Mr. Ganahl is a great guy, and pretty much the best writer in the game when it comes to hot rods. His stuff is always a pleasure to read. His Hot Rod Video was a great idea, and ahead of its time. That's the first place I ever saw the Mox Miller '58 Chevy. I keep telling Evel he should work out a deal to get that Hot Rod Video out on DVD, and more importantly, get Ganahl to make a sequel!
I have said many times that I would like to see a monthly publication about cars that Pat had 100% control of the content. Whether it was customs, rods, the past present or future of the automobile I know I wouldn't be able to put it down until I had read it cover to cover. Frank
I'm not a writer like Theo, so I don't know what I'm talking about, but Pat's writing is just, Like Coop said, "A pleasure to read." There's just something magnetic about it that involves you, hard to put your finger on. My fave though.
I'm happy to... but I can't fit my arm through this laptop screen. I'll probably be wandering around at the primer nationals, though.
Agree with all said - he's right up there with yer old Dad, Baskerville... When I went to Art Center in 1990 to struggle and build a portfolio for entrance to the full program I really wanted to meet him as I was in the Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena area the whole time - never got a chance and really wish I had... One of my favorite "series" of articles was in Hot Rod when he resurrected that old Altered and his alter ego became Floyd Lippencott III - too cool! I too read the "new" R&C with Pat playin' all the parts and also kinda lost interest when he bowed out. The book just changed and IMO, not in a good way. His influence is much of the reason I like the bucks down approach to rod building. Steve
Spoke with him a few times ... seems like a decent guy. Writes with a " feel and a insight " for the subject. .
Let me add myself to the list of people who are inspired and impressed by Pat's writings.. I knew I wasn't the only one who considered him a hero... -Juan
My grandmother always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." With that in mind...
I've never posted here before, but someone forwarded me this thread and I felt inclined to say thanks to all the folks who support my dad's career. Obviously, I respect him for many reasons other than just his contribution to hotrodding and custom car building, but it's really cool to know he's appreciated for his work. Honestly, I'm surprised there weren't more negative comments: my dad tells it like he sees it, and it ain't always the way other people see it, but that's what makes him a good journalist. Did anyone see his Jimmy powered Iacono digger at Pleasanton? He can build 'em too . . . ! Bill And he doesn't need to peek through any fences--he's tall enough to step right over em
Judging by the pic of him by the yellow Ford, he looks to be about seven feet tall! His writing style is second to none, always a pleasure to read.
The father and son piece he did in The Rodders Journal was great and illustrated what a great family man he is.
his son is proud of him and felt so strongly about it he wrote about it on a forum for god and everybody to read? if he never writes another word, his life is fullfield(sp) and he is a very rich man. i can only hope one of my sons feels that strongly about me some day. that about the coolest thing i've seen/heard in a long time!jmho
I'm moving to a new house--and going thru a couple of boxes--and right on top is the R&C with his plumber editorial! And yea--it's very true--I'll scan it if anybody wants to read it.
I've been reading Pat's editorials for years and finally met him at a Paso show years ago, such a neat guy, and gave me props for my Merc, which was huge for me, Thanks Pat! Max.
Pat Ganahl is quite simply the best writer we have. His photograpgy ain't bad, neither. TRJ really lost something when he left. If it wasn't for Ganahl we wouldn't have R&C. I remember some of his editorials too, like the one about building a fanticy engine in his bedroom when he was a kid. Read his book on custom cars. You will learn something about the cars, society and the people behind the cars. Good stuff.
Go here for the first part of an interview I did with him http://www.theworldmotorreview.blogspot.com Can't till he gets back with the second part!
I forwarded a link to Pat and he wrote back with a few things he wanted everyone to know... I think if I just paste his response here, you'll get the true feeling of how much he appreciates the comments. And like most guys here... yea, I agree... Pat has done a lot of great things to promote our hobby, in addition, it's fun to read what he writes because he makes you feel like you're part of a conversation... rather than a lecture. Add to that he has skills and an eye for building hot rods... and well, you can see why he is who he is... Here you go: Hey Sam, Thanks very much for the link to the HAMB. Someone Anna works with is a HAMBer and sent it to me, too. These guys have really knocked my socks off! If you're not too busy with school starting and all, could you figure out how to tell them how much I appreciated reading all this? I tried signing up for the HAMB a while ago, but for some reason it didn't work. And I'm not sure I'd figure out where to go once I got on, anyway. Basically I'd like to tell them: 1) I'm amazed how much stuff they remember 2) I'm a little surprised that people noticed what I was doing over the years 3) And I'm mostly really impressed that people actually appreciated it That makes all those long hours for low pay really worth it. Hopefully there will be plenty more to come! Glad to see you and the "Bomb Squad" at Pleasanton. I dig your'55. I want one, too! Thanks, Sam Sincerely, Pat G. Here's a shot of his digger...
Mr Ganahl is my alltime favorite hot rod writer. The only thing I asked my wife to get me for christmas is his new " Lost Hot Rods 2" book. One of my most liked columns of his was when he first got the orange `34 Chevy cpe ,with the Olds in it. Always a great read; thanks Pat.
Thanks, Pat! For many enjoyable years of journalistic excellence. Yours were always the first read, and re-read articles. One of my biggest thrills was his snapping a pic of my old heap in primer.
I saw Pat walking around at a midwestern event back in the late 80s-early 90s and I'll never forget it...guys were coming up to him, wanting him to photograph their cars for magazine coverage. One guy dragged him a few cars down the row and showed Pat a white 60 caddy 4 door sedan...stock as a rock. I was behind Pat and just had to take a few photos of him explaining to the guy his car wasn't going to be cover material for the next magazine. His hands are out in front of him, palms up trying to soothe this guy....wish I still had a scanner to show these photos... Another time: It was winter time here in the Omaha area. A time most guys put their hotrods away for the winter and drive a late model winter beater in the salt. Well, for some reason about 6 or 8 guys decided to drive their hotrods/customs through the winter months and I'd see them out on the streets, in parking lots, driving through the snow. I thought it'd make a helluva magazine feature and called Pat up to discuss it with him.. "Hell yeah, get some snow photos and names and pertinent info and send it,,,we'll run it" he says. "but I'll bet it never arrives" he added. That was all I needed. It was a challenge now. Pat didn't think I'd follow through [he said 90 percent of calls like this ended up as dead ends] so I was totally determined. The 34 Hupp coupe disappeared and was never seen in this area again. The lavender 49 Merc was taken off the road as was his son's chopped 52 ford. Both 57 chevies and even Jamie's 28 Dodge coupe were put away 'till spring. All the winter-driven customs and hotrods went away and I had no story! Pat was right...nothin to submit for magazine coverage and I felt pretty small..such is life, eh?
Hell I'm funnier than he is. I just wanted to say thaty. I am not sure if I have ever met him but I have read a lot of what he has written and he does deserve his props. he knows his stuff and that is a fact.
Sometimes a man of few words. I'm sure he gets pinned down a lot. He p***ed my roadster at LARS a couple of years ago. The first time there with the Cad. engine in it. He looked at me and said "Didn't this used to have a Mustang engine in it." When I responded yes he said "I approve" then walked on. That comment wasn't the best compliment though. The best part was that he recognized my roadster. Gary
The Jalopy Journal
