****. I was just moving around my 'g***er diecast' display and put the football up against the Stone, Woods & Cook Willys... Damn.
I had the honor of talking with Big John a lot when we were doing the article on Ken McIntyre's tribute Willys for TRJ #31. I knew how old he was before I ever dialed, so, to be honest, I wasn't expecting much when I made my first phone call. But once we got to talking everything changed. He was still as excited about drag racing a few months ago as he was in the '60s, and even if a few (very small) details were off his mind was sharp. He was quick to point out how much his friends and rivals had meant to him over the years - often, these were the same people - and though he was revered at G***er reunions and events, the community and friendship meant more to him than the adoration ever could. I never met Big John, and he never campaigned a car in my lifetime, but on the wall just to the right of this computer is an autographed picture of his Willys he sent when we did the article. It's not coming down any time soon.
With Big John and his machines, stance was the word. One of the men who put g***ers on the map. What a joy to watch, and hear, and have sensory overload. You, SIR, will be missed. Now you can put your foot in it, and not have to let up. Sunday!, Sunday!, Sunday!
Jim Gordon from Antique Auto relayed a story to me years ago of how he wanted a Corvette, John had numerous versions, Jim acquired one of these by selling his 40 deluxe woody. He had the car but couldn't afford the insurance on it, & then his son was born, Big John's former vette was sold. Back in the late 80's Big John would come to our Outriders picnic that we had @ Bob Andersons yard-The very best place ever to hold that picnic! John was just as friendly as could be & would talk about the g***er wars & @ that time 2 big block Chevy powerd clones were being readied for the new g***er wars that were to take place @ Baylands KS Pittmams & the SWC Swindler were the 1sts.He was excited! Very sad news indeed! RIP John & get em right off the line!
I met and talked with John several times in my life , the last time at Famoso .--- His beautifully prepared and maintained "Armenian Army Staff Cars" were and still are some of the nicest anywhere ! . --John's old friend , Gil Ayala (Gil's autobody in E.LA ) used to make them straight and I belive it was Ruben that used to candy them. RIP "Big John" , it was a pleasure !
Geez man, it sems as though everytime I get on for a HMAB fix, I read about another legend leaving us for the big Dragstrip in the sky....it wasnt so long ago that Mr. 4 Speed himself made his last p***.... RIP BIG JOHN Rat
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 26 at Rose Hills Mortuary in Whittier, CA, from 5-8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be in the SkyRose Chapel at the Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 27.
sad news for sure..i just bought a model off of kustommike of his g***er the other day...god bless him and his family!!!
Wow,,,another true American hero p***es to our maker. Makes me feel old because I was around when John was "the man" in AG/S along with my own personal favorite Ohio George and his blown Caddy AG/S car.
Bummer - here's some more bio.............. http://www.nhra.com/apcm/templates/news_template.asp?articleid=14429&zoneid=8
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