Whatever happened to "Fat Jack" Robinson?

[Fat Hack]

Back in the 80s, when I was getting into cars with all the enthusiasm of a high-school gearhead, one of my car-building heroes was Fat Jack (or Rotund Robinson). He ran a shop out in Hawaiian Gardens, CA and churned out some cool rods back then.

Pictured here with Buttera posed next to a cool little modified they worked together on for Strohs and Hot Rod magazine back in 1983, the two gurus graced the pages of Hot Rod magazine. Buttera is still around and gets some ink in the mags now and then...but whatever happened to Fat Jack?

<img src=http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid87/p2c874e08fb3fd81de83eca16de5910c1/faa6c230.jpg>

Anyone know????

[Sam F.]

didnt he build a SWEET 46-48ish ford coupe? i think it was tourquise and did the magazine circuit thing??? very sweet,

[FrameDragger]

Don't know him too well, but I see him at a lot of shows out here... I can't put my finger on any of his work...

[Assdragger]

His Fat Attack 47? was redish orange and was on the cover of Hot Rod with the worlds fastest street rod, it was a black 40 Ford sedan with a blower. Those boy`s didnt mess around. I think that Hot Rod cover was in 85, I still have it in one of my magazine piles....somewhere>>>?

[Unkl Ian]

What's Buttera up to lately? Still building bikes?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

He's still building awesome cars. He's also one of the "Second Generation" Early Times members (which was the most productive). Shame on "FrameDragger" for not knowing one of the E.T.'s most famous former members (check out the plaque in the bathroom at the next meeting- it was on his car on it's last run upside down through the lights). But to quote one current E.T. member as said to one of the former members who tired of the B.S.- "You should come to a meeting- we don't even talk about cars some times!" The guy thought to himself- "EXACTLY why I'm not a member anymore!"

[Rocky]

Seems like after Fat Jack wadded his orange 46 up in a ball on the "big end" of the dragstrip, we never heard anything more from him....I liked his approach to building a fat fendered ford.....all cattle and no hat.

[FrameDragger]

Jim - "Fat Jack's Dues" I've seen it... If I can remember the lore... I believe he flipped out on one of the wives in the club for letting a '55 Chevy into a Pre-'48 Event... Is that right?

M-

[fab32]

Someone posted Fat Jack's latest twin engined flathead dragster here at a recent event coverage. He has a going business evolving around flathead performance.

Frank

[Tman]

Fat Jack is a different guy than Flathead Jack who owns the dragster

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I keep a picture of two great friends and two of my greatest idols together on my desk- Fat Jack and Gray Baskerville- chillin' at the L.A. Roadsters Show. Meeting them both as a kid was like meeting Pete Rose &amp; Reggie Jackson. Every other word from Fat Jack's mouth is the F-Word, and the greatest sport of the Early Times Club in the 70's (at the time the builders of the greatest cars in the country) would be to rip a car to death right in front of the owner. Those guys were ruthless!!! Fat Jack &amp; John Buttera went the "most billet", but Fat Jack's car were always traditional on the outside, and always the LOWEST in the country- WAYYYY before airbags. Most of his cars had steelies when Cragers and Tru-Spokes were the deal.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Yes, FD, there are enough Fat Jack stories to fill a few books!

[fab32]

OOPS!!! Wrong Jack. Sorry for the mistake;

Frank

[FrameDragger]

E.T. still has some players... most notably Richard Graves and Mark Morton... while I am not a member (I go to a bunch of their meetings though)for the record, I have really never heard anything non-car related come out of any of the meetings, except for the never ending obituaries of the greats of the Hot Rod World, who were either members or friends of the club...

M-

[BigJim394]

Did I read in the late 80's that he was also doing some really high end ($$$) paint jobs on some exotic sports cars (Ferrari's, Lambos, etc.)?


Wonder if most younger HAMBers know what the name of the Early Times club is supposedly really all about?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

FD- I obviously mean no disrespect to my greatest heroes (having even urged my dad to recently FINALLY join)- but these are the guys that in the '70s were setting the style of street rodding across the entire country. Those members from the "hey day" all built their own cars and were put under a microscope constantly. With guys like Don Thelen (builder of many Oakland winners and the ZZ Top "Eliminator" Coupe), Jim "Jake" Jacobs of obvious Pete &amp; Jake fame, "Lil" John Buttera, "Fat Jack" Robinson, Del Austin and a few more guys that Boyd copied or had them build behind the scenes made the E.T.s "THE" guys.

[FrameDragger]

Jim - None Taken. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif You outta come by yourself... Beers are $.50.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I've been by MANY times (like the week Bill died) but working up North now keeps me from hanging out. My new editorial is about Bill, there's a picture of the church with your car in it. I always thought you didn't really know who I was, but this confirms it http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Sorry I didn't clear it up earlier. My dad is the fire chief, Pat Aust, we've hung out with the Early Times my entire life.

[FrameDragger]

I just thought the last name was a coincidence until now...

I know who you are now...

Sorry...

M-

[32jones]

he's just as feisty as ever he's still an outrider (mabey the oldest car club alive est. 1932) still builden em on the ground and bad as you can get em. far as justifiably rippen bunk apart johnny rotten robinson can handle that aspect no problem thank you very much.

[29bowtie]

What's Buttera up to lately? Still building bikes?

Do a search,he's a HAMB member.(lil' john)We're still lucky to have him,since he's still recovering from a brain tumor.Very talented genius,who's influenced so many of us,hope all is going well.

[29bowtie]

Did I read in the late 80's that he was also doing some really high end ($$$) paint jobs on some exotic sports cars (Ferrari's, Lambos, etc.)?


Wonder if most younger HAMBers know what the name of the Early Times club is supposedly really all about?

You may be thinking of Junior Conway@Juniors House of Color.

[TREE]

He moved to Defuckintroit, and goes by the name of Fat Hack....;)

[willysguy]

Fat Jack and son John were on an episode of Monster Garage. The one where they chopped and sectioned an early 50's Chevy. Bill Hines, Gene Winfield and Dick Dean were also in on the build. Jack and son did the chassis work. Jack's shop also turned out a 40 Ford phaeton that was in The RJ a while back.

