Lost a Legend- Joe Mac, Ford Parts Obsolete

From the RandC article on him in September 1969, he stated he didn't believe in messing with Henry's original designs, just give 'em a shave and a haircut! He did eventually chop his Sport coupe, though! He had some fine rides in his day, including a Model T hillclimber with a Rajo head and flames that kicked some butt on Signal Hill.

 

During my time at Bell Auto Parts I was always in contact with John "Kretch" Kretzschmar on the parts counter either ordering parts for my '40 Deluxe coupe or taking an order from him for some more dropped axles! In fact, Kretch is asleep on my couch as I write this as he and his buddy Dick Fitchette, another former Ford Obsolete employee are here in Arizona and doing some amazing work on my '50 Olds fastback. Joe Mac and Kretch were very close all the way up to the end. I know that I speak for Dick and Kretch as well as myself when I say Rest in Peace old Buddy and God Speed.

Steve "Wolfie" Doll

 

Those old trips to Mexico are kinda famous old yarns. I have an old Rod and Custom that did a little one box cartoon that had Joe and his partner up against a wall, blindfolded in front of a Mexican firing squad.
The guy that went down south with Joe was his best friend, Jim Talmadge who was quite a character too. He was also the son of the great Buster Keaton, for those of you who don't know that name, he was the greatest comedian and film maker of the silent era and I'm a huge fan of him also, so much so that my son's first name is Keaton. Anyway one of the guys in the 4ever4 club put me in touch with Talmadge years ago and I'd call and let him tell me stories and he'd would tell me about those trips with Joe, sounded like they had a blast.

Wolfie, do you remember Jim Eliot? He went to work for Joe when he was a kid. Jim was a member of the T club here in Long Beach, had a big collection of cool cars. He passed away few years ago too.

 

Very sorry to hear this. RIP Joe

I never met the man, but am enjoying you guys talking about him.

 

This is sad news I remember Joe well at Veteran's Stadium , with a smile on his face & plenty of Old Ford parts to show & sell.
Another local legend gone .
RIP Joe Mac

 

RIP Joe Mac.

 

Oh, damn...

~Jason

 

prayers and condolences..He and Gene Scott were men ahead of their time collecting and selling.

 

RIP Joe Mac. Prayers for his family.


I think I'll join you on that trip around town homie.

 

RIP, the man contributed so much to keep the Fords alive, he will be greatly missed.

 

Sorry to hear that. I liked Joe. Wayno

 

I used to stop at the place on Willow to check out the bulletin board. Usually spent too much time jawing with Joe Mac and got into trouble for it. See ya at the top end, old friend...

 

Driving to work one day around 1970, I saw Joe driving his sport coupe. I flagged him down to admire his car, and he invited me to come by his house and see the rest of his stuff. I did; his collection included a '36 roadster and an L29 Cord, among many other things. Very hospitable in showing off his stuff.

Years later I saw him at the Long Beach swap meet. "Are you Joe Mac," I asked? "Used to be," he said. I asked if he still had his sport coupe (he did), and if he would ever consider selling it. "Get in line," he said. Neat guy. RIP, Joe.

 

Hey flyin-t! No, I didn't know Jim Eliot but "Kretch" knew him well.

Wolfie

 

god speed joe

 

Rip.

 

Our prayers for Joe and his family

 

A lesson for you "Young" guys, take a second and talk to the "Old" guys.... for soon they and all they have known and experienced will be gone.....best and positive thoughts to him and his family....

 

Jim,

Joe Mac was hero, I will do the same in my '40 Ford, a great way to pay tribute to one of the legends of hot-rodding!

 

I saw it on the H.A.M.B. yesterday just before I had breakfast with Jim Siegmund and George Butler an old time Bonneville racer and banger guru.So I let them know.Later we went to Ford Parts and Jim Gordon already heard the news.RIP from all of us.We're going to miss you.

 

that R&C article "All the way in a Model A" was and is one of my favorite R&C articles.
That guy knew how to enjoy himself. I still have that R&C, I'll have to dig it up and re-read that article for old times sake.
RIP Joe.

 

For anyone interested, there will be Memorial Services for Joe Mac on Sunday may 3rd at 10:00 AM at the Kenny Tucker Car Collection, 21808 Dolores St., Carson, California. Bring your old cars!

 

God Speed...
Ford Parts Obsolete represented Heaven to me when I was 14...on the east coast with about half of a junk deuce, no money, no knowledge, no skills, I read his catalogs till they disintegrated, learning and wishing. Occasionally my fortune would rise to 5 or 10 bucks, and I'd senditoff to FPO for a trinket and wait by the mailbox for weeks til it arrived...
I was just reading "All the Way in a Model A" a couple of days ago.

 

yeh, and when I was 19 and was able to drive up and park in front of FPO, then go inside the candy store! brand new duece fenders hangin' up, Joe Mac askin me if I would trade him my right hand tail lite on my duece outeside. 'almost Heaven' RIP Joe!

 

What a great guy, with a nice garage full of cars. I meet hin on my first visit to LA at a Forever Four Club meeting. He invited me over to see his cars, The Holland Chrome Chevy or GMC powered sprint car, a SOHC Fronty engine just sitting under a bench, '36 Ford Roadster that he had drived to Bonneville, and a few others that I can't remember. The view from his place overlooking the lights of LA at night, impressed me. That '31 Sport Coupe of his was my favorite. Rest in peace Joe, thanks for all you've done for the hobby. Bob

 

I will be there with a bunch of the other guys who loved Joe becasue he was a CAR GUY to the bone. Wish more would relize THIS is what it's all about. Thank you, Jim

 

Rip

 

The Inland Empire wont be the same without him. I wonder if anyone bought his 56 Victoria?
Shame on the girlfriend who took so many of Joe's belongings and sold them to Pawn shops.
R.I.P. Joe Mac

 

Dick RH Wilson the original owner of my 31 5W Coupe knew Joe Mac from working at George Sutton Ford in Inglewood. My Uncle Bill was RH's best friend and told me in april of 09' that RH worked with Joe at George Sutton Ford in the parts department, prior to him starting FPO. My Uncle Bill died december 24th.... My Coupe was purchased new in 31 from Sutton Ford in Inglewwood...by RH's parents..then given to him in 46' after returning from WWII....Joe Mac a HR legend....

 

Ford Parts Obsolete sponsored my dad, Clyde Mitchell in 1955 and 56 with the California Jalopy Association