I've known **** DeMars for half my life now, which isn't saying much because I'm 30. But when I was in my formative years of hot rodding in the small town of Fergus Falls, Minnesota I had a thirst for knowledge regarding the Flathead Ford V8, and subsequently I was introduced to Mr. DeMars. He taught me everything I know about Flatheads. He built the engine in my '40 sedan,you and the red engine pictured was one of his last builds, which I have installed in my F-1 Panel truck. This summer I was fortunate enough to buy his collection of engines and early Ford parts. As I dug through my new inventory, I learned more about the man I have long admired. He was a radial engine mechanic in the USAF in Korea, spending most of his time maintaining a fleet of B-36 Peacemakers. After his time serving the country, he was married and took his skills to the airlines, where he did maintenance. In the late '50's and early '60's, he moved his family to Denver and got into '34 Fords, owning a bunch of coupes, sedans, and vickys, some of which were sold to Mike Blanchard in Denver, which of course were eventually purchased by Mike DeVriendt, who I had worked for when I first moved to Colorado four years ago. In the 1970's **** was involved in air racing, and was chief mechanic on a FG-1 Super Corsair, aptly named "Big Hummer" at Reno and the Cleveland air races. In the 80's he'd run a T-6 Texan named "Nuthin' Fancy" at Reno. (Mr. DeMars is holding the flag) I've since dubbed my '40 "Nuthin' Fancy" in honor of Mr. DeMars. His son, Joe, was bitten by the Flathead V8 bug and by the early '70's it was all planes and early Fords for the both of them. Joe was a very good mechanic and a sharp kid when it came to early Ford V-8 restoration. Unfortunately, he p***ed away as the result of an airplane accident in his 20's. Fast forward to the early 2000's when a kid named Joel knocked on the door of his log cabin in the lake country of Minnesota. We hit it off immediately. He showed me the differences between the early and late Flathead V-8, and I'd peruse his modest collection of speed parts and shelves upon shelves of engine parts. I worked for him a couple of summers in college, and always called him with questions or stopped in to say hello when I had the chance. This summer it was time for him to sell, and I was ready (despite the 1,000 miles between us, as I now live in Colorado) to take on the monumental task of cleaning up and organizing his parts, and palletizing and crating them up for the trip back to Colorado. The stash included over 20 engines and blocks, cranks, rods, etc.. to the ceiling! I was fortunate enough to make a deal on his tools as well, which for me was was like getting my grandfather's tools. I hope to someday p*** them on to another kid who has an interest in old Fords. There is more to the story, of course, but the moral of this one is that one of my best friends in life is 52 years older than I am, and fate and the love for Flatheads brought us together, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I appreciate the fact that he was willing to sell his collection while he and I could still talk about what was there and what certain parts were for, and which parts went with which block etc. This decision was invaluable to me as the caretaker of his collection for the future!
How lucky you both were to get to know one another. His luck was having a young man with the same interest to share. And you to have a first cl*** mentor. Warms my heart. Thanks for sharing.
Good for you, and thanks for honoring him here on the HAMB! Someday you'll be the one p***ing all that good info you know on......
Great read. As you are now the custodian of those parts I know they are in good hands and will be well looked after into the future. I knew of a similar older gentleman known to a few restorer / hot rod friends and after his p***ing the family threw the majority of his collection out as rubbish, bar the cars which they quickly sold. All that history gone in their quest to quickly settle the estate.
Thank you Mike I'm eternally grateful for the knowledge he shared and the patience he had with me. Time is a funny thing, it's on your side for a long time, but it'll sneak up on you. Thank you, I had to share! Thank you! I try and p*** on some of my knowledge now! Thanks Bill! It means a lot coming from you! I realize that I am. I definitely do not take it for granted, it means a lot to me. Thanks! Thank you! As I said in the post, I am very grateful that he decided to p*** it on while he is still living, it means a lot to me and he can SEE it going to a good home, and know that the parts he spent so much time collecting will be put to good use. A lesson can be learned here.
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