[noboD]

I've still got my T shirt with the orange coupe on it. The Fat Attack!!

[willysguy]

I've still have mine as well. Bought it at the 88 Nats in St.Paul Mn. Jack had his 46 Ford chopped slammed sedan delivery there, built with the salvaged parts from the crashed coupe. I don't think it was ever finished.

[brandon]

I've still have mine as well. Bought it at the 88 Nats in St.Paul Mn. Jack had his 46 Ford chopped slammed sedan delivery there, built with the salvaged parts from the crashed coupe. I don't think it was ever finished.

i was going to ask the same thing....i remember seeing the delivery in primer at super chevy indy in maybe 88....had a shirt with the delivery on it that i bought from him .....the crash of the coupe is on the jackson bros gasser video....also remember some guy with him call uncle wik wik ..???? another whatever happened to deal.....jerry moreland...? seems like he was in hot rod back in the mid 80's every month with some cool stuff....the 40 was one thing.....but seems like he own ohio georges mustang as well...... brandon :D

[saltracer219]

Fat Jack is still in business, Fat Jacks real Hot Rods, I believe in the Long Beach area, his son John(aka Johnny Rotten's) 37 Ford P.U. is on the cover of the recent fall edition of the world of RODS....cool truck! Jack still builds really cool real hot rods.

[Muttley]

I've still got my T shirt with the orange coupe on it. The Fat Attack!!

HAHAHA.............is it one of those sweet '80's style ones with the contrasting color top and stripes around the biceps?

[mtkawboy]

I was at the 85 Nostalgia Nationals in Fremont where Fat Jack & Moreland bought both cars out for the first time to race. Moreland won with the 40 running 9.90's

[A4ord]

The "Fat Attack" was when Pete Chapouris built a '39(purple with flames). Jack Robinson built the '40 around the same time(1985)named Orange Crush,sold it to George Striegal, wrecked in a race at Baylands Park while driven by Dave Condit, et in the low nines.Was it all that long ago. Keep on roddin'

[rusty1]

...Fat Jacks orange 46 coupe was one of my all-time favorites. When his driver lost control at the big end and it rolled itself into a ball, parts of it tripped the timing lights at 10.50 seconds!
...I got it in a video I bought racin and part of the crash sequence. It kept twisting driveshafts like licorice.Awesome car.

[PRE48V-8]

John "Fat Jack" Robinson is still alive and still building cars and manufacturing parts on occasion. He has a shop in a town on the south end of Riverside county called Wildomar in Southern California. His mailing address is "Fat Jack Real Hot Rods & Parts, Inc.", P.O. Box 541, Wildomar, CA 92595. He doesn't have an e-mail account or a land line for his shop. If you'd like to get in touch with him, you can send a message to me (I'm his middle son) or write a letter to the aforementioned address.

My father in law accesses this site quite a bit and informed me yesterday that a few people were wondering whatever happened to my dad (Fat Jack Robinson) which is why I'm responding to the threads posted on the H.A.M.B. (the last time I wrote in was in regards to a 1928 Model A Ford roadster he built in the late seventies for his friend Chuck Hoffmann). I just recently saw the "Fat Attack" orange painted 1946 Ford club coupe (orange toner over white base by Greg Morrell, currently working @ Boyd's shop & on T.V.) listed in an article published in "Hot Rod Magazine" showcasing their list of the 100 most influential cars to date. I assume that the recent interest about my father's whereabouts was generated by this article. Thanks for all of your compliments and cudos for his accomplishments and his reputation (I think..). Yes, his colorful reputation continues to preceed him, even though he's mellowed with age (but not too much).

Currently, he's working on a '55 Chevy nomad ('Vette C4 susp. & LS1 engine), finishing a '57 Chevy Bel Air h.t. w/revamped chassis (4-bar rear, RamJet 502 rat motor & 6-spd. trans.), just restored a '63 Buick Riviera for Chuck Hoffmann (owner of the '28 Ford roadster) and is finishing a '55 Chevy convertible for Danny Shaffer (who he built a yellow pro street '56 Ford F-100 "Big Window" truck that was featured on a 1089 cover of Hot Rod titled "Terror Trucks" with a centerfold spread of it). As for his own rides, he has cars lined up to build to fill two lifetimes, but currently is getting close to finishing a '51 Ford F-1 1/2-ton pickup with a 455 Buick V-8/TH-400 auto. trans., custom chassis, 4-bar rear w/indep. ft. susp. & is in primer close to getting paint on the cab & bed. The replacement for the "Fat Attack" coupe is still around, about 80% complete. It is an all tube chassis and an all steel '47 Ford sedan delivery, chopped and fitted with 2-dr. sedan/club coupe "long" doors and outfitted witht the same engine out of the coupe by George Streigle of Clay Smith Cams, Buena Park, CA. "Uncle Wik-Wik", or Richard Conklin (it was a real hoot to read someone mention that name; it was kind of a joke within our circle of friends and associatates who used to go to the glamis sand dunes) built the chassis and was a partner w/Steve Plueger from the late 60's until around 1979-80 building funny car chassis in Bellflower, CA. Sadly, Richard isn't with us anymore (he passed on about 2 years ago), but his 1948 "98" model Olds is at my dad's shop being worked on for it's new owner Bobby Bojorquez (the guy who own's the recently finished '39 Ford Deluxe 4-dr. convertible sedan featured in the Rodder's Journal a couple of years' ago).

That's about enough for now, I imagine. I hope that this information was helpful to those that were wondering about Fat Jack Robinson's whereabouts, and thanks again for the compliments and interest. I'll be seeing my old man tomorrow, and let him know. Post any other questions if you like, and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.:)

pre48v-8

[PRE48V-8]

John "Fat Jack" Robinson is still alive and still building cars and manufacturing parts on occasion. He has a shop in a town on the south end of Riverside county called Wildomar in Southern California. His mailing address is "Fat Jack Real Hot Rods & Parts, Inc.", P.O. Box 541, Wildomar, CA 92595. He doesn't have an e-mail account or a land line for his shop. If you'd like to get in touch with him, you can send a message to me (I'm his middle son) or write a letter to the aforementioned address.

