Rochester NY historical pic and question

Matt, where are you running that weekend? I gotta imagine the new owner will do well, as he's a chassis builder and obviously a drag racer. I'm looking forward to the new season

 

I crew for Tom Carter / Jawbreaker alcohol funny car. We are testing in Valdosta, GA that weekend. I also am looking foward to this new season.
How's your dads FED?
Matt

 

Good idea. I think that anybody who is interested in this type of racing should go , if they are able to make it.

Bernie Scheuerman

 

Ah, I see. I was thinking you were running your car. My dad's car is probably gonna be up for sale in 2 or 3 weeks as a roller. I got hurt and wasn't able to do any work on it for a while, and he actually bought ANOTHER rear engine car that he's picking up this weekend, so he decided to let it go. If you know anyone local who might be interested, please give them my number (585-721-9828). It's a very late 60's car, long wheel base (just over 200"), all updated with a nostalia style cage, kidney bars, sleeved tubes, etc. The chassis will certify to 7.50. Will fit a tall driver (I'm 6'4 and will fit).
Anyway, we're all looking forward to the new season, and seeing how the new owners will do at NYIRP. As far as the nostalgia racing goes, I'm very much interested in seeing that go well, as I'm collecting parts for a front engine car.

 

So I took my son to the NY transportation on East River Rd today and struck up a conversation with an older racer.He spoke of a garage in Webster and the guys name was Mersa or Mercers, said on a Friday night you could drive by there and see 3 to 4 flathead stock cars sitting out front running.Man I would've loved to see and hear that.I took a bunch of pictures of old Rochester streets.For 3 bucks I say its worth it to check it out 6393 East River Rd.It kinda looks like they need some visitors.

 

That would be the Merz Garage on Ridge Rd. in Webster, just outside the village. Bobby Merz, the propriator, was the Spencer Modified champion in '59 and '61. Sadley, he passed away recently. The garage is still there. If only those walls could talk......

Bernie Scheuerman

 

Merz was also know for his whinning Chevy and GMC 6's.His greasy old shop was a landmark in Webster,a place until recently you could get car work done for reasonabe money.The Garage was recently sold ,but it's still there,cleaned up though,looks like a used car lot now.
At the wake for old Bob Merz one of his old race cars was parked out in front of the funeral home.

 

Hey..I worked at Fred Walker Ford from about 1965 'till 1979 as Fred's truck and fleet sales manager. I remember yor Dad very well! He was a fantastic parts manager..I worked with him a lot, and was always impressed with his knowledge and his help. I'm sure that you miss him.

Richn Whittemore

 

Glad to see this one come back to the top...and that got me to thinking about Elmer Musclow and the Turner brothers, Tubby and Don. You guys remember them?

 

Speaking of old Rochester, NY Dealerships, anybody remember this one........

 

That looks alot like the building at the corner of Monroe and Alexander, its now an "Indian cuisine" restaurant.

 

The building at the corner of Monroe and Alexander has been demolished for almost a year now.

 

Wow Rich Whittemore, I remember you. I was a teenager in the `70's and I distinctly remember your name. You're into hot rodding too? Cool! My formative years as a kid hanging around the Ford dealership is probably the biggest reason why I'm fiercely proud of the earlier Ford products, and I guess I've established an infamous reputation and one of the chief bitchers when guys "cross- pollinate" them with brand X drivelines. You remember Nobie and Herman in the shop? How about Ronnie and Donnie Johnson and Mike Niemergut (sp?) and Johnnie Cagle in parts? I had a mad crush on the Indian girl that worked in the office, can't remember her name though. I was so clutzy as a teenager that I could hardly form a complete sentence when I had the chance to talk to her. Oh well some things never change....... anyway thanks for chiming in I'll talk to you soon!

 

I happened to drive by a house with an opel gt for sale in the driveway about 10 years ago. I bought the car because I've always wanted a gt. It just happened to be Ross' gt, just not the one he dragged. This was just prior to his divorce. I know he opened up a shop off Chili Ave which didn't seem to last too long. I can't remember the name...but I do have a business card from him at home. I never saw his altered gt, just pictures.

 

Elmer Musclow, that brings back Memories of the Monroe county Fairgrounds. Elmer was one of the last flathead holdouts when everyone was switching to the small block Chevy. How about Dutch Hoag and the Penn Yan Express ? Nolan Swift and 10 pins? BJ 21 from Bucks Auto Parts. Tom...

