Vale: John 'Chopper' Katsanis - Australia

Really sorry to hear that, Carps.

 

RIP chopper... gone but not forgotin..

 

RIP Chopper. His bare metal Holden build is one of my favorite on the HAMB.

 

On behalf of the Oz chapter of the Road Devils.

God keep him and rest in peace.

 

Peter,
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I knew that John was in grave condition but it still takes the wind out of your sails when you hear what you didn't want to hear.
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He was a loyal dealer of O'Brien Truckers products for many, many years and we'll sure miss his jovial calls.
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Our condolences to John's family and friends.
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Dennis & Sue O'Brien

 

Condolences to the Katsansis Family. "Chopper" a true Australian Kustom Car legend.
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On behalf of myself and "Wild Turkey" our condolances go out to the Katsanis family at this time of great loss.

John was a great pioneer of the Hotrod and Kustom scene in Australia and also was one of the first to feature (and certainly the first to have such big line ups of Rockabilly Bands) Rockabilly Music in his events. As a member of the band "Wild Turkey" we are proud to have performed at many of the top shows and runs John and his family organised.

As a car enthusiast I first saw his custom Cusso at the Melbourne Hotrod show about late 70's or 1980ish and it was in the same style that our family were into - my brother had just got his Star Model on the road lowered with reversed Chromies and wide whites (flappers were all you could get at that time!) with all the interior trims chromed and a hot 292 etc. When we saw John's awesome Cusso done with so much detail it made a great impression on us.

Later in the 80's I remember rolling up at John and Tina's shop in Beaconsfield in my Yank 57 Ford and checking out all the cool 50's style hotrod stuff that you didnt see anywhere else in those days!

In years after that John got in as a special order some rare USA 57 Ford new parts I was chasing when nobody else was willing to do so and he was very fair with prices - this was years before ebay was even thought of so any parts that were not available in Aus were pretty well impossible to get.

He had the Star Model wagon at that time.

John was always super helpful, encouraging and willing to give advise.

I attended the First Picnic and a couple of years later my band was invited to perform at it and we have played at every Picnic since and also all of the Kustom Nationals.

We are lucky here in Melbourne to have had somebody that had the foresight to create and take the risk of putting on these events - John changed the style of the shows here and his have been the best events of their kind in the country.

Lets keep that going and see you all at "The Rumble" in a couple of weeks!.

RIP "Chopper".

 

Thanx John, the Rumble may not turn out like the first one, but I'm thinkin it's gunna be one heck of a party!

Meanwhile I've been going through a heap of old photos (I'll get to yours one day, promise) and this one seems to fit like that famous pic with the cartoon characters and lonely microphone.

 

This one pretty much sums up the man!

 

RIP...God Bless

 

Seems like he was a good cat.

 

One of the very best Nads.

 

RIP John .... back in Tina's arms

 

John always had time for me from the moment I first got involved in hotrodding 13 or so years ago. I'll never forget that about him. He again had time for my 2 boys only a few months ago at the Kustom Nationals. My son Seamus sat with John for quite a while as he rested.

Thanks John.You will be sorely missed.

My sincere condolences to Luke, Dean, Tom and Damon, as well as John's family and close friends.

Wayne Hadfield (aka Pedro....the name John gave me.)

 

I think that was one of John's greatest qualities, he was always welcoming to anyone showing even the most remote interest in Rods or Customs. I still remember the first time I took the roadster out to the shop when I got it. I think he was nearly as happy as I was!

I'm sure we'll miss him especially on those late Friday nights BSing up at the House/shop. They won't quite be the same without him, but many a friendship has been forged thanks to John and his ways.

R.I.P. my friend.

 

sorry to hear this ,RIP

 

Been looking thru the old pics files and can't find one that's just John standin' there alone with a smile on his dial, most of em are like this........



In fact this one is another that shows the strength of this giant a**** men. I shot it this year, less than 3 months ago!



For those interested, funeral details are here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...discussionid=19402&gmid=343836#gmessage343836

 

The only person to tell us off for being hoodlums with a smile on his face after a couple of Roadster had a donut session in his back paddock! Thanks for putting up with us all on Friday nights.

Thanks for the pics Carps it was a pleasure to hold the torch on both of those chops just to see how it was done. No matter what the time restraints John always made time to explain how and why, thank you. RIP.

 

I have been thinking about what to say since I first herd about Johns p***ing. It has been such a long time since I last saw John, since I joined the Army and it has taken me so far from home.

Being young and impressionable back then I remember 'Chopper' as being somewhat a Hot Rodding celebrity, and that little bit of 'awe' that went along with it. (Remember I was young)
John was one of the family friends that I grew up with, one of the 'staple's' that was always there at every run. I may not have seen John in nearly 20 years but just cant imagine the scene without him.
Chopper's p***ing is a great loss to the Australian Custom and Hot Rodding world. It is like the US loosing Gene Winfield.

Well, Im not sure if I said what I wanted to.
My deepest sympathies to the Katsanis family.
RIP John.

Doc.

 

I took this pic of John looking over, what I believe, was his last project in Jan 2011 at the Kustom Nats. I believe it typifies the man, he was a true Hot Rodder to the very end.

My sincere condolences to Luke, Dean, Tom and Damon. May he Rest in Peace.

 

Great pix Carps.....

Let's just count our blessings that we got to know the man really well over the years and that he changed the landscape of rods an kustoms in Australia for the better.

John was a visionary, and he understood the hobby, the cars, the future of rodding and most importantly, the people who make this hobby what it is.

RIP

 

Sad to here..prayer for family,boys .He has done so much for rods/kustoms in Australia his shows and events will be a time to remember what he did for us...Rod.

 

Carps that's one hell of a photo!!!!!!! Bravo...

 

Sorry to hear of your loss and that of his family. Prayers for comfort and peace to all.
May He bless you in your hour of sorrow.

 

So sad to hear this. RIP

 

Me and the boys from Johnny Z's were deeply saddened to hear of John's p***ing, a true visionary both with the craftsmanship he displayed and the vision with Kustoms of Australia with the awesome shows he and the boys organised, he will be sorely missed by all...
Condolences to the boys and the extended family and of course his hot rod and kustom family... RIP John our mate 'Chopper'.

and on a personal note John was just the nicest guy always ready and willing to have a have chat, hang out and talk all things kustoms and hot rods he always had time, no matter how busy to drop by and say g'day we were privileged to know the man and the legend that is John.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184247&highlight=john+chopper+katsanis
RIP Chopper.

 

Rest well John, you've earned it. Drag racing is the sport they play in God's driveway.

Matt

 

Rip john

 

I was a little later in the 90s, but that was exactly what I thought. It was the first place I knew of that had all that cool **** you'd only ever see in US magazines. For a young kid from Perth, it was like going to Disneyland.