I grew up close to his house, he was always nice to the kids that would come around when one of the nitro cars would fire! His house was close to the Jr. High school and you could here the fuel cars while in a cl***! He built some cool hot rods over the last 20 years or so. The 46 Tudor was my favorite. https://www.nhra.com/news/2017/racer-s-s****book-jerry-ruth
When I worked at FOSS Maritime Co. I displayed a very cool vintage Jerry Ruth poster on our parts counter at the stores department for the shipyard. R.I.P. Jerry.
I’ve met the man a time or two and I found him to be a very interesting guy, he could bench race with the best of them. He even helped the family of one of my old friends out when he p***ed. God bless him and Godspeed.
I was around Lee Beard before he bought Ruth's flopper. He told some stories that were "quite entertaining" about Ruth. The Swindal ch***is was very copied. It also worked very well. That basic design was in my last alky car. R.I.P. Jerry.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Jerry. Before building my 34, I owned/showed a rare '66 Rivira GS factory dual quad car, with only 60 thou original miles. It was painted in a new tri coat red, a mile deep in color. I was offered $$$$$$$ to show it, by the local tribe at their fireworks stand in Tacoma, as was Jerry offered to show his sedan. Thereby Jerry and I knocked around a couple of afternoons back in the day. This was after his stumble with the law, and I found him to a standup guy, and enjoyed his stories and celebrity a Lot. In those days. The local cruse in place was Big Daddy's in Auburn. I mentioned to Jerry. He started showing up there once in a while, and most especially ehen the NW Nationals were in town. Sad news, but my belief tells me, it is okay, we will meet again in a much better place.
The Jalopy Journal
