I know alot of you may not know who Willie Clay Call is, but he was a friend of the town for Wilkesboro, NC. In his day he was a great moonshiner and ran it with many of NASCAR's beginning greats such as Junior Johnson. I talked to my Grand pa today and he told me of Willie Clay Call's passing. This is sad news and I can only hope this mans rich history lives on. My Grand pa was good friends with him and attended his funeral. The hearse for the funeral was led by Call's '61 Chrysler New Yorker. This was Call's favorite liquor car, souped up with a healthy 413, this looked more to be a business man's car and not a liquor car. That was the trick to getting away from the Feds. Call also has a garage full of '40 Fords. Not replicas of shine haulers, these are the real thing with many miles of liquor haulin logged on them. Please take some time to read the following links about this great man. Rest in Peace Mr. Call. The article in Hot Rod magazine from 2005 http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/113_0510_moonshine_runners_cars_history/viewall.html Article in the paper about his funeral http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2012/aug/07/wsmet01-one-of-wilkes-best-known-former-moonshiner-ar-2497972/
Sad news. I remember reading the story in Hot Rod in'05. Those guys were a huge part of our hot-rodding history. RIP Mr. Call.
I saw a feature on the history channel about moonshiners and bootleggers. It featured Mr. call and his garage and also his Chrysler you mentioned. It is replayed from time to time. If you get a chance check it out.
Yeah, I own a dvd of that special. Here is a great book if anyone would like to know more history on moonshining including Willie Clay Call. I have a signed copy of it from him. http://www.amazon.com/Return-Thunder-Road-Behind-Edition/dp/0962260835
The Jalopy Journal
