled at the high-end vehicles.

But during the midmorning hours of April 10, the cars were exposed during a natural gas explosion that killed two people and injured over two dozen others.

For Robert "Bob" Ingram, collecting the cars is more than a hobby, it's a family passion.

His hobby -- and passion -- is his exclusive collection of rare, collectible vehicles.

Ingram says the cars have always been meant to share with the community. Since the building opened in 2002, the Ingram Collection hosted numerous events, raising more than $700,000 for charitable causes.

The emotional connection Ingram has with many of the cars compounds the tragedy of that fateful day in Durham.

He recalls the frantic moments after the blast.

"I got behind a Durham police car that had turned its lights on and I figured I was going to get a ticket," he said. "But we got down there fairly quickly. My first concern was the safety of the people who I knew (were in) that building."

He says the value of human life far outweighs the value of things.

"I learned a long time ago the most important things in life are not things," he said. "They're our health, our family and our friendships, and we count our blessings. But it was a day we will not forget, for a lot of reasons. But it was a day we will not forget."

On the day of the Durham explosion, Ingram said he prayed for those who died and the injured.

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"After the fire was under control and extinguished, we got up and looked in the building," Ingram said. "And of course your first reaction is one of disappointment."

Water, smoke and debris ruined the building during the explosion and left the once pristine car collection sitting in the middle of rubble.

Said Ingram: "These are cars, pieces of steel, but you do get attached to them. And sadly, one of the cars that's probably a total loss is the first really important historic car we acquired. We called her Ruby because her shade of paint was ruby red. And it was a '59 356 Porshe Carrera GT, of which they only built about 15 that year."

There were about 26 cars in the building at the time of the explosion, and only six were salvageable.

"This car, which is car 8 of 20, probably has the best history in that it was owned by a Swedish count. And he raced the car 11 times and won all 11 races."

"I asked Cam that day if he thought we could still restore it in time, and I think not wanting to disappoint his father, he said 'maybe.'"

The company had about four months until the Pebble Beach show was held.

The firm packed about five months of work into that time and the car was ready.

"When we won, it was a great day," Bob Ingram said. "It was very emotional ... great day."

The Abarth's history of winning continued when it won the Best in Class award.

"People always ask me 'Well, which one's your favorite?' and I say, it's kind of like my chidren," he said through laughter. "It depends on what day you ask. But (the Abarth) has always been one of our three stars."

When asked if Ingram ever visits the building that once housed the cars, he says, "We do, and we do it with mixed emotions. We treasure those memories and always will. I treasure those memories but today is a gift, tomorrow's a promise and yesterday is a memory."