Folks Of Interest Pete Eastwood: Hot Rodding's “Unknown” Super Hero

Checkout Brad (@hotrod 49) King's interview of @Pete Eastwood:

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I really hope they don't ask him about cowl steering...

 

I wish I’d been around him to learn from when I was younger! Better than Superman!

 

With as many of Pete's builds that I have seen in the magazines and on the net and a few in person over the years I can pretty well believe that he is not one of the "Oh I gotta have that/those on my car" just be cause it is the hot lick at the moment thing guys. His builds are usually what others copy. Look at the cars he built or had a high influence in 40/50 years ago and they defy the age thing as they don't have fad of the moment stuff on them or Me too stuff. Just clean cars that hold the test of time no matter if they are a traditional build or a state of the street rod art build at the time.

 

Damn. Outstanding. Thank you Pete for spreading some SBC love - setting the record straight.
Thanks for sharing Todd!

 

HEMI32, thanks for posting this. For me, having exposure to P-wood's knowledge through reading his posts on this forum has been a valued privilege of being here. I have learned plenty from him and it's nice being able to "meet" the live persona at last.

 

I wish I had a third of his knowledge, talent, and a fourth of his apparent energy. Very cool interview. Known of him for a very long time, just didn’t realize how into EVERYTHING automotive he was and is.

 

Pete, he's not only done it all, he's done it all really well!
Great interview.

Mick

 

Thanks @HEMI32 for posting @hotrod 49 's wonderful interview with Pete. I met Pete at Fremont in '86, when were having the time of our lives racing real 60's era dragsters, and became friends. Besides his amazing talent, and knowledge of a variety of race cars, and through hard work and dedication, he has lived the dream. We both showed up with 3 different race cars in three years at Baylands Raceway in the 80's. I asked him, "how come you and a I were the only one's with a different car every Spring". His reply was "I guess we wanted to kiss all the girls" ! Great guy, good friend.

 

The Pete Eastwood Story (in link below).

I'm betting Pete has had his hands on most everything mechanical.

T's to Top Fuel.




https://www.motortrend.com/news/0903rc-pete-eastwood-blairs-speed-shop/

 

Like a few other innovators in our world, I believe he has a little bit of oil in his blood. Many may not like/agree with his opinions, but they will always listen (and maybe, learn). Thanks!!

 

It is like Pete Eastwood's comments about cowl steering. He doesn't recommend it and he explains why. Pete has walked the walk, and has done the talk. It is our choice whether to listen or not. I would rather to listen to someone like Pete who knows of what he says, than listen to some BS artist.

 

The man.

 

Anyone catch that Brad was wearing one of Chip Quinn's Hot Rod Central Louver Company t-shirts?

 

Thanks Brad and hemi32 for sharing Pete’s story.
A very blest and talented man.
Being buried in the Middle East.. I never knew his back story.

 

That was interesting….

 

This was WONDERFUL!!!! Great memories of the days in California. Thanks, Pete, old friend. - Guy Z.

 

I called the “ Man “ 30 years ago asking for info on building my 3 window . He stopped what he was doing and answered every question for me . This truly an outstanding person and true Hot Rodder to do this for someone 2000 miles away .

Thank you again , you are the “ Man “ , Mr . Eastwood

 

That video was worth the time to watch, thanks for sharing, it seems like yesterday the Eastwood Barakat Deuce sedan was on the cover of Hot Rod.

 

Talk about a real hot rodder he should be at the top of anyone's list !!!

 

He is DEFINITELY not a fan of cowl steering !

 

Very nice, Thanks for posting.
The Gentleman has an enviable list of friends and a memory that serves him well. Our hobby is made better by these treasures…

 

I really enjoyed that. Thanks to all......

 

Superb interview! I've known of him since he was lil Pete, doing the ch***is work at Pete and Jakes on Las Tunas before it got sold. Real world stand up guy that is an absolute master of his trade. I asked Peter to do the ch***is on my roadster many years ago and he said, "sorry, I've retired" because he went to work at the Peterson. That was very short lived, but he recommended "only one guy" to do the work. That was Derek Bower. Derek did a wonderful job for me and 19 years later it is still solid. When we were talking about Peter, Derek remarked that it had become hard to keep Peter as a hero now that they were close friends. In fact, the last bit of the film shows a dragster being cackled and the guy operating the starter and hovering over the car is in fact Derek.

 

That was a Great interview! I think I was reading about his Dad and Uncle and Stevens-Duryeas before Pete was making a name for himself. Wonder what the total count is of cars he's worked on or built/restored? Hope The RAJO powered T is progressing closer to the starting line of a Vintage event.
Bob

 

Very cool

 

You are so correct about Derek, Pete and Derek work together like a well oiled machine, talent overload !

 

Brad King does and outstanding job with his interviews! P-Wood is the real deal, just like the Guys he hung out with (Pete & Jake), they road tested their own hot rods / parts and drove them all over this country!
Jim aka Sanford& Son
https://famosodragstrip.com/swap-o-rama/