My father in law accesses this site quite a bit and informed me yesterday that a few people were wondering whatever happened to my dad (Fat Jack Robinson) which is why I'm responding to the threads posted on the H.A.M.B. (the last time I wrote in was in regards to a 1928 Model A Ford roadster he built in the late seventies for his friend Chuck Hoffmann). I just recently saw the "Fat Attack" orange painted 1946 Ford club coupe (orange toner over white base by Greg Morrell, currently working @ Boyd's shop & on T.V.) listed in an article published in "Hot Rod Magazine" showcasing their list of the 100 most influential cars to date. I assume that the recent interest about my father's whereabouts was generated by this article. Thanks for all of your compliments and cudos for his accomplishments and his reputation (I think..). Yes, his colorful reputation continues to preceed him, even though he's mellowed with age (but not too much).

Currently, he's working on a '55 Chevy nomad ('Vette C4 susp. & LS1 engine), finishing a '57 Chevy Bel Air h.t. w/revamped chassis (4-bar rear, RamJet 502 rat motor & 6-spd. trans.), just restored a '63 Buick Riviera for Chuck Hoffmann (owner of the '28 Ford roadster) and is finishing a '55 Chevy convertible for Danny Shaffer (who he built a yellow pro street '56 Ford F-100 "Big Window" truck that was featured on a 1089 cover of Hot Rod titled "Terror Trucks" with a centerfold spread of it). As for his own rides, he has cars lined up to build to fill two lifetimes, but currently is getting close to finishing a '51 Ford F-1 1/2-ton pickup with a 455 Buick V-8/TH-400 auto. trans., custom chassis, 4-bar rear w/indep. ft. susp. & is in primer close to getting paint on the cab & bed. The replacement for the "Fat Attack" coupe is still around, about 80% complete. It is an all tube chassis and an all steel '47 Ford sedan delivery, chopped and fitted with 2-dr. sedan/club coupe "long" doors and outfitted witht the same engine out of the coupe by George Streigle of Clay Smith Cams, Buena Park, CA. "Uncle Wik-Wik", or Richard Conklin (it was a real hoot to read someone mention that name; it was kind of a joke within our circle of friends and associatates who used to go to the glamis sand dunes) built the chassis and was a partner w/Steve Plueger from the late 60's until around 1979-80 building funny car chassis in Bellflower, CA. Sadly, Richard isn't with us anymore (he passed on about 2 years ago), but his 1948 "98" model Olds is at my dad's shop being worked on for it's new owner Bobby Bojorquez (the guy who own's the recently finished '39 Ford Deluxe 4-dr. convertible sedan featured in the Rodder's Journal a couple of years' ago).

That's about enough for now, I imagine. I hope that this information was helpful to those that were wondering about Fat Jack Robinson's whereabouts, and thanks again for the compliments and interest. I'll be seeing my old man tomorrow, and let him know. Post any other questions if you like, and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.:)

pre48v-8

[noboD]

Pre-48, thanks for the update. Glad your father is still building.

[flatheadpete]

Damn, that orange coupe is bad ass. Kinda fast,too if I remember correctly.

[Jeem]

Damn, that orange coupe is bad ass. Kinda fast,too if I remember correctly.

Yeah, kinda. HAahahaaa
I love the Fat Jack Robinson. I wanna be a Fat Jack when I grow up.

He always builds the baddest, nastiest stuff.
John's '37 pu is sweet too...

[Chili Phil]

I would imagine the '48 98 Olds will be a nice piece when it gets done. Bobby has good taste and I really believe ol' Snips (Conklin) will be smiling from wherever it is we go when we go.

[willysguy]

Thanks for the update pre48, your Dads stuff was and still is a true inspiration. Low fast and mean!

[paco]

Thanks pre48V-8 for the update.....

Your pops has inspired my car building since I saw that 46 cpe. in a mag WAY BACK in the day (when I was young - still) so much so that recently I purchased a 46 cpe. myself. It's taken a while but.... finally.

His rides were unmistakable & it looks as if you brother might have caught some of what you dad has......a good eye for design & execution.

Thanks again for all the info & best to your dad.

Paco

[MTP]

Fat Jack's Coupe is still my all-time favorite "rod". It's influence certainly shows in my beater. Here is a pic of my ride from the HAMB drags a few years ago… I would love to see some pics of Jack's coupe if anyone has any. I had a copy of the Fat Attack issue w/ jack's '46 coupebut made the mistake of loaning it to KCTA Chris about 15 years ago and haven't seen it since.. Its good to know Jack's still around.

http://www.mtpturbo.com/hambplym2.jpg

[Jeem]

......

[Jeem]

Brought this back from the dead, but had to let you guys hear about one of the, oh so many, humiliating experiences in my life....

Last weekend at the Roadster Show I finally introduce myself to Fat Jack Robinson, and I say, "It's so cool to finally meet you, John" JOHN?! SunnuvaBITCH!!

He's like, "nice to meet you too, but my name's Jack".

....oh well.

[hotroddon]

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn203/hotroddon/untitled.jpg

[COOTER]

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:V6whHk45bWQJ::www.jlh-design.com/wp-

[Dan Hay]

I was about to say that this was quite the "threadsurection".. but that story was well worth it Jeem.. lol

[Olddog]

There's a shot of Fat Jack's coupe on this website. #39 of the top 100 Hot Rods. http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0801_top_100_hot_rods/1969_chevy_camaro.html

[rmc-goodguy]

Hi PRE48V-8

Is it you Johnny?

I just bought a car from England, a `57 Del Rio Station Wagon biult by Johnny Rotten. A fabilous drive! I just want to know some of the history of the car. Where is the car from? Are there any pics of the car before restoring? Perhaps you are interested, what`s going on with the Station?

Can anyone help? Can`t fin an email adress of Fat Jack Robinson or Johnny Rotten!
Thank you!

