Dad and I had lunch with Tom quite a few times, back in the 80's not long after he lost his wife. They had been married since they were young, and I was very impressed with Tom's at***ude. He missed the love of his life, but didn't let it get him down. This is a terrible tragdey, but the Tom I know will deal with it just fine.
I hope I am able to work on my hotrod when I am 91. Someone said the '40 was a total loss, I dont see how that is true. It will come alive again I promise you. Insurance company needs to step up. Good to hear Tom was ok.
REALLY sad news....damn....glad he is OK and hope this doesn't weaken his will....great guy and great history!
we have enjoyed tom's cartoons as long as we can remember. glad he is not hurt. sorry about his hurt 40. forties limited
Just spoke with Gary, Tom's son, they are trying to get power back into the house. The fire knocked out power to the house because the panel was by the corner of the garage. Tom is fine and I am sure sad about the 40 but as those who know him will attest, he has a terrific at***ude. I will talk to him tomorrow to learn more.
Such bad news but at least wasn't injured. The Rod & Custom annuals from the late 70's early 80's had the build of many parts his 40 (I ***ume it is the same one).
It really is tough luck that this happened to his shop and car and everything,but how cool is it that he's 91 and still hot rodding? What a bad ***. I bet once he gets his place fixed up,he'll rebuild the coupe. Like everyone else said,I sure am glad he wasn't hurt. Good luck to Tom on overcoming this set back.
What a sad result, Medley built it in his backyard. Insurance can buy another, but it can't replace the one he built himself. Those in the know please keep us updated.
Man that's sad. Im sure the coupe can be rebuilt but think of all the rare treasures that he probably had up on the shelves. Glad he's ok.
Tom Medley......aka "STROKER McGURK"so sorry to hear about the fire, hope your able to rebuild the 40, it's been with you a very long time.
BUMMER TOM!!!!!!---Just heard the bad news about your '40 coupe!---Very glad you are ok!---'40 can be resurected, but not you!! Best of luck-----Don & Bev Thomas
I feel terrible to look at those pictures. Poor guy preobably lost a lot more than that car. I'm sure like most of us the garage was full of stuff and in his case probably irreplaceable artifacts.
This would have, could have been a terrible way to find out we'd lost a true friend of the hobby. While I'm sorry for Tom's tragic loss of property, I am grateful he is able to soldier on for a while longer. 91, what a mile stone. Thanks for the beautiful cartoon, the laughs and the inspiration Tom, you are one of my heros!
WOW , this is so sad , I've bin readin' Tom's stuff since I was a kid , and I'm an old guy....... so glad he's OK Steve in Oz
A little Medley family humor- when I was talking with son Gary Thursday night about the accdent, he said "father always wanted a Forty with flames".
im glad he is ok.. as a kid my brother and I serviced a fire.. was close.. fire fighters had to bust into the apartment and fight flames to get us.. fire is one of them kick *** displays of power.. which demands respect you let your guard down for a second and you are burnt.. drowning and being burnt alive my greatest fears of how i would not want to go out. heh. at any rate hope his friends are young enough to help him out on his next build be very sad if he did not build another one.. hell the guy maybe in better shape than my crippled *** and will be running loops around the young lads, dunno. chris,
Good news is that he walked out of that fire ok, and at 91 that is very impressive. That is one car I'd love to see featured on "Overhauling".
Wow, glad to see Tom made it out of there w/o being burned-or worse! If the car's body can't be salvaged, the ch***is may be a prime candidate for a Bob Drake coupe body! No time to waste friends; he's 91, lets get him rolling again!!!
What a terrible thing to happen to anyone, but then it happened to one we all love and respect and it's even sadder. Mike
The Jalopy Journal
