long time lurker goes legit-intro

[weekender]

Hello, my name is Tommy McCray and I am a HOT RODDER! Oops, wrong meeting.I am 59 years old, a retired telephone engineer and ex-screen printer. I spent 28 years with G.T.E. My first hot rod was a 40 Ford standard coupe that a navy guy brought back to Mo.from Calif. I bought it in 1961 for $150.00 It had a 48 merc flatmotor, edelbrock alum heads, cam,Eddie Meyers two deuce intake, fenton headers, blue tuck & roll and reversed spring eyes on the rear.Blew that up & put a 301 sbc,Jahns pistons, Duntov 097,Edelbrock # tows,corvette dual point dist.and valve covers. After that I bought a 51 Henry-J and went drag racing. I set the 1/8th mile Natl. record in C/Altered Oct 10,1965 at Pacific, Mo. (That strip is now a subdivision) We, my buddy Shade Tree did it again in Nov. at the old K.C.I.R. strip. (also gone) Then came a family @ I parked it in the barn lot from 67 to 76 when I put it on the street and took it to the N.S.R.A. Natls. in Tulsa. (N.S.R.A. got tired of trying to kick me out. I have it titled as a 48 Henry-J) ASiince then, nostalgia drags, HAMB drags or just a cruise is what I enjoy. Someone once posted "who are your heroes". I think it very important to have "HEROS". (A) My wife is my number 1 hero. (B) Kenny Baker, (Choprods) because he makes a living playing with hot rods @ has chopped more tops than all the california dudes. Iv'e known him since he owned that blue model A coupe with the straight axle. He is the one who told me about the HAMB. (C) Big Daddy Roth- a true gentleman. I got to know him ewhen I was a vendor at KKOA @ NSRA events. He painted a for sale sign in the rear window of my 36 dodge p.u. in about 85 or 86 and wish I had changed it out before I sold it! (D) Felix Sebates-(#40 Sterling Marlin's team owner) He came here from cuba with nothing. Went to school @ sold pots and pans in 60-61. We both were arrested for "PEELING OUT" of the local drive-in, June 26,1961. I was in my 57 ford- he was in his 49-51 dodge/ply. He had told my good friend Richard Lohse, in broken cuban, "Reechard, can you use that fire wrench to remove my muffler? I want to be loud." We both paid the price. $10.00 was a lot of money in 1961. Now he is a multi-Millionaire. I just realized last year that my good friend "WEEDS" was supposed to appear in court that day but failed to appear. Did'nt know him then but went on to become good friends. (E) Ken McIntire- another true gentleman. I met him at the Gateway Gasser Gathering in 99. He now owns the Midwest Willys Club @ has turned his old willys gasser into the Big John Mazmanian AA/Gas supercharged car. He gets paid to tour the country and do what he loves at the same time. (F) Jim Ewing- Superbell, long gone friend, (G) Gray Baskerville- drove his 32 every day. (g) Glen Sharp- sold bolts at NSRA events.(gave his right arm for his country!) (H) My son Tim- with $100.00 and a dream, set out for atlanta to start a new life.(now works for Otis Elevator in Augusta.) (I) my daughter Tammy- Dirt Track Champion 2001 at Callaway Raceways in the cruiser class. (J) Jerry Branson (Joplin) drove his Henry-J EVERY DAY. I miss him. The list goes on and on. I have 6 children and 10 grandchildren and a wonderful wife who supports what ever I do. They are all my HEROES! Enough for now! I might not know how to post, but I sure know how to LURK! I met a lot of good people at the HAMB drags last year. Took me back to the 60's. Thanks Ryan for the best day ever. Good friends, good food, and good fun! I will post a pic as soon as I learn how. bftwcs has been a big help getting this far. Yeah, I'm a newbie, jump on. See you at MO-KAN. Tommy McCray, hot rodder to the end!

[Tman]

Velkommen! I happen to be the dude that cooked the pig at MOKAN last year. It was fun seeing you run that HenryJ!

[Grumpy]

WOW! feel like I've known ya for years by that intro! welcome to the jungle!

