I saw an article by "lil' John" in a Hot Rod magazine, probably '82 or '83 or so. In it, he showed how to make a sort of aluminum spacer/clamp to hold three braided lines together. He showed it step by step; measure the hoses, lay it out on aluminum with a scribe, drill some holes, bandsaw away the excess, touch it up with a belt sander. Viola`! I was just getting into cars and hotrodding at the time; I looked at that and said "Hell, I can do that!" While I was already into relatively minor fabrication (torch and stick-welder) that one article, almost by itself, started me on what's now been many, many years of machine work, and I've enjoyed almost every minute of it. Doc.
There ya go! And isn't simplicity and purity the real beauty of Johns work? Sure he's moved on into the extreme end of custom machining, but he started as a guy just doing the best he could with a limited number of tools, an UNlimited imagination and a shit load of files! Those were the days where Johns incredible TALENT was at the forefront. Nowadays, people ASSUME that the modern CNC tools etc. are the key to his work...but all they do is speed up the process. This post needs that pic of a young Lil' John sitting at his file and clamp covered workbench, late at night, shaping some small piece by hand file. That one pic always pops into my head whenever Johns name comes up. Total intensity and dedication.
get well soon John- hope to meet you in person some day- have plenty of experience with the "c" word up close and personal in my life with people very close to me... and my own experiences to last a life time... keep you're head up man- Tuck
Thanks Cole, Jesse, Ryan and Brian for keeping us informed about John's progress. I first met John on the starting grid of the Indy 500 over ten years ago and could not believe how he took time to wish us good luck and to "let 'er all hang out." I was more nervous meeting John than I was for that damn race. What a down-to-earth ICON! At this year's GG event at Del Mar, my friend Steve Moal invited me to lunch with him and John and it turned into a 4 hour bullshit session about trends, friends and racing. As Jesse pointed out, John is really proud of his son Chris and is anxious to get his car done. John took me through the whole Indy story and it should be the basis for a damn book. One of the most enjoyable days of my life. While I certainly do not know John like others do, I DO know that he is one tough SOB and if anyone can beat this deal, John can. Tough as damn nails. John, our thoughts and prayers are with you brother. Give it hell!!!
John and I go back over 50 years , we grew up together in Wisconsin. I wish you a fast recovery John and I know you won't take any crap from those nurses. Al Josephson
John: Wishing you a complete and speedy recovery. Tap into that energy and spark that drove all your life's accomplishments and use it to STAY WITH ALL OF US AS LONG AS POSSIBLE! Thanks also to Cole and Patty and everyone else.... -85% jimmy
Grew up watching Johns accomplishments in Hot Rod Magazine! God Bless John and his family,the hot rod community is pulling for you.
I was pretty sad to read the news about ol John at first...but damn glad to hear that he seems to be on his way to bouncing back. The man is a legend, a hero and a friend to me...and I wish him and his family all the best right now. Thanks for posting this Cole, and thanks to Jesse and the others looking after The Man... (Tell him I look forward to rapping with him again real soon!!) Get well, John.
i heard carbon kenny is running for president and my dads making him billet campaign buttons....way cool
Very please to hear that Lil John is doing well Tumors are a shitty thing and i am just so pleased that he is doing well. After having two brain tumors myself i understand somewhat what Lil John is going through so from down under i wish him all the best
I've been wondering about Lil John for awhile now and am sad to hear about him this way. Hopefully with all our good thoughts and wishes he will be back building some more badass cars. When I first learned about him through Hot Rod Magazine I instantly saw his talent. Loved every car of his especially the '32 three window coupe with the electric sunroof (because it was too claustrophobic for him). The fuel lines on the engine were a work of art. Wow!
Wishing for a speedy recovery good to hear he is home, you have been a huge inpiration to all John...
Here is the letter to post on the H.A.M.B. Please make any changes you want and go ahead and post. If you want me to post for you let me know first thing in the morning as I have to leave town for work. Thanks for allowing me to help, BB My friends are my wealth—and since reading the H.A.M.B. I realize I’m a whole lot wealthier. My life as I knew it pretty much ended four to six weeks ago when I found out that I had brain cancer. I went from being the surly cantankerous Lil’ John to where I now find myself, in a state of recovery. Some would say that I was unlucky but the reality is I was very lucky. I am lucky to have another shot to do what I have done all my life—build cars. True, I have a different perspective on life. This was a self-inflected wound, my own stupidity. Several years ago a good friend told me to get regular MRI’s to catch something like this early before it becomes a problem. He was right and I was stubborn. You don’t ever want your loved ones to look at you the way my son, Chris, looked at me. For a meager 15 to 20 minutes each year you and your family can have piece-of-mind. If you believe any of those words that you posted on the H.A.M.B. about me then take the time to take care of yourself. To me hot rodding is about people, the cars are great but it has always been about the people. Each and every post on the H.A.M.B. means something special. I find it so incredible that each of you took the time to stop what you were doing and write down your thoughts. Believe me when I say that I have read each and every post, time and time again. I can’t express my thoughts sincerely enough to tell each of you how much good you have brought back into my life. Because of your thoughts on the H.A.M.B. I now realize that I am the wealthiest hot rodder alive. All of the good wishes and words expressed on each and every post became a magic pill to help me gain my strength. It’s been the best medicine. My health is getting better and everyday I get a little stronger—best of all I no longer see four of everything! In the end the only cost to me will be time, which in turn will give me more time to enjoy all of my new found friends, build, and do what I thrive on the most—driving my hot rod. When it comes to building cars I can tell you truly that I’m not quitting any time soon. When I come out of this it will be like Yosemite Sam—both guns a blazin’. The next project has already started, it is a Model A sedan that I am doing with my son Chris for him. The people who have jumped on board to help make this happen are some of the most talented and respected hot rodders who I find myself fortunate to call my friends; Steve Davis, Chip Foose, Cole Foster, Jesse James, and JR Robinson that’s just the start. Some would say that I was unlucky I would have to differ. See all of you on the road. Sincerely,
WOW...... thats all I can think to say after reading your last post a few times........ I'm really relieved you'll be around to enjoy this fascination with cars and metal with us. We're all wealthy having you around...... I'd like to see pics of that A Sedan, I'm building a 29 for myself! Cheers, John
For some reason I didn't see the post until this morning. You have my thoughts and prayers and this will be passed around to many friends. It is good to hear that your doing good. If you need anything or need to talk send me a pm. God bless Mick
I missed this all as well. I'm glad to hear he's doing well. John Buttera is one of my "mentor's" mentors. I STILL hear "that Buttera car..." this and "That Buttera car" that. Could someone close to him please let him know how far reaching his influence really is? Thanks. Get well soon.....
Thanks for your heart felt letter. That makes it all worthwhile. None of us did anything but type a few words and maybe a prayer or two, but if it helped brighten your day...it sure as hell has brightened our day. Thanks.
The Jalopy Journal
