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Speaking of tradition...a tribute.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Royalshifter, Mar 30, 2007.

  1. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,982

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Bill and Loretta Greene met each other at the age of 15 at Central High in Fresno, CA. over 50 years ago, they were childhood sweethearts. Bill had a Model A coupe with a pumped flathead that he built in the shop cl***, well Loretta fell for his Hot Rod personality and are still together enjoying this true tradition of Hot Rodding. These two wonderful people which are my friends have touched me like they cannot imagine. Bill to this day can talk Hot Rods like no other and has kept the old days of tradition in the coupe he has built himself today,[​IMG] which closely resembles the coupe he and his sweetheart had fun in 50 years ago. So my heart goes out to the real traditional folks of old that are still enjoying it today. The photo is ladyshifter, Loretta, Bill, myself and Henry Astor with the American Hot Rod Foundation, which the interview of this amazing story is being discussed.

    If there is any other cool people like Bill and Loretta you folks know, please tell there story so the young guns can know the real meaning of tradition.
     
  2. lik2writ
    Joined: Feb 12, 2004
    Posts: 434

    lik2writ
    Member
    from NY

    that's a great story and pic...and an even greater tribute to your friends.
     
  3. Muttley
    Joined: Nov 30, 2003
    Posts: 18,501

    Muttley
    Member

    I love Billy's Coupe............I just wish he would bring it out more often.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  4. 29bowtie
    Joined: Nov 14, 2006
    Posts: 5,234

    29bowtie
    Member

    These stories are so cool.How many people are still enjoying their favorite pastime,50 yrs later?Hot rodders do.Let's all hope we can too.How many of the new generation "traditional rodders" will still be with our high school sweethearts 50 yrs from now.We need to honour,and cherish what we can learn from good people like this.HOT RODDING FOREVER,FOREVER HOT RODDING.:D Cool car Bill and Loretta,thanks for the inspiration.
     
  5. 31whitey
    Joined: Jan 2, 2007
    Posts: 2,214

    31whitey
    Member

    wow...really cl***y A...sounds like it could not belong to a nicer couple...I hang out with a couple named Tom and Lois...there 76...Tom has both his orignal 34 nailhead drag car, and 32 rockett drag car...these cars are history...i am working with Tom now and we are thinking about swapping trans in one so he can drive it...Tom has really bad knees and cant drive manual...cars havent moved since 71....
     
  6. ladyshifter
    Joined: Mar 14, 2007
    Posts: 50

    ladyshifter
    Member
    from Fresno, CA

    Hot Rods is what makes me and Royal happy, also all the cool friends we have. Bill and Loretta are awesome people and I enjoy knowing them.
     
  7. Nekronomicon
    Joined: May 23, 2005
    Posts: 814

    Nekronomicon
    Member

    Thats really cool, thanks alot for posting this. The coupe looks perfect Bill
     
  8. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    Very cool post. I've always been of the mind that older folks with their experience and age can do nothing but enhance life in general and hot rodding specifically. I always take the time to listen and probe the memories of those who have gone before us, the experience can't be bought but it sure can be shared.
    Although my wife and I were highschool sweethearts and have been married for 43 years we'll never catch your friends. Tell them though they better not slow down because Frank and Sharon are in their rear view mirror.:cool: :D

    Frank
     
  9. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,982

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    I will let them know Frank. I think that Bill is a lurker.
     
  10. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,982

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    bttt for Bill and Loretta.
     
  11. lexistars
    Joined: Oct 11, 2006
    Posts: 254

    lexistars
    Member
    from Fontana

    That is a great story and great Car!
     
  12. Toymaker
    Joined: Mar 26, 2006
    Posts: 3,924

    Toymaker
    Member
    from Fresno,CA

    Bill hasn't changed much from his Jeep'n Days, Great Guy, Great Story!
     
  13. flatheadbill
    Joined: Apr 4, 2007
    Posts: 2

    flatheadbill
    Member
    from Fresno, Ca

    I've just finished reading all these wonderful posts about two very special people and I know for a fact that they are all true. In their many years together they have touched so many lives, an inspiration to friends and family. I have had the pleasure of knowing them for 47 years now and they are truly two very special people. I am very proud to call them my Mom and Dad. Because of the two you, your girls have had the greatest memories of growing up. Thanks!
    Happy Birthday Dad

    Love the both of you.
    Roxie
    (Ha Ha Claud)
     
  14. ladyshifter
    Joined: Mar 14, 2007
    Posts: 50

    ladyshifter
    Member
    from Fresno, CA

    Happy Birthday... Glad to have you on board. Are you going to the Tower Show?
     
