While everyone is busy with the likes of all these early hot rodders , we shouldn't forget the heroes in our midst , I've never met Pat Ganahl but I feel I know him through his writing. He is the quintessential California street rodder who's dry whit equals nay surp***es anything Jay Leno garbles out nightly. His column and editorial prose really set the mood of the 70,s 80,s and 90,s lets all big the man up and get some recognition for this guy , He is the unsung hero , and its time to celebrate him..
Until it got stolen, I always enjoyed that video he made years ago...Especially at the beginning when his son fired up the 331 hemi powered 32 and set off across Muroc.
I had the pleasure of meeting him at the KKOA show in Kansas back in 2000 or 2001. We talked for an hour or so. Super guy, and he'll tell you straight how he magazine business really is, and it ain't pretty at all behind the scenes.
I wish I still had that photochopped picture of tall Pat that was posted here years ago... It was terriffic. Only once in a long while does a great hot rod writer appear. Pat is one.
I'm glad to see that things must have gotten patched up between him and Steve ****an. TRJ is a perfect place for his "In depth" writing style. He must be proud to have had his son Bill follow in his footsteps. He's working at Brizio's, and writing some pretty good articles too.
I couldn't agree with you more. Pat is an icon in the "hot rod" business and his no BS method of writing is a pure pleasure. I, too, am glad that what ever rift there existed between he and Rob has been patched up. The Rodder's Journal is the perfect place for Pat's writing to appear. One of my favorite of all time Pat articles was the one where he went to visit the places in the LA area where the original "names" of the hot rod cult had their start. While the idea seems insane, I just loved that story because Pat made it so damned interesting.
Let's not forget all his work bringing back Rod & Custom in the late eighties. Some of the best issues ever!
Pat is a personal friend who i consider to be a great automotive historian,huge music lover,and very p***ionate about Americana.
I've always thought, that Rodder's Journal was at it's absolute best, during the time that Pat Gahnal was the Editor.
I completely agree with all that's been said. He is one of the heroes of our generation of hot rodders and customizers. Both R&C and TRJ were at their absolute best when he was driving. It appears that he raised his kid right, too! I only regret that he doesn't currently have a gig where we can read his stuff every month. He has always had interesting things to say, especially in reference to history and style.
I never knew who Pat Ganahl was early on. Back in the late 90's, his name was always popping up and referred to him as "Too Tall Ganahl. I looked back at the early Rod and Custom mags and his articles were "Spot On", taking notice on the resurgence of early style Hot Rods and Customs. Not knowing also, he was behind the wheel of Rodders Journal too, with some of the best stories/articles ever. I would sure like to see him active in some kind of publication. Thanks Pat! Ken
The "Fired the plumber " piece was an editorial he wrote when Rod & Custom was brought back. If you can get a hold of those bi-monthly issues with him at the helm they're some of his best work. At least I think so.
I just ran into Pat a few weeks ago in the the local OSH hardware store here in Burbank.( you gotta love this town; I've run into Ivo at the post office, Muravez at the Maytag shop, and Jim Dietz at Home Depot!) We talked for a bit and he was telling me he has a new book on custom painting coming out soon. I guess there will be a shot or two of our customs from Paso years ago in regards to a section on colored suede. Pat is a cool guy for sure. If you look at the starting line in pictures from the golden years of drag racing, more times than not, you will spot "too tall Ganahl" with a 35mm still or 16mm movie camera in hand. D.
I started reading Pat when I bought the black-and-white Oakland Roadster Show-cover issue of Rod & Custom back in 1989, and I still think he's amazing. I bought every issue he ever edited of that period of Rod & Custom (I think I'm missing one or two), and I stopped buying it when he was no longer editor, in about 1993. He's incredible--an intelligent guy who writes intelligently and colorfully about cars. What a concept! His articles are usually my favorites in Rodder's Journal, and even if he never wrote another word, he'd be the guy who wrote two of my all-time favorite Rodder's Journal articles: the one in Issue 13 which introduced me to Lee Pratt, and the one in ... Issue 36? about the Duvall shop truck. He's a great writer.
Met him at the KKOA 1989 in Davenport Ia. Super humble man. Indeed hail the treasure trove of work and info this man has shared with the rest of us. A fan of the man. He really worked over Hot Rod magazine (80's) when he manned the rudder.
met him at Paso 2007 and I talked to his navel for about half an hour (dont make to much out of that) he signed glove box door from my 52 along with Barris Hines Stanford Winfield .Think I am a groupie ???? Are there any other Ganahl videos other than HOT ROD #1? No , glove box door wont go with the car if I sell
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off"> Pat is one of a kind. In 1977 I submitted my first artical to Street Rodder with two Kansas Cruisers. Jerry ***us's 54 Buick and Steve Park's 56 Buick. By todays standards the photos were not very good but Pat used them to help promote custom again. His criticism has always been positive. He will always take the time to talk to you or answer your e-mails. He has given me so much encouragement over the years. Rodders Journal isn't the same without his contrabutions. </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off"></TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off"> Pat is one of a kind. In 1977 I submitted my first artical to Street Rodder with two Kansas Cruisers. Jerry ***us's 54 Buick and Steve Park's 56 Buick. By todays standards the photos were not very good but Pat used them to help promote custom again. His criticism has always been positive. He will always take the time to talk to you or answer your e-mails. He has given me so much encouragement over the years. Rodders Journal isn't the same without his contrabutions. </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I had the pleasure of meeting him back in 1980's in DesMoin ,Iowa.(KKOA Show) and at the Merc Deuce reunion in Kansas.When he photo shot my merc. He's a very neat and honest guy!It was a honor and I am Proud to have meet him ,and see him usually at S.E.M.A. show signing books .
I have the Andy Southard Hot Rod of the fifties book that I take everywhere there is Hot Rodders that have left a significant mark for signatures, to which has over a hundred and Pat told me that was one of his favorites, So he has signed it.....twice! Now I am after the Choppers............hint hint.
The Jalopy Journal
