Made the 300 mile journey down to Pete & Jake's to to deliver the French FH block I just sold and some chassis parts for a project. First thing I see is this little head peeking at me out the window of Jake's yellow coupe, Jason's grandson. Jason says it's his favorite car because the horn honks. That's 4 generations there today. Jerry answering the phones, Jason helping customers, Colton packing parts for shipping. 4 generations insuring the continuation of the P&J legacy. Doesn't look like there's any opening for a buyout by HOLLEY.
We had a very hospitable visit with our large TX hot rod caravan heading to BTTF. Showed us all around the shop , very happy to talk and talk, even supplied cool drinks and nibbles. Jerry Slover was fantastic to talk with. absolutely top shelf folks. Of course we all bought a bunch of souvenirs and left , fed ,watered and very happy, dreaming of all the super cool stuff in their shop and what we could build with it.
Jerry has a good sense of humor. I recently sent a friend to their shop to order some parts. It was his first time there and so he went in and introduced himself to Jerry and said I sent him. Jerry's first words to him were: " Is Larry out of prison yet?" Kind of took my friend by surprise but realized the joke and they had a laugh.
On a tight schedule I reluctantly by-passed Pete/Jakes yesterday & the week prior which I always take time for to at least say hello, & as mentioned great people that will pick up the phone & assist with an uncommon piece or part or get a question answered.
Gary, Jerry and Jason are the best!! I have known them for what seems like forever. And yep they will continue to be a family owned business. Anyone who knows Jerry and Jason knows they are both hot rod guys to the bone! If it hadn't been for Jerry stepping up and buying Pete and Jakes when he did I doubt there would be a Pete & Jakes today. As far as Holley goes I have nothing real good to say about them these days as I think what they have done has put a real hurt on the Hot rod world. They bought out a bunch of companys and then discontinued alot of the really good parts. That is a real problem and a shitty way of doing business in my opinion. I realize this don't effect guys tuning with laptops and doing LS swaps. But if you want a 671 B&M or Weiand supercharger or some Vintage looking ET's or Rocket style wheels we are shit out of luck! this is the problem when pencil pushers are in charge instead of hot rod guys. Just my 2 cents anyhow.
Doris, Pete’s mother. The car was built as a gift for his father. I remember seeing it in 1976 at the original P&J’s , it was up on a four post lift, just a roller with the fiberglass body mounted.
Rocky, Jerry's eyesight is no better. Just able to make out shapes and such. He told me years ago the right surgeon could have corrected the problem but too late after the initial surgery.
I agree with you on all of this except ET wheels. Fortunately Holley hasn't got their mits on it. Scott Russell and his wife own it. https://www.etmags.com
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