SBCs, Ryan's editorial and an old farts perspective.

I like SJ stuff. Did I tell you that already?

 

Tom Hinkle sold me my very first car, a '39 Chrysler coupe, for $14.00 as I remember. I never got it running but I sure learned how to beat out dents on it. It's a good thing that I went in the Navy in '63. Donna Haynes' old step daddy was wanting some of my blood! I'm not real good with that BLOOD thing.

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Charlie, the guy who works at Gene Winfield's shop in Mojave told me that ol' Tom is still in Palmdale and still messing with old cars. Got about 2 teeth left he said!!

 

Hey, I'm sticking a SBC in my project. Cheap and solid rebuild with many resources available. Yeah, I suppose the "lack of effort" by some folks simply plugging in a TPI crate job in their latest street rod can seem uninspired, but mouse motors do have soul as well as the ability to be squeezed of serious power.

I'll go ahead and say something that no true GEARHEAD would ever say; I'm in this whole thing for the aesthetic first and the grunt a close second. If it were the other way around for me, I would find the newest, most aerodynamic shell and stuff it with the latest in hi-tech stump pulling technology that I could afford (or finance) and spend every moment lying in bed thinking of ways to squeeze out any extra bits of power. Don't misunderstand, I like the power, smell, and the whole sensory package deal that comes with a vehicle, but, I think, "form follows function" is an overly simplified term. I like an object the most when it blurs form and function. A piece that defies one to say which element took precedence. Perhaps 51% F? and 49% F?

As far as Ryan's editorial comments towards "theme" cars. I agree for the most part. When someone takes design cues too literally, the end result can be and usually are silly to say the least. But, I think there's a place for literal adaptations, maybe in the smallest of numbers, but.....
I think Ryan may be referring to Foose's airplane inspired hot rod, in particular, the nose. Yeah, it's easy to play it off as an overly literal exercise, and I'll admit, I don't know why, but I like it. I think it works with this particular car. When Chip is not bound by outside forces, his work is awe inspiring, he rules. In general, "themes" are a crutch for poor design, but occasionally, if looked at as a challenge, it can make for an exciting and interesting end result. Simple, clean and timeless is a fail safe way to go and a sure winner, but I sure like it when someone mixes it up now and again....

 

I got out of the Navy in January of '66 and the first day I was back home at in Bell, California I was just walking around town checking things out and just two blocks from my apartment was a store on the corner at Gage ave. In the show windows there was a built flathead, a blown chrysler and a couple mannequins with firesuits and helmets on, so I just had to go in and see what this was all about! Two hours later, after meeting some guys who are legends today, I was hired as a counterman at Bell Auto Parts! That day I had no idea the great people that I would be working with. The manager was a guy named Kenny Parks, brother of Wally. One of the special order guys was a man named Jot Horne, as in HORNE manifolds. Also in the office was Bill Hardison, a man with a BAD 409 in a black '58 Impala. Chuck Strader was the front counter manager (future owner of Bell Auto Parts). After only six months I was promoted to the office and all stock orders and some of the special orders. Rich Lenarz was at the desk right next to mine and he made sure all the orders to be shipped got out on time.

I still to this day stay in contact with the guys who are still with us. Kenny Parks passed on in 2005, Rich passed on a few years back, but some of us are still hanging on. I have some wonderful memories of the "guys" and I must mention a VERY special man who made sure that we all were like one big happy family........Mr. Roy Richter, owner of Bell Auto Parts, Bell Helmets and Cragar Industries!

Like Jimmy Buffett said in one of his songs........"Stories we could tell"

Wolfie

 

Ol' Tom had a nasty, potty mouth. Embarrassed even me! That's why all of them teeth rotted out! I looked at Wolfie's profile and guess what I found. Memories of Littlerock and that black fastback Olds with a blower that we were all ga ga over!

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