Gosh, it is such a great loss to us all when folks like Mike take their final ride. Prayers go out for Mike and all his family. May he be Blessed in the presence of God.
"I was underneath Norm's T at Normandin's Chrysler in 1958, the car was 'on tour' to promote '77 Sunset Strip'. John Lyons and I tooled up in my channeled '30 Coupe, Norm was surprised to see a hot rod in San Jose! (he was kidding) Outside, the car was flawless. Underneath? The mount for the Ross 'milk truck' box was quick-fabbed from 1/4" plates, welded at 90s to make a shallow box. (not 'pretty') Brake pedal was welded from 2, at the main arm, to retain the arc thru the floorboard. Master cyl was not seated securely on the bottom of the cross member, but placed in line with the relocated pedals. Transmission seemed to be the central focal point, it was bolted to a Ford mount on what looked like the center of a '34 cross member...too many years past, but I couldn't stop thinking about the unique 'hairpins': they were 4 Ford tie rods, ("four bar") like early Indy cars. Bugged me, as the spring was behind...I kept thinking there were conflicting 'forces', spring behind wanting to 'roll' axle backward, so were the bars in parallel too close together? Obviously not, but it had me thinking... The car was built hastily by a teenager and his friends. Car showed up at Neil Emory's shop only after steering turned the opposite way, then after some mishaps...then for the big change. The fabulous Grabowski 'T' was not perfection as some are engineered today, but was an absolute to me...My roadster at the time was a little more 'detailed', as I had older 'mentors' coming by and advising against MY steering bracket...(I changed it then) My '39 pedals and M'Cyl. were mounted in my '32 crossmember thru holes that encompassed the 'member between forged '39 pedal mount and '48 master cyl. flange. '32 frame saved me from lots of otherwise 'embarrassing engineering prototypes' that would have certainly occurred. My front end (tube axle, reversed spring mounts, tapered '37 spring) copied Norm's to a 'T'. (mine was a 'A'!) He led the way... Mike in Atwater" https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/wow-original-kookie-t.1108152/page-2#post-12578263 ...Quoted above, this was one of the stories Mike told that let you know he was right in the heart of the Culture in the good ole days...may he rest in peace... It reminds me of @Moriarity's describing what he saw on Kookie at the Auction before it went to Brizio's for its restoration...
Dang it! God speed, Mike! He will be missed. Condolences to those whom loved him or called him "friend".
I never met Mike in person, but I always enjoyed his stories here on the HAMB. Does anyone know his last name? I would like to send a card to his wife Joey. Thanks from Dennis
I saw when it was first posted and didn’t know what to say. I still don’t. I miss him, and am sad I will never see his new posts again. He was one of not too many that I always read what he had to say.
I do Dennis but don't feel at liberty to share at this time sorry. I have been trying to ring Joey but the phone just goes to voicemail. I intend to print these pages and mail them to her along with the other thread, "What happened to Atwater Mike" so she gets an idea of what impact he has had on the people here. Cheers, Rob
Hey @RobC Check your PM conversation's box, I included you in the original conversation I had with Mike back in 2019. Thank's from Dennis.
So sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed hearing his take on things. This is such a huge loss. Rest in Peace Atwater Mike.
This is his car about 1962,Santa Clara.. his first wife holding my sister on the porch, his shadow taking the picture.
Great post 41 GMC; an awesome story of making the connection via the HAMB. I always read Mike's posts. Being a fellow "Big Valley" resident, felt a bit of connection. Mike was a real deal hot rodder who was quick to share his wisdom. Rest in peace Mike.
Mike's daily was the pickup at the start of this post. He also had a '54 Ford coupe, '63 Galaxie hard top, recently sold his early '60s Tbird and had an A tourer on deuce rails long term project in the works. He never let the grass grow under his feet!
Also a 66 beetle, another 27 touring, a 27 highboy, a 50 F1 and recently bought a bmw motorcycle with a vw engine, lots of very cool stuff!
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