Peter -Germany-
pg@gsra.de

[PRE48V-8]

rmc-goodguy. pre48v-8 here. I'm John Robinson's younger brother. If you looking for information regarding the history of the 1957 Ford two door Ranch wagon w/Del Rio trim built by and formerly owned by my older brother, I can give you a general overview. I located the car sometime around the late summer/early fall of 1997 as I recall at the Pomona swap meet in Pomona, California USA and told John about it. I forwarded the phone number & price information about the car to him, he called the owner adn met with him in South Central Los Angeles where it was located. They struck a deal (I beleive John paid about $2,000.00 dollars for it at the time, according to him), we picked it up and I followed him home. He'd had one of these station wagons, with no motor or transmission that our dad bought out of San Diego for him in the mid-1980's but later sold (not enough time/money for projects). The inspiration initially came from an old Thom Taylor "what if" or "dare to be different" type of illustration excersize published in a magazine or rod run flyer sometime in the early-mid 1980's (as I recall). John planned on making a "driver" out of the wagon, dumping it on the ground and changing the wheel/tire combo. to some tight-fitting American Racing 5-spoke mags of some sort. But alas, on its initial journey to our dad's home/shop about an hour long drive from John's home base, the radiator didn't work properly and the engine began overheating. Needless to say, the wagon ended up staying at our fathers place as my brother realized the wagon couldn't meet the reliability standards of a daily "driver" to go back and forth to work. So began an approximately 18 month long frame off modification, refurbishment and rebuild project leading to the vehicle that you now own. Body & sheet metal were stripped to bare metal, body work performed, paint applied, color sanded & rubbed out. New glass, plating and polishing off all trim and accessories. Frame sandblasted & powdercoated along with all front and rear suspension components. Rear leaf spring mounts, rear end housing and frame modified to lower rear stance as well as the front suspension, with A-arms narrowed and spindles changed with disc brakes attached. Re-built 312 Y-block Ford (heads, cam & machine work by Clay Smith Cams, assembled by John), custom built headers and exhaust system, along with engine accessory mounting brackets made to accept a/c compressor (also fabricated by John). All mechanical underpinnings (wheel bearings, brake system parts, suspension bushings, etc.) all refurbished or replaced. All new electrical wiring system and a/c-heating system installed by John as well along with all custom stainless steel tube plumbing for the fuel system, brake system and a/c-heater system lines. Interior was done by our associate Lars Rolund of High End Products custom motorcycle seats in Santa Ana, CA. Paint was applied by Butch Lynch, formerly of Fat Jacks Real Hot Rods & Parts in Wildomar, CA, who now paints on his own in Tememcula, CA. All other work (except re-building transmission & cutting/installing new glass), including fabrication, modification and assembly was completed by my brother, John Robinson (aka, "Johnny Rotten" of Johnny Rotten Cars, Long Beach, CA) in his garage and/or our fathers place. He and I went on the first long haul with his '57 Ford Ranch wagon to the Goodguys West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, CA in 1999 (where consequently, I met my future wife and in-laws and took marriage vows two years later). The only hitch we experienced was a stock Y-block harmonic balancer whose rubber vibration dampner was beginning to deteriorate, quickly fixed with some duct tape to make it back home. From that point on, John refined the wagon (adding an a/c system, working out bugs with the fuel system, building a set of engine headers to replace constantly cracking stock cast iron exhaust manifolds, etc.), drove it to excess, had it photographed by The Rodder's Journal (later featured together with his current "driver", a 1937 Ford 1/2-ton pickup) and sold to a buyer from the U.K. in mid-2004 after concluding that if he didn't sell it to someone who'd treat it better, he'd run it into the ground the way he "stomped" on it (see "driving habits"). As you are probably aware, it sets very low w/o the aid of air bag suspension components (see, "monkey motion") and you've got to be paying attention when operating it out on the open road and surface streets (John caught the front edge of the passenger side exhaust muffler at one point, crushing the forward face of that muff which required replacing both muffs with the Magna Flows it probably still has today. I've got the other good muff from the previous pair on my Ford Ranger p/u daily beater...). I suspect you or one of the previous U.K. owners (we heard the guy who bought it and shipped it to the U.K. had sold it to another U.K. owner) might have raised the wagon a little bit to get out of the "f#$%-up zone" suspension-wise. Well, hopefully you are enjoying the wagon this summer and it has proved to be fun and reliable thus far. If you are looking for anymore information (specific questions) just send a message to me and I'll answer it myself or ask my brother John if need be. As for photographs of what it looked like before and during construction/assembly, John and I both have a few images laying around. Again, send me a message and I'd be happy to discuss the details of making arrangements to provide access to these images for you if interested. FYI, John and I don't go on the Jalopy Journal too often, though my father in law, Mike Sauer, does (Mike recently alerted my that someone in Germany now owned the '57 Ford 2-door Ranch wagon my brother John built and was looking for background information/history/details). Hope this post was helpfull, good luck, and enjoy your new wagon this summer!:)

[1950Effie]

Didn't Lil John pass away recently? I thought I had read that some where. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Good I hope so! Remember the Black T center door he had back in the 70's?

[mickeyc]

I think I read recently that John Buttera passed away? If so sorry to hear it.

[PRE48V-8]

rmc-goodguy, FYI, see my post 9-6-09 re: your post on "Whatever happened to Fat Jack Robinson?". Post is #49, & should answer most of your questions about your '57 Ford 2-dr. Ranch wagon that my brother John built and used to own. You can contact me and leave a "quick reply" message if you like. Just put most information about the wagon on the H.A.M.B. for posterity and accuracy. Regards, pre48v-8

[pasadenahotrod]

There was a Fat Jack that sold a real nice 32 3W coupe to a guy here in the Houston area. When they went out west to pick it up he insisted on roaring around the parking lot and doing donuts to "show 'em what it could do" before loading it into the trailer for the trip home. Duly impressed (?) they loaded the car and headed for home. Somewhere down the road when they stopped to eat and went into the cafe a few minutes passed and somebody busted in and hollered that whoever owned that trailer outside should do something because it was smoking! Of course it was the 32 on fire, when they opened the trailer door ROAR! Got it put out pretty quickly. PROBLEM? Mister big-shot car-builder donut-maker had never mounted the battery and it had been upended in the trunk shorting against the inner brace of the body and heating up the iron considerably which ignited the cardboard which smoked the back glass , headliner, seats and made a generally nasty mess of a fresh built car.
Don't ask what it cost to repair/replace the damaged parts, I don't know.

