Dave Gale has passed away.

Dave Gale succumbed to the complications of open-heart surgery, this morning.

Dave thru the two companies he founded; Just-A-Hobby, (later sold to Barry Lobeck) and Curb Side Hot Rod Parts, was for many years a major supplier of frames and frame rails to the hot rod industry.
In addition using his wonderful creative talents, Dave produced quiet a few unique hot rods, many of which received national acclaim.

He was a mentor, a friend.

He is dearly missed.


Steve Grimes

 

His work was always beyond amazing. I'm in shock. Thanks for the info Steve... He will be greatly missed.

 

Never met the man, but loved everything that ever had his stamp.
Condolences to his family and friends.

 

Sorry to hear that. I had one of his '32 chassis under my 3W with quarter elipticals on both ends. Set only 4" high and rode like a Cadillac. He was definitely an innovater ahead of his time.

 

Dave projects were always an inspiration for me. His forward thinking made hotrodding exciting.

 

From Dan Webb

We've lost a great friend and one of the largest contiributors to the hot rod industry. He was years ahead of his time, we all took lessons from him. Our thoughts are with his family and his long time friend Steve Grimes. We were looking forward to Daves and Steves visit to the shop in December.

Best Reguards
Dan Webb
Webb Automotive Art

 

I worked with Dave when we were both employed at Progressive Automotive, then as his first employee at Just A Hobby. He taught me how to TIG weld and how to think for myself and develop the skills. He was generous and wanted me to do well. He was a great inspiration to me as well as many others. I will miss his personality as well as the stuff that he knew. Dan Dreisbach/Nakedsculpture

 

I can't believe it - I'm sorry for the family's loss first, then us car folks.

 

Dave & I started our hot rod business' in the 70's. He was smarter, he got out sooner. He was a man's man & a good,honest,sincere guy. All his pals are going to miss him lots ! Lets all have one more to celebrate Dave.........the "Flatlander"

 

I first took notice of Dave and his skills, when I saw his Doane Spencer inspired 32 roadster at the Memphis NSRA Nationals. He was light years ahead of everyone building HOT RODS back then.... a real genius.
Condolences to his family and friends.

 

I never met the man, but admired his work. I remember reading the feature on the Spencer-inspired roadster in Hot Rod about 1984. Then a few years later was able to acquire the Kinmont brakes off the very same car.

The cars he built were always clean and sleek, just the way a hot rod should be.

 

Sorry to hear that Steve, my condolences. You hear about too much of this sort of thing these days.

Does anyone have any pics of his cars to post?

 

Photos of Dave Gale cars requested.

Dave was instrumental in the construction of many of my cars,
Here are two examples............

 

The 1st time I remember seeing Dave's name in ink, he was cruising his version of the Doane Spencer/Neil East Clone that he built, that was one kick ass car! He later personalized it by painting it maroon slamming the hell out of it with 1/4 eliptic front springs and a single bar per side front end, John Coute owns that grown shaking car today and has been on R&C twice that I remember.
Steve, correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember you having an equally low green deuce, am I right?

Dave is in my prayers as well as his family.

 

Photos of Dave Gale cars...

Originally painted yellow, this car later surfaced in California, re-painted red & white and advertised as having been built by Bo Jones. This however was not true, the car was in fact was built by Dave Gale in the early 1970's.

 

Damn! I thought somebody cool built that T, My buddy had it for a while, then sold it to Bo. I always dug the marroon Deuce too. Great builder- R.I.P.

 

Sad news indeed. His cars were always a cut above and employed some unique feature. Thinking "out of the box' was standard fare for Dave. My condolences to his family and friends.

Frank

 

Dave's last car (truck), finished just prior to his passing...

 

Sorry to hear it Steve.
Have to admit that the name didn't ring a bell for me at first, then someone mentioned the Doane Spencer style car!
He did nice work and although he was into perfectly finished cars, they all had a simple, elegant style to them.

R.I.P. Dave.

 

Wow, I love closed cab '29 pickups with fenders, and, really what more can be done, Dave Gale obviously understood stance. Bitchin.

 

I remember some great articles on his 32 in Rod Action. He will be missed but he will live on in the cars he built. That is the first time I have seen his truck, wow it is perfect. My prayers go out to his family and friends.
chuck

 

Here is a pic

 

Dave's last truck, The "Frog Truck" is now in Phoenix, Arizona with Joe Clifford (Modified)

Dave, I miss you so much, my friend!

 

sad news I have that rear engined flathead car hanging on the wall it`s wild

 

God speed sir!!!

 

I have a steel '27 Roadster that was purported to have been built by Dave Gale. Crawling around underneath that neat frame is a trip. Excellent craftsmanship throughout and some neat little details. This will probably be a car I'll keep until someone pulls me out of the cockpit and takes away the keys.

dj

 

Sorry to hear the news. I loved those little roadsters he built. R.I.P. Dave

 

Sad news, I will hve to dig out a couple old issues tonight and look at his work again.

 

Sorry to hear of the passing of Dale.

 

wow.. this is sad news... he will be missed...

wood