Well I finally got over to have a visit with Mr. Pittman and his wife, La Vaun. It was back just before Thanksgiving. I printed out all the replies from the two posts I started a while back (Ran about 25 pages) and gave it to them. (Actually, I was caught up in the moment and forgot to give it to them. My wife took it over later.) They thought it was very special; all your well wishes and reminisces about KS. Just got a Christmas card from them, They were able to share it with family and friends over the holidays and everybody enjoyed reading it. They also sent over an autographed t-shirt, now I have two signed items from the man and if ya got more than one of something that makes a collection! My visit was kind of short as I got there just before supper was served. They had just received that day a copy of the new collectable miniature of his 33 Willys. His wife had brought it in as a supprise. Here is a link http://www.legacydiecast.com/xq/asp/id.PRM-05/native.true/popup.true/qx/review.htm This is not meant to be a plug to sell it, just so you know what Im talking about. KS seemed to very pleased with the way it was done, and had a big 'ol grin on his face just looking at it. He should know if it was done right he drove the darn thing. Man, I dont collect these things but there is way more detail than I would have expected. Right down to the throttle linkage and the safety blanket around the transmission. Even a little soot around the header pipes. Cool. I asked him about the p***enger seat in it, as it seemed odd to have one in there. He explained it was part of the rules to run in that cl*** at that time. Had to have a second seat and upholstery in it. I asked if he ever took a p***enger down the quarter and he said no, but had a story about his neighbor. Seems he would work on this car at home and test it up and down the city streets. A neighbor would bug him for a ride so he finally gave him one. After witch the guy had trouble standing up and walking away. He said he went about a half mile up the road, ran it up to 150 or so. Guy didnt ask for any more rides. Although my visit was too short, the three or four stories from his past left me wanting to know more. He and his wife are good people who have had a lot of good times. His wife has just as many stories a he has! Just wanted to p*** along their thanks for everybodys comments and remembrances. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Man He was my hero in the day.I'm going to have to get one of those diecast. Thanks for the post. Mick
Get that guy on a computer and get him on here! I bet everyone on the HAMB would like to hear from him and learn a bit of what he knows about g***er history and technology!
You can bet this has crossed my mind. But I do not think they have any Internet access in the building.
KS Signed the glove box door on my 41 Willys sedan a few years ago at the Willys Home Run in Lancaster N.Y. He's a Super guy and will spend hours talking about the G***er War Years. Send our best and wished for a Happy Holiday to KS and LaVaugn. Jack
Talking with a legend such as him is something that will stay with you forever-I don't know what was so special about the g***er wars-it must have been the old cars but to this day there is nothing in my book that can match em- those guys had the right stuff to manhandle or more appropriately be manhandled down the quarter mile.
I rememeber sitting in school in 7th grade with Hot Rod tucked into my schoolbooks and reading about KS and others from that era, I loved the g***ers and F/X cars especially the Fords.....
Lemme know when you are coming down... I live about 5 miles from his museum(s)...plural, because there are two, and the new, old car museum is awesome all by itself. He has more flathead stuff, 40 Ford's with hemi's, and old Smokey Yunick stuff than you could shake a stick at.... Bring your ride down and I'll go with you and we can cruise the town... Jeff (Year 'round cruisin' is a Florida must!) Rice
I may be dating myself a bit, but........(trusting my memory here) I remember meeting KS Pittman as a wide eyed kid in Chicago during the winter of '66 or '67 at the car show held in Navy Pier (back when it was a long warehouse).. Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels was the headliner band playing way, way down at one end... Playing LOUD! (by '67 standards)... (I remember his drummer was so stoned he kept dropping his drumsticks, and just kept going with his bare hands .... Anyhoo..... When my dad and I were looking at the custom cars, and I was drooling over the AA/FA cars and rail jobs. I remember all the guys with their 'don't touch' signs.. And when I was trying to see around this cool g***er, the guy said to hop in. He let me sit in the car for a few seconds. When I got out, my dad said thanks and he told me "Stay in school, do your math..and someday you'll have a neat car and you can let some kid set in it" I will never forget K.S. saying that to me...some punky lil' kid. He was right, and I haven't forgotten what he said... to this day. Jeff
The Jalopy Journal