[PRE48V-8]

pasadenahotrod, that '32 Ford 3-W coupe your speaking of was the one Lil' John Buttera built around 1979 and was featured on a special fold-out cover of Hot Rod Magazine around 1980. It was the independant suspended, Ed Pink prepped 318 c.i. Plymouth V-8 Indy racing motor powered (1 of only about 1/2-dozen built), maroon colored, hi-boy coupe that arguably ushered in the "billet aluminum" street rod movement (though Buttera had used billet aluminum machined parts he had fabricated himself on prior projects of his own and for other clients). "Fat Jack" Robinson and Gary Hall purchased this vehicle as partners around 1982 (it had been repainted black by then, had bugs worked out of the engine and had a stainless steel fabricated grille insert installed in the grille shell to replace the plastic light grate material used initially on the coupe). How do I know this? "Fat Jack" Robinson is my father, and I'm one of his three sons (the middle one, to be exact)
My dad and Gary Hall were partnered in a venture know as Ultra Cars and Components at the time (they made the wheels for the ZZ top '33 Ford 3-W coupe built by Don Thelan of Buffalo Motor Cars, still on the red Eliminator coupe as of yesterday when I saw it at the NHRA museum in Pomona, CA) had Lil' John Buttera involved in the venture. Buttera's tenure with Ultra Cars was only during the blink of an eye, and my dad & Hall proceeded forward together until around 1983, when my dad went on his own and started Fat Jack's, later changing to Fat Jack Enterprises and today known as Fat Jack Real Hot Rods & Parts, Inc.
Back to the coupe, my dad did all of the work and R&D for Ultra Cars, and Gary Hall (a former door to door vacuum cleaner salesman turned Pantera parts & service broker specialist) was the marketing/mouthpiece of the partnership (my dad had formerly built/repaired/modified/restored Pantera's for Hall Pantera, developing an aftermarket product line for them they still market today). They made some paint repairs to Lil' John Buttera's '32 3-W Ford hi-boy coupe, worked out some more bugs (had a heat transfer problem from the exhaust system being direct mounted to the frame which would cause the interior to cook, as my dad found on a trip to the NSRA streed rod nats in Memphis, TN around 1981). The replaced the square front headlights with King Bees, made some detail changes (changed the handmade billet alum. 3 pc. wheels centers to a brushed alum. finish with hex nuts to replace the 3-spoke knock-offs and previously gold painted wheel centers; see Hot Rod cover). They entered the coupe in the Oakland Grand National Roadster show in 1982, and lost the Al Slonaker award to a gaudy model T or model A Ford sedan with lots of chrome and gold plating, engraving, and other typical over the top ISCA show car tricks who probably got the award because they were commited to doing a few more shows on ISCA's western swing that winter. I can attest that the 318 Plymouth V-8 Indy motor (it originally was fuel injected for competition, using "Gurney-Weslake"-style aluminum heads that Buttera made manifold adapters for to accept 4-Weber carbs) could be "arced up" while my dad was driving it and exhibit and impressive display of horsepower rather quickly. In fact, I recall riding with my siblings in another car behind the coupe, driving home from an Early Times mid-winter rod run in San Diego, rolling through the downtown area watching my dad stand on the gas in the coupe and rolling triple 360's across 3 lanes of traffic on a sunday afternoon, recovering with the coupe pointing straight forward to make the left hand turn in lane number three through the intersection. So, to address you allegations regarding his driving habits pasadenahotrod, yeah, he tends to drive aggressively and I've learned not to drive like that. But, somehow he always ends up right side up despite his throttle stomping disposition. As for the coupe, after he and Hall disolved their partnership, they resolved to sell the Buttera built '32 Ford 3-W hiboy coupe to an associate of Buttera's and Boyd Coddington's named Roy Pickford. As for my dad spinning brodie's with the car to show the new owner's "what it could do", yeah, he might just have executed that vehicle driving maneuver, no doubt. And yes, it did catch on fire due to an electrical problem originating in the trunk area of the coupe, suffering some damage, possibly leading the new owner to repaint the car "Boyd Red". Did "Mister Big Shot Car Builder, Donut Maker" leave the battery just setting loose and unsecured in the trunk? No, because the other "Mister Big Shot Car Builder" who built the coupe, Lil' John Buttera, made a structure to house and mount the vehicile's 12-volt wet cell battery securely in the forward area of the trunk which was still intact when my dad (Fat Jack Robinson) and Gary Hall bought the coupe from Buttera, and was also still in place when Pickford bought the car. Really, pasadenahotrod, do you actually think that between two "Big Shot Car Builders" like Lil' John Buttera or Fat Jack Robinson they'd build and/or modify a such a high end car with a battery setting loose in the trunk merely attached to a set of battery cables connected to the positve and negative cables? Also, I don't recall Pickford calling my dad or Hall back for a partial refund for the car catching on fire en route to its new home in Texas due to negligence on my dad's behalf. After Pickford owned the resale red repainted coupe for a few years, I heard it got sold and was in New Jersey. The last time I saw the coupe (still red) was at an Early Times picnic held in So.Cal. sometime around the late 80's, possibly early 90's (1990-91) and it had New Jersey plates on it. Where it is now I haven't a clue....nor do I care. Nevertheless, the car may seem a bit passe in contrast to the direction of the hot rod/street rod/roots rod/traditional rod automotive hobby today, but in it's day, it was both trendsetting and ground breaking. And even by today's "high end" standards, it arguably has just about as much trick, fabricated mechanical work on it as most Riddler contender's of the current street rod era. So, to recap, my old man didn't make a nasty mess of a fresh built car. The accidental electrical fire made a nasty mess of a car built back in 1979 that was everntually repaired and recolored "Boyd Red". And, he nor anyone else just dropped a battery in the trunk without anything to mount or secure it, either. Hope that sets the record straight. I'll call my old man tomorrow and inform him to add "big shot car builder" to his list of accolades and accomplishments in the area of automotive enthusiasm he still pursues to this day. Maybe he'll have business cards updated with that flattering phrase you coined, pasadenhotrod. Thanks for the inspirational compliment; I'm sure he'll take it to heart, providing a burst of inspiration and confidence making him work harder in order to maintain this high level car builder status you've bestowed upon him. In the meantime pasadenahotrod, I'll also ask "Fat Jack Robinson big shot car builder" about the real cause of the electrical fire in the coupe, just in case I'm misinformed. After all, I was only in my teens when the event occurred and lived in the house in front of the garage the car was stored in and you, being from Texas and hearing about it from what I'm sure is a reputable source, may know more about it than I do....;)

