Hot Rods Quotes to live by...

"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it isn’t open." - Frank Zappa

 

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”


Hello,

Anticipation is starting to build in almost every household. As the Christmas season begins in late October according to the retail stores, we all start getting inundated with advertising on everything. From print media to politically correct, Reddi Wip Original Whipped Topping, it is leading to the season to be jolly.

In thinking back to our old Craftsman House in the Westside of Long Beach, it was a cool, first, real house that our dad could afford. So, we had fun living in a house with a white picket fence and a huge yard. It backed up to a huge field that was on the edge of the Terminal Island Freeway. Within several years, in 1955, Lion’s Dragstrip was built down the corner of our block, under the railroad tracks and overp*** bridge.

In reading all of the comic books and magazines, everyone knew that Santa Claus went to everyone’s house through the chimney smokestack. Well, our house only had a wall/floor heater and no fireplace. So, how the heck was the big old guy going to get into our house to deliver my presents?

My mom has repeated this story many times at family gatherings and everyone always looked at me and had a huge laugh… Well, I had a question that led to some dreams and anticipation of the big event.

Jnaki

2335 Webster Ave Westside of Long Beach
So, how did I solve the mystery and face reality? Somehow, my mom had found me sound asleep, curled up into a little ball in the living room, in front of an open front door to our house. I had opened the door to let the big guy into our house to deliver presents. Ha! My dad picked me up and took me back to our bedroom. I was none the wiser and to this day, dreams did come true with some quick thinking by a little rascal.

Our house was filled with plenty of presents by the time I woke up on Christmas Day. Yes! I was a good little kid on those two days. Or... they felt sorry for me and my predicament !!!

 

That's gonna leave a mark! Chris Farley, SNL skits...

 

Dying is easy, it's living that's hard.
Black Sabbath,
13 Album,
Damaged Soul

 

Life is like a box of chocolates..............you never know what you're going to get!

 

“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his WIFE, not his FRIENDS.”


Sunset at the beach VNak photo

Hello,

When I met my wife in college, she looked like a person who was always at the beach, wallowing around in the water and drying off on the sand. But, we can all dream. Then over the semester of dreaming, when we actually, did meet and talked for a while. It all came together for the both of us. There were still things we did not pursue, like camping , traveling together, or overnights at various surf spots, but that hopefully, was to come later.

Then as we progressed to the next level, we traveled all over So Cal, up the California coast, into Baja, Mexico, and finally after several years, we decided to get married. What popped up to solidify my choice of a lifetime mate was that she had a great eye for beauty. When I gave her my 35mm film camera, she took some outstanding photos. Now, that was definitely a road to a “keeper for life.” Ha! One day in the above photo, I was standing on the top of the berm looking out at the falling sunset.

Secretly, she took out the camera and shot several shots to record the whole scene. I had no idea until a surprise film developing in the film bag/stainless steel cans led to an astonishing find. Instantly, I went to the darkroom set up and printed out some shots at varying levels of exposure.

Jnaki

From the early days, I have always accepted the fact that she was one of a kind. For all that matters, she took front and center in our lives. We even decided together to get a hot rod project to be a part of our togetherness and show the world, we mean business.

When the hot rod project was in the safe driving mode after many months of repair and modifications, she was always first to get to drive it away to her choice of destinations. Life choices for both of us, her choice then mine. Car choice in the future days, her choice from a list of my choices. Friends come and go throughout our lives... A wife is forever.

We were from different backgrounds, (she OKC, but grew up in So Cal, me lifetime So Cal) but one common goal, work together while getting along in society. In our old, school report cards, there was always a comment, "plays well with others"...HA!

Dedication pays off in the long run…and what a long run it has been. YRMV

 

Murphy's law #13

If it jams, force it, if it breaks, it needed to be replaced any way.

 

First corollary to Murphy's Law, "Murphy was an optimist."

 

"Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers

 

If the "King of Beers" is Bud, is the "Queen of beers" Busch?

 

"I'll Paint ANY Car For $29.95"
Earl Scheib
"The Difference Between Stupidity & Genius Is Genius Has It's Limits"
Albert Einstein
"Every Home Deserves A Dog & Every Dog Deserves A Home!"

 

What’s the secret of success? Right decisions. How do you make right decisions? Experience. How do you get experience? Wrong decisions.
John Wayne

 

In hot rodding it's a little different,
"I'll keep fixing it until I'm broke"..........

 

“Life is about three words: : It goes on.”



Hello,

When I saw the flames coming out from under our 1940 Willys Coupe on that late night elimination run for he final trophy in C/Gas, we all thought the worst. My brother had gotten better all day in each of the previous C/Gas cl*** races. He was quicker and we were talking about it at dinner in the pits.

