I've accepted an offer and will be leaving Southern Cali to move to Minneapolis (actually Minnetonka). After being here in Cali for 20 years and writing good car magazines for the last 7-plus, this is kind of a radical move for me. It'd be cool to know some HAMBers are in the new 'hood. I'll be writing a spankin' new car mag as my new job, and I'll be looking for stuff to write about. Assistance would be cool in chasing down some cool subjects. I'll be there in about a month or so. I'm bringing all my rides, too. To all my Cali pals- I'm pretty sure I'll be making the trip West regularly to do stories. I hope to stay in touch on here and see those I miss. This is really wierd for me and I'm anxious, nervous, excited, and scared at the same time. It's a teriffic chance for me, and I intend to make it all it can possibly be. Anyone in the area? Scotch~!
I'm about an hour south,in rochester,I've owned my tattoo shop for about five years now,Theres a few good bike builders I could turn you on to for a story or two,not too many traditional car guys right here that I know of,but theres a few.mostly MSRA guys,Youll have to take a drive down after the summer gets going,to a little town just north of here on Hwy 52,called Oronoco,every wednesday night theres a little get together at a supper club,that usually has some cool cars,fifty or so each week from around 4 till whenever ..Welcome to the state,Just hope the laws and regulations dont follow you here too fast..
I know of some trad stuff that RULES hidden away in my home town... Theres more around than ya think... besides its the bubble top capitol of the world... and I dont mean the GM cars either.
Minneapolis is a pretty cool city, i live right downtown about 3/4 of the year (well about 6 blocks south) ....you'll like it....once, you shed your pansy california skin and get used to the cold!
bring a winter jacket. and stand at a 90 degree angle to the person you are talking to. you'll get the hang of the midwest soon enough. when do you get here? David
Bring your Fargo Cap with ya, they got the built in ear flaps, OH YA and some bib overalls. Us Norskies luv a good snow storm and we really get stoked for a big BLIZZARD, the're a frikkin riot. If Tuck won't sell ya the tire chains off his tubb, then look me up, i got a good selection. And when the fun of winter is over and you'r sno-blower is wore out, the fun starts all over again when ya have to buy a MOSQUITO sucker-upper thingy. Just don't let the law see ya, cause the 'mosquito' is our State Bird. Minnetonka is only a stones throw from KANADA--great place. Ya don't have to be CRAZY to live here, but it helps. Welcome, u'll like it here, really.
Good tips from 413. Also be sure to maintain at least 2 feet between yourself and the person your talking to and don't smile too much. It makes us nervous. And whatever you do - don't touch anyone Plan on showing up at the Minnetonka drive-in on Thursdays through the summer. I'm just a couple miles up Hwy 7 - a little farther out in the sticks. Tell us more about this magazine.
This is encouraging! Good to know some cool folks are local. FYI- I'm not a full-on California pansy. I moved out here from Buffalo NY when I was 18. I'm aware of chilly weather and the effect of blizzards. I've shoveled plenty in my time, but it's been awhile. The new mag is part of a new club. Join the club; get the mag. It's a nationwide deal and will offer club members many benefits beyond the sterling bi-monthly publication. It's sorta like Triple A for hot rodders, custom guys, and musclecar fans. It won't be purely focused on traditional rods and customs, but they will certainly be a part of it. I'll be there in mid November, and will be all moved in and working by December. I give my 2-week notice tomorrow...the important folks at my current job have alerady been informed. Tuck- I've seen your stuff and you can expect regular visits, if your up for it. Your work absolutely rocks. Thanks again to all of you so far... ..anyone else? Scotch~!
Will you still be involved with PHR or Engine Masters? I've really enjoyed all your great work there.
Hey after you survive the winter,Then you have to hang out at porky's and build up your stomach to tolerate the food there it's alright but nothing to write about.Then most of all you have to have time saved up for Back to the 50's in st.paul.Eat alot of cheese curds and tell Tuck he's a pretty boy.I'm south of ya in Farmington.So give us a shout when you arrive in town we'll try to make it out to ya and say hi.You do have a set of snow tires for your ride,Right?
Thats way too funny I moved to Minnesota from Huntington Beach too! haha Minnetonka is a nice area. I think a tour of the cities could be arranged for ya.
WELCOME TO MINNESOTA,They say its Land of 10,000 Lakes but in reality its Land of 10,000 Flakes as in Steering Wheels.I'm only 10 minutes from Minnetonka.I'll see you when you get here.
Welcome to Minnesohta!!!! I'm a little south of you in Lakeville. Remember we drink pop here, not soda and most everyone here has a great hotdish recipe, or at least our wife's or mom's do. And if you like to fish we have a few lakes also!
I feel so welcome already! This is gonna be cool. To answer questions - Sorry Fonz- no party! We're up to our asses in things to do, and time is of the essence. I will aboslutely make time to spend with ya and I want to fire off some shots of your car for you. Its the least I can do, and you've been a great pal. We'll stay in touch on here at the very least. I will no longer have anything to do with PHR or Engine Masters mags. The new bosses wouldn't look kindly on it and I'm totally focused on my new assignments anyway. I can't beleive anyone else has moved from Huntington Beach to Minnetonka...but since this IS the case, the wife and I will take you up on the tour... I am SO looking forward to meeting all of you and sharing our common interests. Some of my projects are near complete, and others are far from it, so I'll need help and I'm certainly willing to give assistance, too. As most of you know, I'm primarily an engine guy. I can do plenty of other things too, but building and tuning is the one thing I can confidently say I do well. I do lean toward a West Coast style, I can never have enough power, and I prefer dark beers. The wife (Kelly) and I are really looking forward to starting our new lives out there, and knowing some cool folks are in the neighborhood is helping. This is an all new deal for us, and we intend to be there for life. Blank canvas; clean slate. Thanks to all of you already for giving us one more thing to look forward to upon arrival. We'll get there in mid-November, and PMs to those who've responded to this post will soon follow. Thanks again...!!! Scotch~!
The Jalopy Journal
