Once or twice a year when I log onto the HAMB to post something it’s usually about my old buddy Frank (Fab32) My wife and I actually bought Frank’s house and shop a few months ago. So I have both of his ‘32s and now I’m living in his old home and working on cleaning up his old shop. Full circle I guess. Frank’s wife Sharon stopped by the other day and said “Have you ever seen a picture of Frank’s high school hot rod?” I’d heard him talk about it but I’d never seen a photo of it until she handed this to me. The cool thing about this A coupe is how it came to be an AV8. When Frank was a kid he lived in Pennsylvania and his grandfather drove him and the rest of the kids to school in a 1946 Ford bus. Frank’s family moved to Michigan and the bus was retired to his grandparents farm. When he turned 16 Frank acquired a bone stock ‘29 Model A coupe. He then proceeded to drive it from Oscoda, Michigan to his grandparents farm in Pennsylvania. Once he got there he pulled the engine from the bus and turned the stock A coupe into an AV8 hot rod. For a shakedown run he then drove it back to Michigan at 16 with no phone, GPS, nothing but some tools and I’m assuming a map. Some insulation burned up in the distributor on the way home. He had a box of bandages and used the gauze to replace the insulation. It would last about 75 miles and he’d have to do the process all over again several times till he got home. This coupe is the end result of all that hard work and what Frank and Sharon were driving around while they were dating in high school in the early 60s. Pretty neat story, really neat guy. I’m sure fewer and fewer HAMBers remember him, but the ones that’s do, probably aren’t surprised at all by this story.
That's a nice Model A, Frank was a wealth of knowledge and his PM's and private conversations are missed, Congratulations on acquiring Franks home and being the current caretaker of his Hot Rods. HRP
Great story Scott I definitely remember Frank and I know he would be proud of you for continuing to burn the flame and continue to enjoy the journey he started you on. He’d also like the fact that you’re taking care of his cars and house-shop too.
How cool is that. Both the home shop and Hotrod’s. He was one of the kindest fellows I’ve ever met. Thanks for the update.
Well written and glad to have read about the history of him and the A. Gents (and gals) like yourself are what carry the flame.
Great guy. I miss Frank a LOT. @Lucky77 were you with Frank at the Roundup in 07 when Frank tracked me down in the front the bar that @Django and his band were playing at?
Sorry, wasn’t me. I started hanging out with Frank in ‘06 and honestly I don’t remember him ever going to the LSRU.
Oh, okay then yes that probably was me. I followed him to the show in my daily and he drove his ‘32 sedan that I now own.
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