We knew the opponent was a good racer, with tons of experience and a fast car. With our performances all day, we knew the final opponent was worried, too. But, we knew if my brother got out in front at the start, there was nothing that the oppononent’s Chevy C/Gas sedan could do to catch up.

With all of the excitement of staging and getting ready, it was one thing to be happy that our Willys Coupe was out in front, but the start was so lopsided that my brother was at least a car + half lead at the light. By the time most acknowledge that, he was now two cars ahead past the Orange Lions Timing Tower.

a modified 348 to 409 Chevy with some added weight made a C/Gas racer.

Atts Ono and I were standing in front of our 58 Impala with giant smiles on our faces as we continued to see the Willys Coupe shift and keep pulling away. We were all happy about the fact that we were going to win the cl*** elimination race and get a cool trophy. Everything we all had done to make the 671 SBC motor run well was paying off.


Then we saw the flames shoot out of the windows and below the Willys Coupe. It was near the finish line. Now, we saw more flames coming out and a huge flame shooting out of the driver’s side. Then the Willys Coupe turned right and went into the chain link fence. It was a ball of fire and we both jumped into the Impala and took off for the wreck.

Jnaki

With all of the action going on, we were both confused and a little crazy with adrenaline. By the time several minutes of fire extinguishers usage, my brother had already been loaded onto the white Pontiac ambulance.

The whole world collapsed as a result of this one time accident. You can read about it in various threads, but as tragic as my brother was that night in the hospital, he still had the inkling that we would continue our drag racing action and chosen direction. “How is the Willys?” were the first words out of his mouth when I saw him in the emergency ICU department.

After a very long time recovering, we both felt it was time to talk and we both came to the conclusion that… “Life goes on…”

We adapted to the changes and our lives moved on with grace and familiarity... It does go on and on...etc.

 

Inflating another mans ego for approval is the pinnacle of stupidity.
Steve McQueen

I see this on many forums & I always wonder if the person who does this realizes how easily the rest of us see why he is doing it!

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/

 

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”


Hello,

My wife has stood the test of time and me, since being 21 years old. Yes, old enough to drink legally and still together all of these years. We have adapted well to the ups and downs in our lives, but think back to when our parents and many parents said to their kids… “be an individual and do what your want with your lives.”

We enjoyed being together. That was the whole scene. It did not matter if we both had a ton of friends and relatives locally in So Cal, we just wanted to be together. So, we did our best to be together in our little enclave of an apartment and let the tumultuous 1968 world go by us.

We also were the only people from our hot rod days that participated in building/rebuilding our 327 powered 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery. It was for us, but some of our friends were heading in a different direction with the social pressures and all. We liked the low key beach lifestyle and continue to this day.

One good thing is that she gives me 100% total selection on any cars, old or new. We would like an old hot rod to cruise around, but practicality plays a big part of our lives. Simplicity is the easiest way for us to relax and enjoy life. I take into account what she would like, shove a few similar samples toward her and together we make a decision. In our 20 something days, we both liked this yellow 46 woody with a SBC motor. It was priced right, but the guy selling says he would hold it for us and when we arrived after a hour + drive, he treated us like we were an invading force from Mars. What a ^%$$$

Sure we cared about our families and friends, but they too were trying to find their ways in the world. Some of them did not agree with our way of living and enjoying each other. The stuff we now had as daily lives were certainly a lot different than all of the friends and families we knew.

So, what was it?

Jnaki

She and I both knew the faults, if there were any, in both of us. They popped up now and then, but rarely. So, the back of our minds, it had to be because we presented a united front in our own ideas, ways to live and how to adapt to the outside world that was making some folks mad.

The whole world was going a little crazy, but, together we had a plan to “change with the times” or “go with the flow” or something to that effect. Some of our old friends from high school just did not get it in this hectic world and ***ociations waned. But for us, she knew me well and I knew her just as well, so together, we made an excellent team to counter the ups and downs in our lives. It has been that way since 1966, in a college cl***, with a sparkle in our eyes… YRMV

So, would she like this RPU sitting in our small two car garage? (Only if she did not have to get rid of her 300 hp station wagon with A/C…) She would put her trust in me and my selection. But, she would like it and ride around in it on warm, low key days without any intrusions, like fog, rain, snow, or wind… a short ride to the beach would be perfect… if only…

 

Jnaki, you are a lucky man! 56 years with your lady and still , she supports your hobby, her hobby! Some are not that lucky!






Bones

 

I don't want to derail this excellent thread, but:

My first wife (28 years) has never been to a car show in her life and only rode on my motorcycle once.

My current wife (18 years) I met at the NSRA nats, loves Clarence, and loves being on the back of my H-D.

I did better the second time around.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

 

Hey B,

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I am a lucky guy. When I met her in college, she was the one. It was a no brainer. Girls come and go, but for some reason, well actually, many reasons it was going to be forever. I kept telling myself that not to screw this relationship up and compromises are necessary for great times together.

