Art & Inspiration The Choir

Doc is a true ruler.

Amazing work by Norm. The base alone is impressive.

Goofy, Checkers, the Pirate, & the Red/Black two-tone are stunners.

JH

 

I dig the one with cigar the most I think. I have always wondered and you guys could tell me, What does Norm make these from? Handcarved, one off resin cast? Sweet bunch all of them!

 

He works mainly with Sycamore wood.

JH

 

Thanks for the photos and you are right about them being difficult to shoot. Since you were right on top of them I thought they would show infinite detail, but it's apparent that these must be seen in person to be truly appreciated.

It was really cool to spend some time with Norm. His talent for carving these skulls is too much. What amazed me was that each one is totally different. With a commission such as this, it must be difficult to not be tainted by the details of the previous carving. You know that these things take a while to do and ideas for the next one must pop into your head from time to time so how do you keep them unique?

I think my favorite one is Laffite, the pirate.
I can't remember all the names, but there is Gearhead, Winston, Topper, Snake, Goofy, Laffite,,,,,,,,

 

Nothing short of amazing indeed.
Hey Doc, you wanna tell us the names of them all??? I can't remember them all.

 

Nothing short of amazing! Grabowski Rules!

 

Doc really is quite an amazing guy. Had the pleasure of meeting him at the Roud Up last yoear, and am looking forward to crossing paths again.

............and I MUST see that infamous art collection!!!!!!!

 

There is none better than Doc! I was wondering what was taking so long with a post about the Christmas Party, I was aobut to e-mail him to make sure he didn't have another setback like he usually does....

 

Norm is the man.

 

That art collection looks amazing. I see the couple of weesners in the back round there. Great Stuff

 

Those shift knobs are cool! I have seen of his shift knobs before, but for some reason never really appreciated them until I saw these.

 

I noticed those as well!

 

Normie Poo has more talent than 100 of us lumped together, but it's the Ch***is Research digger that I'd like more info on.

 

Very very cool.

Has Doc got the last fanblade for his pinstriped fan yet? I'll bet if he posted a model number someone could dig one up for him... or make him a new one.

 

Doc's fan is complete. A new one was made.

 

Absolutely fantastic!

 

Yep, It was great to see the choir home. Norm really worked hard to make each skull very different. We decided early on that they each had to have their own personality ,or what was the point. They all come off so that they can take turns going for a ride. I think Goofy is gonna ride shotgun in the '33 first. As requested, the names are: Topper,Checkers,Snake,Goofy,Winston,Lafitte,The Red Head,Maynard,Gearhead,S***ch,Stretch, and Sensai.
My favorite part of the party was having all my friends there to hang out with. I love that pic of Bleed " I got my mojo workin'." HAHA

Doc.

 

Someday I gotta get down there to see Doc's collections.
A guy with that much cool stuff would be easy to hate, But Doc is just such I damn nice guy.... Sheesh!

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Norm once when he came to an indoor show up here in Toronto, an absolute pleasure to meet him. I got him to sign one of his posters for me and its the only autograph I have, Im not one for collecting autographs and I meet alot of pro athletes through work but I had to have Norms. I asked him what kind of wood he uses to carve with but I cant remember for the life of me I think sycamore maybe? It was funny too because we talked more about beer than cars, it seems Norm took a liking to Creemore Springs while he was up north of the border

 

It's a 1960 Ch***is Research TE:440. It was built by the late Rich Riddell to show car standards. He told me that he spent 10 years finding all the parts to get it to this stage. 100 inch W.B. and 1370 pounds.

The motor is a 1956 Olds 324. Mondello 394 heads,Ansen aluminum rods,J.E. forged pistons 7.2 C.R.,Engle roller cam,Crankshaft Co. chromed crank,Scott super slot fuel injection,GMC 671 blower,Vertex mag.,Gotha rocker arms etc.

The car is set up direct drive running to a 1950 Olds rear end with a Mickey Thompson mag. center section,4.30 gears,Donovan axles and Airheart disc breaks.

Rich built the car and then sent it to the NHRA museum for a while. I've owned it since then. My goal is to take it to the HAMB drags and let her stretch her legs a bit.

 

Those shift knobs are really very well done. A buddy of mine has two of them and they are fantastic.

 

Ok, Now I gotta ask, I know Chaz did a special carving to go along with Norm's choir, It was a carving of Norm's head. Did anyone take a picture of it? I saw it before it was finished, would like to see the finale. I talked to Doc. and he said Norm liked it and signed it for him. I love the whole setup of the choir. cool to have such a collection.

 

That was a great time! Thanks so much Doc.....

 

Norm loved Chaz's work. I think he knew what went into it since he's a carver himself. Kerry has some pics of it, but he hasn't sent them to me yet. I don't know if Ryan took any of it or not. Hopefully I'll have them soon so we can post them.

Doc.

 

Norm, just gave me a call to tell me about his latest work, Doc you are one lucky guy that is amazing, Norm has amazing talent and is one of the nicest people I know.

 

Maybe he was constipated,...that stuff is a great laxative!

 

Hey Doc: Congrats on your new NORM piece "The Choir". I've known Normie too many years and was actually at his home in September and saw most of your masterpiece in the works. He had all the skulls 99% complete and had just started on the base. He called today and told me to look at the pics posted on HAMB. This is his best to date and something I'm sure you will treasure very much. I have 2 of his skulls, #25 cane and he built the trunk (walnut) on my 32 Studebaker President way back in 1974! Hope to meet you soon. I'm located 90 miles north of Memphis in the Missouri bootheel and go to most of the major events. Click on 32STUPRES and look at my photo album for pics of some more of his works.



Since I had to struggle to find it...maybe the link below will help others.



http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=3410