[fab32]

Very nice intro and a history lesson to boot. Welcome!!

Frank

[fab32]

BTW, I'm 59 also. We've had a lot of road roll under our tires.

Frank

[hankcash]

wow...
are you looking to adopt?
can I call you dad?

I don't even know you and I already like you...
nice intro....
let us know if you have ?'s about pic posting...
welcome...
HC

[hotrodladycrusr]

Tommy, welcome to the HAMB. I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your good buddy. It was great to see the two of you go head to head at the HAMB drags. I hope this photo brings back some great memories for you from that day. It does me. Looking forward to seeing you once again in August.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/image_uploads/365215-3f4a32b867847d41.jpg

[redmeat]

<font color="red">You sound like a real stand up guy.....would love to meet ya someday..WELCOME

R E D M E A T </font>

[Assdragger]

Well it`s about damn time, I`d give ya a little more crap but I`m headed out the door for the riverport swap!

Welcome Tommy....Finally!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Skate Fink]

Damn Tommy......you're the real deal! Great intro. You said you don't post much, but when you do.....you do it right!! You are at a point in your life that you realize that none of up are here forever. We have to enjoy it while we can. Sorry for YOUR loss with Jerry's passing. Thanks for stepping up and look forward to hearing MANY of your stories as you have time to share......... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[fuel pump]

Old farts rule! Welcome. Don't tell anyone but I'll be 60 next month. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[randy]

[ QUOTE ]
It was great to see the two of you go head to head at the HAMB drags. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/image_uploads/365215-3f4a32b867847d41.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Who won?

-r

[hankcash]

Straight up 60's postcard style......

[roadstar]

Welcome to the Lineup Tommy. I'm sure you will fit right in.
Butt......This place sucks you in and then you can't let it go. You will be sighning on in the middel of the night when you can't sleep. You will crave the HAMB when you are out of town and away for the computer. Your life will never be the same. HAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHA

[bufordtjustice]

Welcome! Its awesome to have some real cool guys on here that actually did it in the day! Enjoy the HAMB!
Greg

[marq]

Welcome weekender,crikey we only wanted an intro not your life story,thats gotta be the longest intro i have ever seen .but seriously nice to have you on board .......Marq

[40StudeDude]

Ten bucks WAS a lot of money in 1961...I know I paid out a lot of those $10 fines (plus $5 court costs) and accumulated a lot of "points" on my newly acquired license...hell, ten bucks is still a lot of money today...and no matter what anyone says, W.E., growing up in the Midwest taught us so many more life lessons it's hard to remember them all...I grew up just north of you...Iowa...never had a regret about that! Remember when we....ahhhh, that's a story for another time...

Anyway, Tom, FWIW, welcome to The House of HAMB from another old Midwesterner...
R-

[Roothawg]

Hello, my name is Tommy McCray and I am a HOT RODDER! Oops, wrong meeting.I am 59 years old, a retired telephone engineer and ex-screen printer. I spent 28 years with G.T.E.

My first hot rod was a 40 Ford standard coupe that a navy guy brought back to Mo.from Calif. I bought it in 1961 for $150.00 It had a 48 merc flatmotor, edelbrock alum heads, cam,Eddie Meyers two deuce intake, fenton headers, blue tuck &amp; roll and reversed spring eyes on the rear.Blew that up &amp; put a 301 sbc,Jahns pistons, Duntov 097,Edelbrock # tows,corvette dual point dist.and valve covers.

After that I bought a 51 Henry-J and went drag racing. I set the 1/8th mile Natl. record in C/Altered Oct 10,1965 at Pacific, Mo. (That strip is now a subdivision) We, my buddy Shade Tree did it again in Nov. at the old K.C.I.R. strip. (also gone) Then came a family @ I parked it in the barn lot from 67 to 76 when I put it on the street and took it to the N.S.R.A. Natls. in Tulsa. (N.S.R.A. got tired of trying to kick me out. I have it titled as a 48 Henry-J) ASiince then, nostalgia drags, HAMB drags or just a cruise is what I enjoy.