We came from different backgrounds. She from OKC and me being a So Cal local since 1946. But, we did have things in common... our families both lived in trailers in the very early days. She was two and that history is now closed as the memory banks are now gone. Our trailer life was from age 2 to 4.

There were similarities in our lives, but both left the families to fend for themselves while we got our own act together. She is/was a top notch student in high school and college. I was a so so high school student barely making it until graduation. There were just too many things to do and adventures to accept. But, guess who straightened me out for the last two years of college? Yup... now it was important to do things the right way for us.

Jnaki

We have been all over the So Cal landscape and the Westcoast of the USA/Canada/Mexico in our years together. Now, it is pleasant to just sit back and watch our enjoyment of how it all came to be through photos, stories and tons of hours of family stories that pop up now and again.

Yes, it has been great way to live. We are enjoying the fruits of our adventures and experiences throughout our long lives. I would not change a thing... even during our hectic no money days and family lives. YRMV

 

We’ll, Jnaki, my story is somewhat similar! I had no problem in school with books, it was easy for me, maybe too easy! But when I was about 14 I discovered cold beer! It went down hill from there, lol! I became a hoodlum , according to all the local folks! Apparently, I like to drink a little beer, race cars and saddle up close to the fair ***! Unbelievable!
Most families would not let me date their daughters….with good reason!
But in the Fall of 71, I started dating my future wife, she was attending OU. After a while we married and went through all the **** a married couple does! Mostly my fault! But we survived! In 2007 , I lost her, suddenly!
That is why I say you are lucky!







Bones

 

I, like JNAKI, have been married for 56 years. Being a red head she kept me on my toes. She probably doesn’t like everything about cars but has never said “no” but I didn’t ask much. When I started racing at El Mirage and Bonneville she was my pit crew pushing me off and coming to get me until our son started driving. I’ve posted photos of her here s****ing mud off our sons 1/2 mile dirt car at Perris Speedway. She bought him the rolling ch***is so he could do better and has.
Even tho my racing has been slowed way down we still can cruise in our 56 on the weekends. At 78 our jobs are to take of each other. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes she rode on the back of my Harley too.

 

Outstanding!





Bones

 

Simple one from my Dad: "If you take the time to do a job, take the time to do it right !" & a funny one if I was going at a seemingly simple task in my typical ham fisted manor he'd say "Like a monkey ****ing a football" just to bust my balls. He was great at wrenching & teaching me too. I sure miss him, this thing we do just aint the same anymore..

 

If you haven't got the time to do the job right, where will you to find the time to do it over.

 

From my mom when I got married. Take care of each other because right now that's all you've got. Most of the time it seems I'm playing catch up. We've made 53 years, a few times because neither one of us would be the first one to quit.

 

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”
― Mark Twain



Hello,

It was several years after we got married that our minimal lifestyle began to take shape. We did not have a bunch of stuff in the first place, just the necessities. A powerful stereo, expensive LP record player, huge 15 inch b*** speakers and a metal horn tweeter filled the bill for starters. A salvaged big freighter ship hatch covers refurbished with surfboard resin and gl*** for our living room furniture.

After a hard day’s wave riding experience, the best place when cleaned up and nourished was our bed. But, it led to not being able to sleep later at night with such a comfortable experience during the day. So, my wife and I decided to make our own sofa with cool 60s material and a ton of foam from the local factory dealer. They were very large and took the place of our non existent sofa, which we could not get anyway, the stairs leading up to the apartment precluded any sofa of any size.

Those home made giant pillows were interesting to say the least. It was such a comfortable place for reading, writing or just relaxing, looking out at the weather outside. It is/was a great location in our tiny apartment.

Jnaki

We have spent many years together celebrating the New Year listening to some great music, relaxing as much as we could curled up on the giant pillows, a book for the times we were not listening to the music to bring in the New Year.

It was in contrast to our first time married New Year’s Eve foray into the local party scene with our friends. It was a little overboard and my wife and I walked several miles to find an open restaurant to get some different liquids to calm down and relax, before heading back home. From that experience, our New Year’s Celebration was being together. So, 57 years later, we are still together, still working together to make our lives a little better for the long run… YRMV

 

No matter how many chairs you have in your house you only have one *** to sit in them.

 

Jim

 

"Your word is your bond, and you do what you say and keep your promise. "
Melania Trump


I like this one very much, because I spent my 40+ year career living by this ideal. Regardless of whether or not it was convenient for me or made me the most possible money!

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/

 

In my younger days when I was just starting out building race cars and hotrods my buddy gave me this backhanded compliment, "Much as you **** up, you're bound to get it right sooner or later." And I've been proving him right ever since...