Folks Of Interest R.I.P. Albert "Bud" Drake

I recieved the sad news this morning that my dear old friend Albert Drake had passed this past week. Al was everybodys friend and most of you are aware of his contributions to our hobby and are familiar with his articles and books about all of us and our Hot Rod adventures over the years. Al was truly a Hot Rodders Hot Rodder! Al was a very private person and has requested that there be no obituary or service. He would probably be a little pissed at me for posting this but I guess if he is he can take it up with me later. There are many more things that could be said about Al but out of respect for his wishes I will keep this short. Myself as well many others will surly miss his wisdom, knowledge and humor about all things Hot Rod. R.I.P. my old friend, you will be greatly missed by us all! God Speed....see you on the flip side. G.....

 

Sad news, I only knew Al through corresponding with him but it was always great to get a note from him no matter how brief. He was very happy to receive the Chicago Tribune article on the Orange Crate that I sent him as it mentioned he had owned the ‘32 Tudor before Bob Tindle acquired it. Al had a way with words and obviously he was a fount of knowledge that he shared through the books he wrote.
Godspeed Albert.

 

Very sorry to hear this.

 

Sorry to hear that Gary, Al and I got to be good friends when I started the Track Roadster building. He was my # 1 promoter, and through him and Pat Mcfail I got to know so many from his era and a little further back. I knew he was in bad shape, as Marlo had planned on bringing him to P-Trans, and he just couldn't come. Of all his books, the Slo Poks book that he co-authored with Don Pennington is right up there near the top. He had a following world wide, and told the true hot rod story of this country. R.I.P. old friend.

 

RIP, he influenced me through his book "Street was fun in 51' "

 

My condolences to his family and friends.

 

So sorry mate, he will be sorely missed by many Aussies too. From my first visit nearly 30 years ago, it was the highlight of our trips to fit in an Albert Drake visit either at Portland Swap, or later at one of his favourite burger joints on Powell or Foster Blvd's. Won't be the same next time. Will miss him dearly.

 

R I P

 

Al's compiling of early hot rod information has been one of the single biggest influences on the direction my interests with old cars. I've always said to anyone interested in early hot rod history to buy Al's book "FLAT OUT". everything he wrote was worth its weight in gold. Unfortunately I was never able to meet him in person but I am sure glad I was able to correspond a few times and thank him for all of his efforts. Rest in peace Al! Thanks!

 

A true loss, I always enjoyed his writings.

 

Sad to hear of his passing - In a strange twist of fate, two days ago I went into the study and grabbed his fantastic book 'Flatout' for the first time in many years and had a good read - the way he wrote about the exploits of rodders from the golden era was encapsulating.
RIP sir.

 

Sad to hear, talked to him extensively several times down at the Portland swap meet. Just finished reading his latest book “Reflections in a Spinner Hubcap” a month or so ago. He was a great writer, if you want to know how it was back in the day that’s a book to read. His book “Flat Out” is a must read. My condolences to his family and friends.

 

I have a couple of his books: "Portland Pictorial" as well as an autographed copy of "Peter Sukalac- Photo Journalist" and like most of you have read lots of his material over the years. He definitely held a special place in hot rodding history; he will be missed and fondly remembered.

 

I wish I had kept in better touch with Al. We used to talk about my 40 Merc (an old Portland area car). He pictured it a couple times is his books. His ability to recall cars, people and trivial facts was uncanny and he was just a really good guy.

Mick

 

Al, selling books at our local Wed night cruise.

 

What a drag- he will be missed.

 

We (my wife and I) are so sad to hear this. We met Al 17 or 18 years ago at the Portland swap meet and tried to keep in touch with him ever since. Over the years we've purchased almost everything he's written (including non-auto related) and enjoyed it all. We last visited him about a year ago and had a great chat with him while completing our library of his works. He graciously signed them all for us.
He really was a wealth of knowledge and had a memory like an elephant, although he could never remember my name but ALWAYS remembered my wife's (she's quite attractive). I think he only tolerated me because of her, and when I called him on it (jokingly) he never denied it! We always enjoyed the time we spent with him.
Not only was he a great chronicler of hot rod history in the Northwest, he was a truly nice guy. Our sincerest condolences to Moss and his family. He will be missed, but not forgotten... Thanks for posting Gary.

 

Rest in Peace Al

 

had to google him, looks like many of his books are available on Amazon.... seems like too many of the guys who have "been there, done that" are leaving us.

 

R.I.P. Mr. Drake.. & THANK YOU!!


-Dave

 

Sad to hear, Like a lot of other folks I met him at the Portland Swapmeet or the Portland indoor car shows. I had read his writing for years before that.
His writing and stories will live on forever and always be a go to reference for rodding "back in the day" in the Portland Area.

 

Well said Gary, I am sorry for your loss and equally sorry I did not encounter him in my travels.

 

R.I.P. Al, thank you for your books, a wealth of information and inspiration.

 

The real deal. R.I.P. My sympathies to family and friends.

 

Sorry Gary , not a fast reader, the bit I wrote about Al "Bud" Drake I will not re -track, but I so liked your terrific tribute to him..

He was a quiet , knowledgeable voice in the Hot Rod world , I will miss him..

 

Fountain of Knowledge... You Bet!!!... Great Guy... You Bet!!! ... I talked to him a few times about 30 years ago. looking for info about an old Portland area hot rod I had bought... even though the car had been off the road for decades at the time, I did not even have a chance to finish describing it when he not only told me all about it , and the previous owner but he had written a brief article about it in one of his magazine columns years earlier... R.I.P.

 

Somewhere here I have his article in TRJ chronicling the history of the Orange Crate, his writing was excellent. Sorry to hear he has left us, hope he is catching up with the others, and he's probably getting answers to unanswered questions while he's at it.

 

I really enjoyed his books,and articles. R. I. P.

 

He was one of a few owners of the Orange Crate, before Bob Tindle had Keith Randol, make it what it is, in 1961.