[pasadenahotrod]

Pigford, it's Pigford.

Thanks for the clarification and thorough history of the car too.
Legends need love too.

[frank spittle]

Lil' John passed March '08.

[fab32]

Pre48v8, You'll have to excuse MR. Pasadenahotrod. He's an expert on just about anything you can think of. Check some of his past posts to verify. He's not above using enuendo, rumor and just plain "made up" information to further his "legend in his own mind" persona. I've butted heads with him on occassion and the feeling you've been in "the presence of greatness" wears off almost instantly upon him posting his last responce to whatever your dealing with.
Your dad needs no enhancement when it comes to hot rodding. His place in the strucure is secure with the contributions he has made (and I'm happy to hear continuing to make) so the detractors like Mr.PHR can go pound sand and look for their next misinformed (or needless) contribution to this forum.

Frank

[cactus1]

Pre48v8, You'll have to excuse MR. Pasadenahotrod. He's an expert on just about anything you can think of. Check some of his past posts to verify. He's not above using enuendo, rumor and just plain "made up" information to further his "legend in his own mind" persona. I've butted heads with him on occassion and the feeling you've been in "the presence of greatness" wears off almost instantly upon him posting his last responce to whatever your dealing with.
Your dad needs no enhancement when it comes to hot rodding. His place in the strucure is secure with the contributions he has made (and I'm happy to hear continuing to make) so the detractors like Mr.PHR can go pound sand and look for their next misinformed (or needless) contribution to this forum.

Frank

Awesome!

[thamesvan]

Didn't Lil John pass away recently? I thought I had read that some where. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Good I hope so! Remember the Black T center door he had back in the 70's?
I was thinking that,but because its a ressurected thread I think he was fighting illness at the time,respects

[Fatrod]

Look's like he's good friends with Chip now!

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr290/hemiducekid/JackandChip.jpg

[D-fens]

Didn't Lil John pass away recently? I thought I had read that some where. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Good I hope so! Remember the Black T center door he had back in the 70's?

IIRC Boyd built at least one black center-door (1915?) T sedan. Frank Oddo shot one of them for Street Rodder mag in the early 70's when Boyd was still working at Disneyland.

Lil''s Cad-T sedan was a '26 body and was painted brown metallic. I have the feature issue of HRM somewhere in my collection.

I always liked Fat Jack's cars. It seemed like he was pushing a simpler, less-is-more agenda back when everybody else was chasing the Indy-car suspension billet everything trend. Best of luck to him in whatever he's up to these days.

[PRE48V-8]

Congratulations pasadenahotrod, you passed the test! Yes, you correctly pointed out that the man from Texas who purchased the Buttera-built '32 Ford 3-W hi-boy coupe from my dad (aka, "Fat Jack" Robinson big-time-car-builder) back in the 1980's is NOT Roy PICKFORD but actually Roy PIGFORD. So, giving credit where it is so well deserved, you did have a few facts straight (about 3 to be exact). You pinpointed that the car in question my dad sold was a '32 Ford 3-W coupe, that it was sold to a man in Texas, and that it suffered damage from an electrical fire while being transported in a trailer. Again, Kudos to you, sir! Oh, and "Fat Jack Robinson big-time-car-builder" did mention that he did perform a test drive for the benefit of the new owner, but he's not sure if he made 3 consecutive donuts and straightened the front end out upon completion and smoked the rear tires for 100 yards or pulled both front wheels off the ground at the same time (memories are fleeting after 25 years).

As for the real story as it happened according to FJRBTCB (Fat Jack Robinson big-time-car-builder) he explained that the new owners stopped to stay at a roadside motel overnight on their journey home to transport the coupe Texas and awoke the next morning, looked inside the trailer prior to departing and noticed the electrical fire damage at that time, not while eating in a cafe with smoke billowing out of the trailer. Apparently, the electrical fire started and ended inside the trailer unbeknownst to the new owner sometime during the night while asleep in the motel room. The origin of the fire was suspected to have something to do with the secured battery in the trunk, though F.J. added that the true reason for it is unknown to him. So there you have it. FJ sells car to PIGFORD, car catches fire and soon goes out in trailer while new owner is asleep in motel, new owner discovers fire damage the next morning, and vehicle is transported home to Texas and repainted Boyd red after electrical fire damage repaired...THE END! (Oh, and FHRBTCB said he was paid in full as well, with no reimbursement requested by the new owner due to the fire damage allegedly caused by donuts executed by an over zealous big-time-car-builder...or was it "big-shot-car-builder"?...would you be so kind as to refresh my memory, pasadenahotrod?).;)

[PRE48V-8]

fab32, I appreciate you take on this particular issue and your opinion on pasadenahotrod. However, my only wish is to inform and attempt to set the record straight when possible, as was the case in this instance, and the reason for my lengthy responses (in constrast to most HAMB'ers). Besides, I feel it can be entertaining to read and attempt to absorb some of the responses and commentary on this automotive enthusiast on-line forum, whether right or wrong, well meaning or demeaning, overlly opinionated or factually truthful as represented by each individual in this corner of cyber space. So, we're all entitled to our own opinions, but you know what people say about that.....Thanks for the compliment on F.J., well stated and accurate as far as his car building style.....PRE48V-8

[gc427]

One of my favorite cars of all time!

