I remember the 32 Chev well. I mentioned it to Pat when I spoke to him, he was a little dismissive of it (or just modest maybe) but I told him that his no nonsense approach and lateral thinking (it's a 6 cylinder and not a Ford) were quite inspirational to people like me reading that stuff in their formative (hot rod) years. Agree with all said re the reborn RnC. Mart.
[ QUOTE ] I Agree with all said re the reborn RnC. Mart. [/ QUOTE ] The suit's from Rod and Custom should pay annually, a debt of 'gratitude'. His work should be required reading in college course's for Auto Journalism.
Just in case somebody influential is reading this thread, I would add my opinion that Pat is the master of hot rod journalism. He has the knowledge, the eye and the words to educate us all. As for Hot Rod Video #2: he told me that it would never happen, as the first was not financially good for him.
I´m a BIG fan of Pat´s writing as well. Hot Rod Magazine and Street Rodder during Pat´s time was great, and R&C was fantastic. No magazine beats that! And I was thrilled when he answered my e-mail during his time as writer for Gale Banks. The e-mail I got from him was my worst loss when my computer chrashed.
I met him at the KKOA Spectacular in Whichita KS a few years ago. I got to talk to him one on one for an hour or so. To a car guy like me, that was like meeting Mickey Mantle to a sports guy. Absolutely good guy, who spoke frankly about the magazine business. He stands firm on what he believes is right and wrong and he told me stories of magazine guys who did some pretty dirty things, which apparantly is why he doesn't work at the mainstream magazines anymore (I don't consider RJ mainstream).
I'm a Pat fan too. He's a car guy/magazine guy rather than just a magazine guy that gets a gig writing about hot rods for a couple of years. His time at R&C was great. In the early days of TRJ I emailed them just to say how much I enjoyed his writing. We need his kind.
Yes, how is that roadster and the mid '50's GMC powered rail? I always enjoyed Pats writing, had a phone call from him years ago about a Rodders Journal feature. It was nice the help with an article that got all the facts correct.
He's still the best. Seems he's devoting his time to writing books now. I have enjoyed all his books that I've read, but I miss regularly reading his commentaries on the hobby, its history and traditions. I wish he had a magazine gig again.
...did he ever sell that 48 Chevy 4-door?...that was a kool car for a 4-door. Anybody know if his roadster is done or any info on it? Does he still have his 52 Chevy? Like a lot of you, I always liked Pat's ideas, articles and photography.
Agree with everything said so far - and on a different note: in one of Pat's editorials, while at R&C, he wrote about music, specifically early rock and roll, and how "it" was way more important to him than cars, in the grand scheme of life, so to speak. He mentioned Elmore James, and I thought "who?" , but respecting the tall one's vision, I went and found out who Elmore James was. Changed my life, "musical-interest-speaking" To this day I'm a huge fan of Mr James' music, and still a Ganahl fan also. Go check it out.
Reading these threads I feel honoured to be able to say I have met Pat Ganahl.In 2002 my wife , self and another couple did a 4 week driving holiday thru California, Arizona etc. We were staying a couple of days in Flagstaff on our way to the Canyon. Pat & his wife were doing a road trip of Route 66 [which I also did 2 years later] and I got talking to him at breakfast because he had a Rodders Journal T shirt on. Very friendly guy, a pleasure to meet.
a few yrs ago, pat drove his f100 from calif to the street rod nats in louisville and back, a 3000 mile plus road trip living the dream
As for Hot Rod Video #2: he told me that it would never happen, as the first was not financially good for him.[/QUOTE] That's too bad. That is one of my favorite videos. It just shows,no matter how good something is, it doesn't always make you money.
I sure hope he does start posting here. His sense of humor and tech expertise,along with his down to earth writing style would be a great addition here. Him and Grey Baskerville have always been 2 of my favorite rod journalistico's.
When Coonan started Rodder's Journal and he had the wisdom to have Ganahl on board, I thought this should be good. And it was... but it seems like there was some sort of friction and Pat was out for a time. Now he contributes some. Like others have said here, his writing is second to none.
i'll add on to this a little late. at the pasadena roadster club reliability run my water pump went out and pat (an old acquaintence/friend) said "hop in axle" so i did and had the time of my life riding shotgun in pats caddy powred deuce. pat has endless amounts of stories,is an excellent writer,and great photographer. nuff said.
Mid to late 80s I was just getting into the old car thing and was naiively restoring a 57 Chev. One day at the news stand I picked up R&C. One of the very first of its resurrection. That did it for me. Kept up my subscription well beyond the Ganahl days but cancelled it shortly after reading how to install a flush fuel filler on a 40 Ford for the 8th time. (That issue also showed how to install a Painless wiring kit....again). I sorely missed Pat until TRJ appeared. Regrets....Ran into Pat (almost literally) at Americruise '95. It was late in the day, everyone was packing up and we were leaving. Gave him a nod and a quick "G'day" and kept walking. I said to my girlfriend "That was Pat Ganahl". The reply, "Who's Pat Ganahl?" Wish I had just stopped for a minute for a quick chat just so I could say "I have met Pat Ganahl" Pete
...Pete, I was just thinkin bout this same editorial; do you remember which issue it was in ? I wanted to re-read it. I'll have to do some diggin I guess.Thanks.
...to answer my own question in the previous post... it's in the August 82 issue...has a red duece roadster comin rite at ya on the cover . I checked out some of Pat's favorite recording artists (go to Amazon Music and listen to free samples)...pretty cool stuff.
The 48 4-door was at Pomona back in January (early Feb??) with a for sale sign in the window...don't remember the price.....no one was around the car at the time.
Funny that I should see this, Pat was driving the F100 when he was doing the TRJ shop tour article in like 96-97 & stopped in Cook's Machine, He took some pics of the Quick Change Raw Casting "door stop" as well as the Cad Flathead & 6 cyl Ford flathead patterns (in fact he wants that one for a wall hanger) Too bad we gotta use it Pat. Anyway he was just in Monday & picked up some stuff for the Iacono digger that he had machined. He is a good Mag editor,I like some of his taste in feature cars & subjects and hope that he does good while freelancing. Kevin
I'm glad to see I'm not alone in my admiration for Pat Ganahl. His time at R&C was probably the main reason I got into Rods and Customs. I was a muscle car/sports car guy until I discovered Pat's magazine. People like Pat make this hobby better!
I'm glad to see I'm not alone in my admiration for Pat Ganahl. His time at R&C was probably the main reason I got into Rods and Customs. I was a muscle car/sports car guy until I discovered Pat's magazine. People like Pat make this hobby so much better! His writing is like hanging out with a bud working on cars. His photo collection and knowledge is also amazing. Though I've never met him, reading his stuff makes it seem like we're friends.
The Jalopy Journal
