Art & Inspiration Old Hot Rodders are a treasure

Today, I went to see my mom, who's been in the hospital the last month. When, I left her room and made my way to the lobby of the hospital, an older gentleman who was a doorman, quipped... "MOON!" I was wearing a Mooneye's T-shirt. "I haven't seen that logo in ages!"

What started as a passing, turned into a long story and memories that he shared with me. He was from Galveston and told me how he and his brother built an old Studebaker and got a machine shop to over bore the Caddy engine they had. Sounds like it may have been pretty quick.

He talked and I listened. He's 80+ and the gleam in his eyes as he talked was priceless. He told me about meeting Garlets and Ivo.

Just that little bit of time pulled me out of the depression I was in. I told him about the HAMB and he said he would check it out. I really hope he does, because when all the bullshit gets debated..... the only truth is from those who were there.

Treasure.

 

I've met a few early Olds Powered racers, they have the same gleam when they travel back..

 

That's awesome Fred! And I bet you listening thrilled him just as much...
Hope he does check in here.

 

that is one of those chance meets that you will remember for years to come,sorry to hear your mom is not well. HRP

 

Reminds me, I was in line at the local credit union, last Thursday, I had on a S0-Cal Az, T shirt. Older than me guy, behind me, said "What is So-Cal Az?" I told him it was a local speed shop on McDowell Rd.

Before I left he caught up with me and ask for address and/or directions.. I wish I would have taken the time to talk to him longer. As usual I was on mission.

 

Time........

 

Sorry to hear about your Mom. Great story

 

I keep looking for those older gentlemen in my travels but, somehow it seems I've become one of them.

 

And that was a wonderful gift to him!
Here's hoping for the best for your Mom.

 

Great story Fred. Sorry to here about your mom. Hope she gets better.

 

Best wishes for your mom! Great to talk with the old folks too.

 

Fred- First=Sorry about your Mom. But, there's always a story to be told from the older gent's.... They might have been just cars to them, but , there is always a story......
Even the adventures in "just a car" that we would like to have or lust over.
Good on you for listening, as these stories will vanish in time......

 

Fred give your mother all our best.

I had breakfast with this guy Paul Hannan and early Bay Area Roadster member. Doesn't have the roadster but has a Cobra. I'm old but he is about ten years older and was there in the '50s. Yes those are real Mags. He and Grabowski carried a kegger on the back rack at an early get together with the L.A. Roadsters. Paul is full of kool old stories.

Gary

 

Love this car.


Its just a shame the HAMB doesn't hold old hot rods in the same high regard that they hold old hot rodders...

 

I wish your mother a fast recovery.

Glad you both got a chance to lift your spirits, is no doubt you made the ol man happy also.

 

Ive got an buddy,old time hotrodder,Jim Bonin 75 years young,been there,done that, still doin that! Anyway,we do all the local swaps and car shows together,hes got a shit tonne of cool stories,my fave is the one where he was at edmonton world of wheels show,set up between Ivo and Garlits,he won best display with his chopped 40 pickup with olds power. Hes in the process of building a replica of sorts atm. Great guy,great stories! Take the time,listen,its well worth the effort,life will wait.


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Over the years I have met many older guys that were there in the early days of many of my interests. I met John in Wendover at this years Speed Week, he was so interesting to listen to about going to Bonneville since 1960 and many other thinks. The only time I talked was with a question and when he asked of New Zealand. Such knowledge and just the nicest guy. JW

 

Remember,we are fortunate to have many old school hot rod & custom guys that are here on the Hamb and have a wealth of knowledge that they share freely on a daily basis,hopefully another old timer will be recruited. HRP

 

Wow George where did you find that photo? I'll send the link to this thread to Paul.

That might be the best photo I've seen of it. Probably after he sold it.


Gary

 

Its in one of Andy Southards books, but I cropped the other car out.

 

Thanks George Paul will love it.

Fred great thread as always.

Gary

 

Agreed car guys ( and gals ) are the best . I was in the car business 25 years , now retired , and always enjoyed someone who was a " car guy " . I'd get the conversation going by asking about their very first car .......then sit back and listen . Even though the first car was often a P.O.S. , there was a gleam in their eye about it because it was the ticket to freedom .
I go to car cruises regularly and ask people about their cars ......usually leads to great conversation .

 

Very well said, thanks for sharing your experience!!

 

My heart goes out to you and your family. Great story too,makes me wish I'd taken the time too talk with some of the old timers I knew back then


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Living in Socal has spoiled me in certain regards. I've personally met and spoken to legends in our hobby...merely because I live in the same part of the world as most of them do. One of my favorite memories is talking at length with Mickey Thompson mechanic wiz Fritz Voigt.... he used to be a regular at the Long Beach swapmeet.....sadly he passed a while back...but man the stories he told me....a favorite picture I have is of Fritz and Ed Iskendarian taken at that same swapmeet a couple years ago....

A funny note about my pictures.....I took the first picture...then Ed said....hey...take another one. He lifted his cigar for the second one....

 

Fred
One thing will bring me back to LARS. YOU!

Gary

 

Ed Iskendarian is one sturdy mofo.....still makes the occasional round at the Long Beach swap....mind blowing. I brought a car for sale once...and Ed talked to me about it....whipped out a little notebook and took down my number. I was blown away...this was about 2or 3 years ago....I thought....I don't want to build this car...but Ed is thinking about it....and he was about 93 at the time. Holy Shit.

 

Hope your Mum gets better soon. Ed without a stogie just aint Ed.
An older feller was looking at a pal's A roadster while it was parked, and got talking to us.
He said " I had one of these in the '50s, and stuck in a V8 from a later Ford. Went like stink!!!"
I love talking to these guys, they were just punks too ,when they were young, and they just need the right ear listening to get the stories rolling.
I always reckon that most of these guys have done exactly what we are doing now, maybe even better.

 

Thoughts and Prayers for your Mom, Good On you ! Very happy to read your thread, I am a senior now approaching OLD faster than a speeding bullet. I always enjoy/enjoyed chatting w/ my elders, a trend that is getting lost in youth/kids today IMO, most seem to be "now, today" w/ little interest in the history of anything and Courtesy, Manner's are fading fast, again IMO.

 

Wishing your Mom the very best - Thanks for story - lots of old timers part of the H.A.M.B. Family - plenty of older racers at CHRR at FAMOSO, CA last weekend