For I guess 3 or 4 years there has been a 55 hardtop up the block and just around the corner from me. I see him sometimes and we both wave, or sometimes p*** each other going the other way and goose the throttle a bit and smile. Tonight we wound up at the stop sign at the same time and he pulled into his drive way so I just whipped in behind him. We shook hands and talked about each others cars, and how we had lived so close and had always meant to stop, just never had. I introduced myself as Terry and he said his name was Buddy. A gentle man in his (guessing) late 70s talking to him was a pleasure. After a while I said I guess we'd go and hope to talk again, and he asked if I had a minute he'd show me his other car. Into his shop we went and when the lights came on, there setting before us was a slammed, tubbed, and black 54 Studey. Full roll cage, small block with 1050 Dominator, with 8:36 in old shoe polish on the side window. I drooled and he grinned. Slowly I started looking around the shop, and noticed blowers, slicks, headers, carbs, etc. etc. filling the walls and shelves. Then I noticed the name on the car. Buddy Bradshaw! Holy ****, THE Buddy Bradshaw? I know this most likely means more to us Texas boys, but he is a BIG part of our past around here. I had never met him, but knew the name well. After all the snooping in the shop, he took me into the house and the den was filled with posters, tropheys, banners, and other great stuff. A old picture of him and Gartlis setting on the Swamp Rat II. Him and Jack Moss tunning the twin engine dragster. his World ***le in 4 banger set in 66. A picture of him winning the Amarillo, Odessa, Austin Dragster championship in the 70s. And of course a shrine like area for his son Alan, who still drives Alcohol Dragster, and was NHRA champ in 2002. After a few great stories we went out and he took me to his trailer. Inside is his Small block 280 Z. Running 7:00s at the 1/8th mile track here. (I have never been, so I didn't know he still raced) He then walk with me back to my car and asked about the JJ and HAMB stickers. I told him about it and mentioned Ryan. He remembered the name asking if he was the kid that drove the Super Shops car, and if he wasn't Doc's boy. So after all this time I have a cat like this living a stone throw away from me! Makes me wonder how many other people are behind the doors in my neighborhood I need to know about!
****. I was watching the Twilight Zone today, but you stepped into it! Way cool you found a living history of Texas drag racing close to your house.
Geez...I just NEVR get sick of these stories. You know.....normally I SCREAM for pix on here ...but this story tells with all the pix we need! But TAKE some pix for after he's gone!...in about 20 years!!!!!!!!
I'm embarr***ed... I had no idea he was still in West Texas. I bet there is a ton of history there to explore...
thats sooo cool. We need to really cherish these "ol' timers", and try to collect their storys and history lessons they can teach us.
That's really cool. it'll take a day or 2 for that smile to come off your face. Maybe longer for the *****. I have an old guy across the street that is a Pearl Harbor survivor, and used to be a cop in Hawaii. He tells me stories about his favorite 57 Merc squad car, a**** other things. He is always interested in whatever I bring home, or am working on. He can barely walk, has no feeling in his legs, but makes it across the street to BS... Old guys rule!!
Glad you took the time to stop. The guys that were here before us deserve to be pinged once in a while. They have probably forgotten more than we have learned. (Coming from a guy racing up on 40, which was always considered OLD and now means I know **** but only about 1/2 a turd worth!)
Great story. Is that the Alan Bradshaw that is driving Bill Miller's Top Fuel this year? Old guy rule for sure. I love going over to my engine builders shop and listening to his dad's racing stories from the old Comp eliminator, UDRA and match race days. Amazing stuff...
Awsome Story..great to have Him as a neighbor i bet...the only thing i got is that i met Dale Jarrets Neighbor...hehe hahha yeah I know..so F-ing What! cool as hell Terry..now go pick his brain to death and get it up here on the HAMB!
What a GREAT way to start the New Year! Make sure you take your son with you next time you stop. What a wonderful experience it would be for him as well.
I see a JJ feature coming out of this. Great experience I'm sure. Just goes to show ya, never put off making a new friend.
Cool story! I have a business meeting in 15 minutes and will go into it with a smile on my face,thanks!
The other part of this story is the friendly guy who will stop to talk to an old man or a kid or himmelberg. Terry is one of a kind himself... not to mention his guiding light, Tina. It's nice to know that there are guys like Terry out there and that he has made a new friend. It's nice for me to know he's my friend too. himmelberg
The Jalopy Journal