 

Hey Henry Floored
Thanks for your response. I remember you as little Mike, and your mom was (is) Bruna, and I think you have a sister nemed Anita (maybe). I don't remember you as a teenager, only as a little kid.
I'm not into hot rods / racing. With a blended family of 8 kids, we didn't have time or $$ for that. I just came across this site when I Googled "Fred Walker Ford Rochester NY"
My career was in sales with Walkers, Maday Truck Body, Conway GMC / Beam Mack and finally with DeCarolis Truck Rental...names you may not have heard of. Oh yea, Taylor Chevlolet after they bought our Cool Chevrolet and S&S GMC Truck Sales..old old names. Except for the years at Walkers, I'm a Chevvy buying man.
I remember most of the names you mentioned. I started at Walkers right after Service Manager Bernie Farley(sr) had his big accident. Remember John Howard? Vern in the shop, Charlie Graffrath in parts who came up into truck sales, and Bob Joy who also came into sales from the truck shop? Bob Keller,
Ronnie who worked in new car predelivery and was married and later divorced to a short chubby girl who worked in the office. He used to put a hunk of grease on my telephone handset and call me from across the showroom and watch me go ape when I answered it and got grease all over my hands.
Anyway, enough nostalgia..hope you are well. Talk with you later.

Rich

 

Hey John got any pics of the Nazi ?? Bob Barrese and a few others ran it at Spencer in '61-62?? solid black '57 post car, haven't seen it for over 30 yrs some guy on the east side maybe in the Perington area supposedly still owns it. thanks, Serge BTW be home in 2-3 wks

 

Hey Tagman what was the Chevy dealer on Culver?? I believe was is COOL?

 

Sorry, Serge - I remember Cool Chevrolet, but I couldn't tell you for sure just where it was located..........CRS, ya know !!

 

Serge, sorry I don't have any photos of Jerry Pfuntner's old Nazi! A bunch of us went out to Smack's Rod Shop last year and it was in there for some type of service. Same car, same old rolled and pleated upholstery that Jerry had done in Tijuana right after he bought it - NEW!!! A great piece of rolling art and history. When Jerry sold the Nazi, it di go to the guy in Perinton. I can't remember if he still owns it. See you in a couple weeks.

Ahhhhh, COOL Chevrolet - it was on Culver Road, justy a couple paces from East Avenue. Remember Rosie Genuso? Her pop was the service manager there and was the basis of her getting all the really hot parts for her Corvette's. Rosie went on to marry Tom McMullen after she met him at the Salt Flats. Don't know if she is still out in California or not as I haven't heard anything about her in years. Anyone know anything further???

While I don't think Jerry and Rosie ever raced each other as they were, obviously, in different classes, it would have been an outstanding race, for sure. Both cars were really fast.


Damn, the names just keep taking me further back...

 

Hey Rich,

Bingo! that's us. Mom and Dad are both gone now. I called Anita last night when I read your response and she freaked out that you found this thread and us. I remember most of those people you mentioned. I got it wrong on one, it was Vern not Herman the "ole German" out in the shop. What an ace he was. We moved to Florida in `77 near Lee and Jenny Whittenbeck.

I hope you all are well also. I've got Anita looking for some pics that I can scan and add to this thread so stay tuned. Thanks again, and a salute to all you present and former Rochestarians. A lot of auto and hot rod history to be unearthed from that area. Take care all!

 

Well I found this old pic. Howie and Bruna Thompson in their mid 20's circa 1953. They married in Castelfranco Italy. I was lucky to have them as parents, and for the car guys you're look'in at the best damn parts man there ever was!

 

I just got a email from Jim Caruso (son of one of the Caruso bros.), he sent me this picture of their old willys and the car the son races now. the picture I posted earlier says "Airoso Bros" not Caruso bros.
sorry about that, eyesight and old age... Ron...

It was cool to hear from Jim.....

 

Thanks Ron, always loved that Willys!

Bernie Scheuerman

 

here is a cool story, I went to the SoCal shootout memorial day weekend and I decided to make some passes in our 05 dodge PU as I have not raced since I left Rochester 16 years ago, so I am at the head of the staging lanes and the Caruso bros(next generation) nova pulls up in the lane next to me, I was going to go over and Introduce myself but he looked like he was getting ready to run and I didn't want to bother him.
well here I am 2 weeks later and I get this email from Jim Caruso saying he did a search on his dads willys and found this thread and contacted me, that was so weird, now I wish I would have said Hi to him, he also won the C/GAS class. how cool is that Ron...

anyone else have any more pics from back in the day around Rochester???? please, Post them......

 

OK, so I stumble upon this forum (even though I visit from time to time as a guest reading and looking at ratrods) after googling names like merz and reichert. Then, I run across my own name...how weird. Bernie, Zag and Matt, good to see (?) you. Mike, I can't believe it! You're here too! I'm on the east coast directly across from you. We need to meet up one of these days!

 

Hey Frank! How are you? Welcome to the HAMB!!

Bernie Scheuerman

 

It's me Frankie! You're right we need to meet up soon. How are things? Hope all is well. PM me and I'll give you my contact info. Take care friend......

Mike

 

Mike,

Attached is a link to the scan of the front of the calendar that I got from your dad (Uncle Howard as I knew him) in 1977. There are no pics of the front of Walker Ford. Regardless, I will hand deliver this unused calendar along with the Mustang II Cobra decal I was telling you about.

Bernie,

Send those pics to me.

Frank

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=649&pictureid=4819

 

You guys should totally start a HAMB group just for Rochester people! Here's a link:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php