I had a couple of Fat Jack 46 t-shirts that I wore out back in high school.

I remember see that car up close and personal and it was amazing. :cool:

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/gc427/fatjack.jpg

[Sutton]

Yeah, That car is the reason why I loved 46-48 Ford Coupes so much. Being 8 or 9 at the time, and reading the Hot Rod articles really made an impression.

I also remember the black 40' Sedan (Moreland?) he built that was badass!

Fat Jack, Lil John, Garlits, Bernstein.....Those were my heros growing up........


One of my favorite cars of all time!

I had a couple of Fat Jack 46 t-shirts that I wore out back in high school.

I remember see that car up close and personal and it was amazing. :cool:

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/gc427/fatjack.jpg

[gc427]

Yeah, That car is the reason why I loved 46-48 Ford Coupes so much. Being 8 or 9 at the time, and reading the Hot Rod articles really made an impression.

I also remember the black 40' Sedan (Moreland?) he built that was badass!

Fat Jack, Lil John, Garlits, Bernstein.....Those were my heros growing up........

Jerry Moreland had some very cool cars back then. The 1940 Sedan was one of the cleanest and coolest rides of its time!

[MTP]

This may have shown up elsewhere but I just stumbled onto it..some decent footage of Fat jack's coupe in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y79WD_rd88

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsb62DEeU9I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZyioNpUBwg</EMBED>

[need louvers ?]

IIRC Boyd built at least one black center-door (1915?) T sedan. Frank Oddo shot one of them for Street Rodder mag in the early 70's when Boyd was still working at Disneyland.

Lil''s Cad-T sedan was a '26 body and was painted brown metallic. I have the feature issue of HRM somewhere in my collection.

I always liked Fat Jack's cars. It seemed like he was pushing a simpler, less-is-more agenda back when everybody else was chasing the Indy-car suspension billet everything trend. Best of luck to him in whatever he's up to these days.
It's of little consequences, and a bit O/T to this thread, But Boyd Coddington's "T" that was featured at Disneyland was a '27 two door. It was I believe Nov. 1976 Street Rodder. Coddington did build a couple of centerdoor "T" sedans prior to that in the earlier seventies, and at least one was featured in Street Rodder in about '74 or '75. If memory serves correct, Tom Mcmullin shot the feature and ended up buying the centerdoor soon after. Like I said, a bit off topic, but might as well set the record straight.

[muddman355]

hi looking to visit fat jacks shop if possible inapril/early may? is his shop still in wildomar? or lake elsinore? just trying to do some research before i come over from oz

thanks

[MoFoMOD]

yes it is and he is still building bad ass cars out there.

[silent rick]

whatever happened to fat hack?

[madmike3434]

I can remember the buttera built cars especially the 26 sedan and that 32 with the ball milled billet firewall. I actually used that idea in 96 when redoing my 35 chevy. Was a great way to cover up a whole lot of 10/32 holes all around the perimeter.

Hal Pantera Presents Fat Jack Ultra cars and components, greatest 2 page center spread advert ever in Rod action magazine in 1984 I believe. It featured a 32 chassis all state of the art, belly pan louvered, small block ford motor with weber injunction, all done with aeroquip fittings. The pully system was all billet and COG BELT drive, totally wild for the day and never duplicated by anyone else ?

Back in 1996 when i was just starting to redo my chev, i spotted a colour advert, one column long in street rodder i think , from FAT JACK in wildomar calif. I immediately telephoned the shop , spoke to a distant relative ? named Butch Lynch and ordered an air con alt bracket in aluminum that was milled from a sheet of aluminum, a total work of art. They were doing fantastic oval air cleaners with K&N air filters. I also ordered the alt pully, the water pump pully and the balencer pully, which i never got, dispite waiting 4 months. I got all the rest of the parts. His designs were way ahead of everybody else.
mike lynch....Canada

[Atwater Mike]

Ask Fat Jack about the Oil of Wintergreen the guy with the Altered 96" Roadster P/U gave him for the slicks on the '48 Coupe...(and what Al's reaction to it was after all that bite!) Baylands, '84? Prior to the McPherson Strut front suspension...

[BetterClassics47]

So I just joined H.A.M.B. after buying a classic 1947 Ford DeLuxe 2 door sedan reportedly made by Fat Jack. It's dark green with a light beige leather/fabric interior with purple accents on the (350 Chevy) valve covers, air cleaner and generator bracket. Seems the original purchaser got it when Jack was in Wildomar, CA. Anyone (Pre48-V8?) able to verify. I'd love to drive the car by his shop and get it verified and to learn some of the "skinny" on what went into it.

[Del Swanson]

Fat Jack is the reason I dig '46 to '48 fords!

[mkilger]

hey John, iam glad to call your dad ( Fat Jack) my friend and Boyd was always good to me too. lots of good times at occa in the 80's ha

[Flat-N-Low]

I have seen quite a few of Jack's cars up close, and they are amazing. Very, very nice attention to detail. I always liked the way he did the hard lines in the engine compartment, and his use of brush-finished and painted components instead of chrome. I always took quite a few mental notes, and am proud to say that I have used many of his ideas on my own stuff.

He always used to have the coolest early '60s Country Squire wagons in his booth at all the shows.

[Jeem]

.....I always took quite a few mental notes, and am proud to say that I have used many of his ideas on my own stuff.

He always used to have the coolest early '60s Country Squire wagons in his booth at all the shows.

I think I've said it in the past, but I love your pickup Homie!!

I'd love to see more photos of FJ's '28(?) roadster. The one with the chrome wires and the stretched out 135s. That is the epitome of bitchin'.

[Jeem]

I'd love to see more photos of FJ's '28(?) roadster. The one with the chrome wires and the stretched out 135s. That is the epitome of bitchin'.

No gotts?!

[Flat-N-Low]

This one?
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190250&highlight=modernbeat

Damn, that car sits perfect.................