  15. Looks like the real American Graffiti, doesn't it?
     
  16. flatheadbill
    Joined: Apr 4, 2007
    Posts: 2

    flatheadbill
    Member
    from Fresno, Ca

    Thanks
    Can't miss the Tower Show, its beginning to become a tradition.
    Hope to see all the shifters there.
     
  17. MATTILAS
    Joined: Feb 9, 2008
    Posts: 51

    MATTILAS
    Member

    I have had the honer of meeting Billy and Loretta, And if they ever get this cloning thing worked out we need dozens of Billy and lorettas, Yes they are the real american graffiti.
    Billy will talk hot rod with you if your ride has a $10,000.00 paint job or a $2.00 wal-mat rattle can spray job. They are always there, just like hot rods. I'm so lucky to know them you should be to.
     
  18. BOBBY FORD
    Joined: Oct 6, 2007
    Posts: 700

    BOBBY FORD
    Member

    Met my wife in jr high school when I was 13. We never dated all through high school but married when we were 20 and have been married for 46 years. I had hot rods back then and have had a lot of cars over the years and still working on projects now. Unlike the couple here, my wife is not a car person. Just glad she lets me be one. LOL
     
  19. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 22,826

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    That coupe looks great.
     
  20. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,982

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Glad to see you have joined Jerry.
     
  21. I Think thats what it's all about!

    Very cool!

    Thanks
     
  22. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,982

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Another photo of the coupe.

    [​IMG]
     
  23. Nice story.

    I'll bet Loretta can tell a few hot rod oriented stories of her own.

    I've been married to Sweetie for quite a while and just now I'm beginning to find out some things she did with some of the more interesting cars we've owned.

    Nothing quite like seeing a 20 year old gal get out of a six carbed Rocket motor Shoebox coupe, getting the one year old daughter out and doing the grocery shopping.
    Used to leave the boxboys a touch befuddled.


    Great coupe as well.
    It has the look.
    Well done....
     
  24. jangleguy
    Joined: Dec 26, 2004
    Posts: 2,668

    jangleguy
    Member

    Thanks for posting this, Royals. THIS is what it's about, to me: the people who build/drive the cars. Coupe looks like a blast though...
     
  25. injectedA
    Joined: Apr 27, 2002
    Posts: 590

    injectedA
    Member

    wow…nice thread. We have Billy & Carlene, but he can’t be here by one year plus he doesn’t do pc’s, just smokes and drinks coffee. Carlene drag raced her ’65 Chevelle for a dozen years before hanging it up. Still in the family with the son in law. Billy? you can’t drag that man out of his red stroked 383 ’65 Chevelle. Especially since falling down some stairs that weren’t there during a new construction project which lent to major back surgery and two broken wrist which have required even more. He has had a new truck for awhile but mostly drives his ’65. Runs 12’s a day long. I can’t stand to open his hood, wires freaking everywhere!!! Leaks don’t matter either, unless he is going racing. Then he knows all the tricks for tech. I’m betting its cash :)
     
  26. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,982

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    I am bringing this thread back up to congradulate Bill and Loretta for 50 years of marriage and Hot Rodding......Me and Ladyshifter will be attending their party 12-6-08 saturday and should be fun. Congradulations.
     
  27. Nice story Royal....thanx for sharin' it.

    textPeople like these are the cornerstone of our hobby and should be cherished before they are all gone.

    Rat
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2008
  28. Parts48
    Joined: Mar 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,588

    Parts48
    Member
    from Tucson, Az

    Wonderful folks and a great story..and a true beauty of a coupe. Happy 50th..and many more..

    Thanks for the post..made a tough night much nicer..
     
  29. Clutched
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 230

    Clutched
    Member

    Great story....i love moon disks.
     
  30. kustomkat
    Joined: Sep 4, 2006
    Posts: 558

    kustomkat
    Member

    Very kool story. It is great to honor the roots of the hobby. Please relay my congrats to the happy couple...

    Geoff
     

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