Someone once posted "who are your heroes". I think it very important to have "HEROS". (A) My wife is my number 1 hero. (B) Kenny Baker, (Choprods) because he makes a living playing with hot rods @ has chopped more tops than all the california dudes. Iv'e known him since he owned that blue model A coupe with the straight axle. He is the one who told me about the HAMB. (C) Big Daddy Roth- a true gentleman. I got to know him ewhen I was a vendor at KKOA @ NSRA events. He painted a for sale sign in the rear window of my 36 dodge p.u. in about 85 or 86 and wish I had changed it out before I sold it! (D) Felix Sebates-(#40 Sterling Marlin's team owner) He came here from cuba with nothing. Went to school @ sold pots and pans in 60-61. We both were arrested for "PEELING OUT" of the local drive-in, June 26,1961. I was in my 57 ford- he was in his 49-51 dodge/ply. He had told my good friend Richard Lohse, in broken cuban, "Reechard, can you use that fire wrench to remove my muffler? I want to be loud." We both paid the price. $10.00 was a lot of money in 1961. Now he is a multi-Millionaire.

I just realized last year that my good friend "WEEDS" was supposed to appear in court that day but failed to appear. Did'nt know him then but went on to become good friends. (E) Ken McIntire- another true gentleman. I met him at the Gateway Gasser Gathering in 99. He now owns the Midwest Willys Club @ has turned his old willys gasser into the Big John Mazmanian AA/Gas supercharged car. He gets paid to tour the country and do what he loves at the same time. (F) Jim Ewing- Superbell, long gone friend, (G) Gray Baskerville- drove his 32 every day. (g) Glen Sharp- sold bolts at NSRA events.(gave his right arm for his country!) (H) My son Tim- with $100.00 and a dream, set out for atlanta to start a new life.(now works for Otis Elevator in Augusta.) (I) my daughter Tammy- Dirt Track Champion 2001 at Callaway Raceways in the cruiser class. (J) Jerry Branson (Joplin) drove his Henry-J EVERY DAY. I miss him. The list goes on and on.

I have 6 children and 10 grandchildren and a wonderful wife who supports what ever I do. They are all my HEROES! Enough for now! I might not know how to post, but I sure know how to LURK! I met a lot of good people at the HAMB drags last year. Took me back to the 60's.

Thanks Ryan for the best day ever. Good friends, good food, and good fun! I will post a pic as soon as I learn how. bftwcs has been a big help getting this far. Yeah, I'm a newbie, jump on. See you at MO-KAN. Tommy McCray, hot rodder to the end!


There, that's a little easier to read. Welcome. Hope to see ya at the HAMB drags. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Stewed]

Imagine that MY HERO talking about who his hero's are!!Glad to see you got in the game like youv'e been talking about forever.I guess if you have somthing to say worth listening to they don't bash you as bad huh!Thank's for the compliment and air up the tires on the trailer,I'm moving into the house with the shop this week and need some toys to cut on!!!

[McGrath]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Good one Root, I was going to give him some shit about the "Giant Paragraph", but you beat me to it.

[weekender]

Thanks for the kind words. I got sucked into this thing a couple of years ago. Feel like I know a lot of you personally. I did meet Tman, Roothawg, Stan292, Samiam, flat-top,Denise,Deyomatic,Farmall pete, and many others at the HAMB drags.I'm the one with the watermelon.

As for the long paragraph, it looked good when I typed it but looked different when printed.( also was so nervous that I used the @ for the &amp; sign.) Thanks Root for the re-do. I loved the post about proper punctuation and spelling, and went on to hose up my first post. I'll try to do better next time.

[plmczy]

Welcome Tommy, sounds like you have a lot of stories to tell. I just wish I have a lot of stories to tell when I reach 59. later plmczy

[weekender]

BTW Roadstar, bout went crazy this winter in Florida with out a computer. went to the library once a week to get my fix.

Randy, I won the first round, Jerry won the second round, and I won the third round. Most fun I've had since my son and I raced in the nostalgia drags in Wentzville, Mo. or Tulsa in about 85 or 86. Jerry was building a new motor. I think he was trying to put it on me this Aug. Now we will never know. It's all about fun, ask Sam.

