Now I find out it was a crash in his dragster. Such a dang shame. As a fellow driver of nostalgia a dragster, I feel a deeper loss. That Wayne-head six powered machine was well built, maintained and driven. Tragedy.
I didn't tear up last night when I heard this. I am this morning. I think that Mr. Pat Ganahl wasn't just a great hot rodder. I think he was an exceptionally nice man. He wasn't a tough guy. He was welcoming and gracious and kind. When I was young and reading his words, it seems he had a way of making me feel like even I could be a hot rodder. Thanks for everything, Pat. God bless you.
What a great loss !! I keep thinking back on when our paths crossed, both on a personal and on a hot rod level.... I can't think of a person who will be missed as much by as many in his hot rodding family... R.I.P. my friend......
Just got up and into my morning routine, opened up the HAMB and get kicked in the gut. I feel like I lost a close friend even though we only met via his printed words. So much knowledge has been lost, and for those who knew him personally, there is a hole that can never be filled today. The automotive world has lost a true giant, and many have lost a true friend. RIP Pat, you went out doing what you loved to do.
Thank you, Pat, for the privilege of seeing this world of ours through your camera lens and writing. You made the world better for all of us who enjoy these cars. We will miss your humor and insight.
Wow, such a bummer. I never met pat but followed his emails for years. Almost felt like someone I knew ans was close to. He and his knowledge will both be missed
A great man. My heartfelt sorrow for his family and friends. Every beginning has an end. But so, too, does every end impart a new beginning. Don’t be sad because it’s over, smile because it happened.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Just to be clear, I’m not posting about safety concerns. It’s about doing something you love.
This is absolutely devastating news. In my opinion Pat was the face and voice of American hot rodding. No, let me expand that to hot rodding world-wide. Now he is gone. I am so freaking bummed. My heart goes out to Anna and Billy.
I never met Pat personally, but I always enjoyed reading his articles and enjoying his photography. A number of years ago at the CHRR at FAMOSO, I shot a few shots of his very cool G.M.C. powered dragster. It was always one of my favorite old school race cars. So I share these shots of his dragster, and share my condolences to his family.
Damn! We love you, Pat!!! Wherever you are, I hope this time you are reading all of our words. Your words and your spirit were a great inspiration to us all!
A beautiful car but no safety features at all. I didn't know Pat, but followed his writing for years. His blog posts really helped my spirits over the last few years and I miss him like he was a member of my family.
Rebuilt by Pat to exactly the way Ike Iacono raced in the 50’s. I believe it has the Wayne head Ike used. Pat told me he redid the car as original as he could. He was never going to race and only do exhibitions to have fun. I was happy when he and Anna finished the 33 and being retired to travel and have fun without any dead lines. His articles here on the HAMB was his way of sharing every he had saved in his stash for many many years.
Condolences to the family. Really bummed at this news, I've been reading Pat's stuff since the 70's, his legacy will carry on.
Hello, Here is the "original" GMC racing in living color at Lion's Dragstrip in 1959. Jnaki Here are some great photos taken by @41 GMC K-18 with some outstanding work by Pat, in the reconstruction.
Met him at the GNRS in Pomona a couple of years ago, just before Covid hit. Walked up to him in his boot and told him I really appreciated his friendly, down to earth writing style. Pat treated my like an old friend he had known for years. Great guy, RIP.
Those wee moments in time that never fade, and remind us of just how inspirational and respected some people really are, seem to grow brighter as time passes. One of those moments for me involved Pat. I rescued an old hot rod from Catalina Island many years ago and groveled well enough that Baggy accepted it for the Oakland Roadster show at the last minute. It was placed in a remote spot away from any other cars. Early in the morning before the show opened, I came across this guy taking a picture of my roadster. It was obvious just who it was, even though he was hidden beneath that black drape behind his old camera on a tripod. I asked what he thought about that old critter, and very slowly one arm came out from under the drape, raised up, and pointed in the direction of the display. "That, my friend, is the best car in the show"........ Wow, the Hot Rod Gods have spoken. I walked away without touching the floor, and revere that moment now, and will forever !!
The Jalopy Journal
