They both have their driving license now and me and the grandson spend days driving these old cars. He has turned out to be a grandpa's dream come true for a car buddy and I actually call him buddy.
First photo is my son circa 1992. Second, is his first car. Third, his first project done completely on his own. Last is his latest. The coupe is his car, with him on the left and my buddy on the right, checking out the F.E.D.
Hello, Three kids, siblings playing on top of an old Hudson sedan in OKC back in 1951. A few months later, that family moved out West to Pacoima to pursue a better paying job for the dad. There, in the far inland community, an aerospace job was now the fast starting industry and jobs were plentiful. So, for the next two years of a contract, they lived in a small single story stucco house in very hot temperature wise, Pacoima. There, they were introduced to a couple of cool cars: A 37 Chevy coupe and a 51 two door Chevy sedan, + a 46 Buick convertible later on for the mom. Somehow, the black 51 Chevy ended up 5 years later in the final move to So Cal. Then as the contract was over, another aerospace job opened up closer to Manhattan Beach to the south. There they lived in another small stucco house and now had a 55 Chevy to play on and in. Jnaki The family seemed like a that new location was a permanent thing, so close to the ocean. But within three years, it was “on the road again…” Finally, in summer of 1955, the family took off on a road trip back to OKC. They lived and the dad worked until 1956. Then again, they did the long distance trek back out West to Orange County. This time, it was a permanent job for the dad, not a contract. They became So Cal locals and we are still here…although, now along the coastal areas, not inland. For my wife’s family, it was 1950s to the present time in So Cal. Off and on until their final family home in Buena Park, a stone’s throw away from Knott’s Berry Farm. The strange thing was my wife remembers learning to drive a stick shift black Chevy. But, there are no photos of that time period. So, somehow, perhaps, that 1951 Chevy from Pacoima, stayed with the grandparents until 1960, when she learned to shift. Did they get the hot rod influence or at least an interest in old cars? One sister did not. The younger brother eventually moved up to a non HAMB sedan with a huge engine and 4 speed for his vehicle until Uncle Sam called. My wife was the only one that started with a Corvair as her official first car and then, she met me in college. Photo taken by Vnak... Now, over the time period from 1966 to the present, she has been involved in all sorts of So Cal influenced hot rods, photography, writing, and our cadre of old cars. This time, it included spending so much time and miles in a red 1965 El Camino all over So Cal and into our long distance road trips to Northern California for vacations and photo shoots. She has learned all about old cars and can actually see one, identify it as an old car, then name the brand. Usually a Chevy or Ford, so that makes it simple. YRMV
And girls named Scott I noticed. Doing what you can with what you’ve got, seem like hot rodding to me.
My 16 year old son got his drivers license Thursday. Now he’s going all gangbusters getting his OT plow truck reliable. He’s doing the pitman arm R&R today. I hear “Dad they sold me the wrong one!” Welcome to my world for the last 45 years! He helps me wrench on the H.A.M.B. friendly cars all the time.
My grandson is so lucky for me having a few friends who will let him drive their cars and trucks. He's driven everything from 1932 Ford roadsters to new trucks and a lot of 40's, 50's, 70's, 90's, and all the new stuff. His latest drive, a 348 with two fours and a 4 speed.
The Jalopy Journal