[hotrodladycrusr]

Tommy, FartCat gave me a video tape of the HAMB Drags yesterday for me to send to Jerry's family. Not sure if I should send it to his wife or sister. Maybe you would like a copy as well, if you don't have one already. If I send it to you, you could make a copy for whoever in his family that might want one and keep this one for yourself. If you'd like me to send it to you, just send me a PM with your address and I'll get it out ASAP.

We watched the video again yesterday as we were building a BBQ trailer in the garage. Never get tired of seeing my HAMB buds drag racing! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[McGrath]

[ QUOTE ]
As for the long paragraph, it looked good when I typed it but looked different when printed

[/ QUOTE ]


You have to hit the "enter" key twice to leave a blank space between paragraphs. If you don't it will just lump it all together.

Now all we need to do is teach Weeds how to spell.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[atch]

tommy/weekender,

welcome. i knew it'd get to you sooner or later. ya just can't lurk around here forever. eventually ya gotta jump in and become a part of the conversation and not just a listener.

the pic above is the wallpaper on my computer here at work. i'll be looking at it every day for a while (thanx again to whoever sent me the hi-rez version; purple, i think).

you've lurked here long enough to know what's going on here. now jump in and share some of your expertise and experience.

[oldandkrusty]

Hello Tommy, welcome to the HAMB. The variety of personalities that show up here is unbelievable!
However, the one thing in common for all of us is our un-quenchable thirst for things automotive. From deuce coupes to Henry J's, we love it all.
I especially liked your list of heroes. The people you describe could easily have been included in my list. I don't mean your wife, of course. I am referring to the list, in general, which includes everyday people who have a lasting impact on our own lives. Thanks for jumping in and posting. Glad to meet you.

[flt-blk]

Welcome aboard,
Thanks for the watermellon, I'll try to do better with the
introductions this year at the HAMB Drags.

Has everyone filled in their timing tags and rivited them
their dash?
TZ

[hotrodladycrusr]

Mine went in my scrapbook but the NEXT one will go on Big Olds http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[atch]

tommy,

i was just looking at that pic again and noticed that the headers are open. i didn't notice that when we were there. i'll have to pay more attention this year. i've always wanted to know what your car sounds like uncorked.

btw; sent you a pm. it's time you learned about them too.

[porknbeaner]

I don't have any heros, just friends. Where I grew up the ground had a tendency to shake and its just too damn hard to stay on the pedestal.
Anyway looks like you have near as many friends as I do.
welcome friend,
The PknBner http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Flathead Youngin']

bttt for the guy!!!

cool car! wish i could have see ya run....

[TagMan]

Welcome. Glad to see more young fellas on here (60 next month!!:D)

[Django]

TagMan are you even paying attention? You posted in his obituary thread less than a minute before you posted here.

Godspeed Tommy.

[51 pickem up]

Thanks for the kind words. I got sucked into this thing a couple of years ago. Feel like I know a lot of you personally. I did meet Tman, Roothawg, Stan292, Samiam, flat-top,Denise,Deyomatic,Farmall pete, and many others at the HAMB drags.I'm the one with the watermelon.

As for the long paragraph, it looked good when I typed it but looked different when printed.( also was so nervous that I used the @ for the &amp; sign.) Thanks Root for the re-do. I loved the post about proper punctuation and spelling, and went on to hose up my first post. I'll try to do better next time.welcome tommy
i don't have some problem reading your post.

hit the enter twice


heard every word you said.

hit enter key again twice.

did i done alright.

hit enter key twice again.

al sisson

hit it twice again

oh the hell with it

mosheim,tn.

ps you talk good afar as i'm concerned.:D

[Mule Farmer]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89860 this is an old post you might want to read this post

welcome tommy
i don't have some problem reading your post.

hit the enter twice


heard every word you said.

hit enter key again twice.

did i done alright.

hit enter key twice again.

al sisson

hit it twice again

oh the hell with it

mosheim,tn.

ps you talk good afar as i'm concerned.:D