One of my fondest memories of interaction at a car show is of a young boy, maybe 10 or 12, who came up to my car and was looking at the engine compartment. I thought that alone was really cool, but then he got this quizzical look on his face and asked."where's the carburetor?" That simple question told me so much about this boy's upbringing. we had a great 3 or 4 minutes of discussion that put a smile on my face.
Had something similar like that happen to me many, many years ago. Was working on my 40 chevy coupe in the garage and the next door young girl, about 15, came in and just scoured every inch of the car. I told her about it, sbc, 4 spd., etc and said i would take her for a ride when i finished. She was thrilled, had to go home first and tell her dad. Never came back. Fast forward about 25 yrs., same scenario except this time its a 55 chevy. Now this woman comes into the garage, I recognize her and we talk a while, she's now married and a successful professional business person, well off. She got serious and told me she loved my cars and wanted to learn how to fix them, drive them, etc. when she was a teenager but her dad just flat refused to let her have any part of it. Told me it was one of her biggest disappointments in life. I laughed it off, said she made the better choice, but she wasn't amused. After she left, I thought about that a long time-how something forced on someone stays with them for life. I guess we all have something like that.
I had a similar experience when my neighbor told me all about his hot rodded 37 Ford. I was hooked at that moment and have been ever since. I'll bet that young boy is bugging Dad to buy an old car. Hats off to you Joey for taking the time.
Last week we had a nice sunny day for once I took advantage and pulled the Roadster out for a run I stopped by a friends house to chat and as I shut it down a kid on a scooter swung by and said kool car man I said want to race? he said he only had a few house power He said he was 14 and probably shouldn’t I said no problem and that I needed to go get a hair cut He said don’t cut your hair man it looks kool then he peeled off his hat to reveal an authentic mullet made my day
Every time I walk by our 56 in the garage I touch it. I can’t help myself. I was happy when I bought it and happier now 12 years later. Saturday night I helped our son race his car at Perris Auto Speedway and at 79 it’s hard than 10 years ago but I still take tire pressures after each time he comes in a scraping mud is always done. I left my wallet in his truck and Sunday he came over to bring it back on the way to our Elks Lodge to watch the end of the NASCAR race. I didn’t hear him drive up but did hear the door of the 40 Chevrolet I bought when he was 6 as our first race car close. It was a pleasure to hear the GMC 6 going thru gears as he left and I’m glad I saved it for him. I always have time to talk with families who ask about any of our car no matter where I am especially kids. Many have sat in our roadster when it’s been out either on display or racing.
I met Darryl Starbird and his wife at the Rod and Custom show at the International Amphitheater in Chicago. He was showing the Predicta. When I first saw it I flipped out and didn’t want to look at anymore cars. I was 5 or 6 at the time. I wanted to know everything about it and how he did it. (My dad was bored silly) finally at the prodding of his wife he asked me if I wanted to sit in it. I almost cried! (Hey, I was young. Don’t laugh) He asked my dad dad said ok. He picked me up, mid flight I kicked off my shoes and sat me down in the seat. I don’t remember anything after that except sitting there in shock and taking it all in. In what seemed like the blink of an eye it was over. (Probably about 10-15 minutes) When he lifted me back out he thanked me for being such a respectful young man. He’s been a hero ever since. That day I also got to sit in the Redd Fox wrecker too! Between Larry Farris’ Temped Once, The Predicta and the Wrecker it’s easy to see why I’m the screwed up individual I am today!!!!
Anytime a kid shows interest in one of my hot rods I invite them to sit behind the wheel. Parents usually take a photo of their child in the car. I know what a car crazy kid I was. I would love that opportunity.
Last summer I was on the way to a local cruise night. I pulled into the and backed into a parking space. As I got out, I noticed a father and his young son standing in front of the car but a ways back. I said hello and they answered back. The dad said that they were heading out of town as I passed them while heading in. Apparently his son was captivated by my roadster and begged his dad to turn around so he could see the car. The dad asked if his son could sit in the car and I said of course he could. The boy was 4 or 5 years old and wide eyed. I had him sit in the car as his dad took a picture. He took a close up which didn't allow much of a view of the car. So, I recommended that he take another shot. I had the boy sit on the spreader bar. And put his hands on both headlights. There he was with the grill she'll as a backdrop and a smile 10 feet wide. It was very good to help a small boy enjoy a car that excited him as it passed. It also made me feel pretty good watching he and his dad having fun with my roadster. I felt (and still do) quite honored to be part of their adventure. Never pass up a chance to help what may turn out to be a hot rodder of the future!
@J.Ukrop “Those early memories—the old cars parked on the street, the cars in the hot rod magazines—everything was fresh and new and exciting.” “I hold those moments close to the heart, and I feel them whenever I’m driving my roadster or turning wrenches in my garage. Hot rodding is you. It’s me. It’s us. It’s deeply ingrained in every member of our community. I’m fortunate to have found hot rodding, and I couldn’t be happier to share it with folks for generations to come.” —Joey Ukrop Hello, That comment says the feeling I have had since I was a 9 year old kid tagging along with my brother and our dad to the local store to get some supplies. My brother already was involved in reading hot rod magazines of any kind. From those small size ones to the normal size colorful covers. In the beginning, the actual hot rods intrigued me as they did not look like our dad’s staid 4 door Buick sedans. To me, it did not matter, there was something about sitting behind the wheel thinking about being able to press the gas pedal to move forward, going someplace. It did not matter, the neighborhood store, friends houses across the boating channel in San Pedro and Terminal Island. Being on the road was a feeling that move across and under our eyes, while sitting. Our dad’s old giant Buick sedans gave us the “feeling.” Then as we got to be at that point of car -freedom, it was another whole ball game and we took to it like a fascinating adventure. Jnaki What can be said about that first hot rod? Now, the open road from going to the local speed shop, down the street, to the secluded Baja, Mexico surf spots were adventures to last for the week coming up for everyone in schools, Easter Vacation or “Spring Break.” It was the "feeling" that has stayed with us ever since. We are now beyond our teens and 20-30 something days, ha! We still get the feeling of seeing an old hot rod on the streets next to us gives us lasting memories and fun. It is part of what we were that makes it all worth while. Memories are facts from those old days and even though these days are fun, in looking back to those “old days” college adventures and up to today? Well, those were facts forever engrained into our collective minds. Sometimes, folks that never were in that time period with the same or similar thoughts and actions never got that feeling. To them, it was a necessity for jobs and family life. We enjoyed every minute of our adventures while being involved in the industry, racing, building and driving our old cars all over So Cal. The addition of the adventures into northern California and Baja Mexico, just increased our viewpoint and explorations to add to our long standing memories. Facts turn into memories… YRMV
Good share. As a 4-h club leader I have a couple of those type of experiences a year. That is why I stay in it, it pays back more than you put into it.
The Jalopy Journal