[HEMI32]

... I'd love to see more photos of FJ's '28(?) roadster. The one with the chrome wires and the stretched out 135s. That is the epitome of bitchin'.
No gotts?!
This one? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190250 Damn, that car sits perfect.................

Weasel posted this circa 1979 pic of it in his Bay Area Geezers - anyone know these Model A's? (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595529) thread:

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/lyinweasel/sc0311a8e3.jpg

[Jeem]

There we go!
Gracias

[JD Miller]

Ive never met Fat Jack, seen him around here though and see his shop. Think his daughter used to drive a nicely painted chevy mini van. Talked to her at the Round-up gas. Was checking out a Orange 72 chevy truck made into a 4 door setting on a newer chevy DuraMax deisel 4x4 frame. Think that was fat jack putting groceries in it

[DRD57]

So I just joined H.A.M.B. after buying a classic 1947 Ford DeLuxe 2 door sedan reportedly made by Fat Jack. It's dark green with a light beige leather/fabric interior with purple accents on the (350 Chevy) valve covers, air cleaner and generator bracket. Seems the original purchaser got it when Jack was in Wildomar, CA. Anyone (Pre48-V8?) able to verify. I'd love to drive the car by his shop and get it verified and to learn some of the "skinny" on what went into it.

Fat Jack's shop painted that car and did a few other things on it but, they did not build it. It was built and owned by Rick Ray in Glendora, CA

[rickyray]

better classics 47. I recently joined the hamb. saw your post. I am the original owner/builder of the green 47 sedan. I sent you an email message with some contact info if you are interested. wouldnt mind sharing the history of the car. also have some build photos.

[Panneton Bros. Racing]

Pretty sure he passed away?

[Kelly Burns]

Jack did????


Kelly Burns

Sent from my iPhone using TJJ app

[Flat-N-Low]

You sure? With the network here on the HAMB, that would have been big news.

[TV]

Yeah, That car is the reason why I loved 46-48 Ford Coupes so much. Being 8 or 9 at the time, and reading the Hot Rod articles really made an impression.

I also remember the black 40' Sedan (Moreland?) he built that was badass!

Fat Jack, Lil John, Garlits, Bernstein.....Those were my heros growing up........

Sutton, Fat Jack did not build Moreland's 2 door sedan. Tom Vogley built it at his home in Stanton. Tom had just left Street Rodder MAG. He did work for a lot of us in that time frame. Tom has a lot of talent.--TV

[Kelly Burns]

You sure? With the network here on the HAMB, that would have been big news.

That's what I thought too, but would love verification!


Kelly Burns

Sent from my iPhone using TJJ app

[LastMinuteMark]

Pretty sure he passed away?



Fat Jack isnt dead.....dont be starting rumors

[Flat-N-Low]

Sutton, Fat Jack did not build Moreland's 2 door sedan. Tom Vogley built it at his home in Stanton. Tom had just left Street Rodder MAG. He did work for a lot of us in that time frame. Tom has a lot of talent.--TV

I know Bob Bauder had a big role in that car as well.

[hemisteve]

Fat Jack is the reason I dig '46 to '48 fords!

Ditto!!

Steve

[Johnny Hotrod - BC]

His orange 46 was killer! I was watching some Jackson bros videos ,and the crash was on there ,it was a bad wreck! not much left of it!

[bob3757]

Here's a few "after" pictures of Fat Jack's "46. Bob

[Wagonmaster2]

What's Buttera up to lately? Still building bikes?

Lil' John is no longer with us...Think it was Cancer....

[Baron]

Jack's 46 (and Jerry Moorland's 40 sedan ) did it for me. Good to know he is a live and well.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j279/snkbte/Hot%20Rods/FatJacks48Ford.jpg

[Flat-N-Low]

Lil' John is no longer with us...Think it was Cancer....

Yep, brain cancer. Lil' John was the MAN. One of the best innovators and fabricators I have ever seen. His stuff was pure art.

[TV]

I know Bob Bauder had a big role in that car as well.

Fat-N-Low, Ya you are correct, Bauder worked with Tom as well as others, it was a Bitchen car.--TV

[theHIGHLANDER]

whatever happened to fat hack?

Kinda what I was thinkin...

[HEMI32]

His orange 46 was killer! I was watching some Jackson bros videos ,and the crash was on there ,it was a bad wreck! not much left of it!

Here's some YouTube video clips of Fat Jack's '46 @ Baylands (Fremont Drag Strip):

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<object width="640" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YZyioNpUBwg?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YZyioNpUBwg?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

<object width="640" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Y79WD_rd88?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Y79WD_rd88?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

NOTE: Yes ... I do relaize that these are the same clips that I've posted in other H.A.M.B. threads ... and the same clips that MTP posted links to back in post #67 (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5370012#post5370012).

[HEMI32]

whatever happened to fat hack?
Kinda what I was thinkin...

I was wondering that as well ... Fat Hack started this thread on November 3^rd 2003 ... his last HAMB post was on May 20^th 2009 ... and the last time he logged onto the HAMB was on September 29^th 2009 ... so I "did a search" and found this thread: Where is Fat Hack? (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585908) :)

[theHIGHLANDER]

I suppose we all get our fill of anything now n then. I've had gaps in my activity here like many have. I hope he's doin well.

[modernbeat]

Weasel posted this circa 1979 pic of it in his Bay Area Geezers - anyone know these Model A's? (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595529) thread:

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/lyinweasel/sc0311a8e3.jpg


My absolute favorite hot rod.

[alchemy]

My absolute favorite hot rod.

Yes, this is the epitome of Resto Rodding in the 70's. Absolutely nothing on this car could be improved upon. If all resto rods looked this good, I doubt the smoothie-high-tech craze ever would have begun.

[need louvers ?]

Actually, that little "A" was kinda the precuorser to a breif "trend" that was mostly a western thing in the late seventies and early eighties called "blackout". I know Fat Jack was knee deep in that too, but the first car that comes to mind was Del Austin's little full fendered '26 "T". Basically stock bodied early cars slicked just a bit and dropped super low with most everything including usual bright work painted black. Wheels were usually Tru-spokes like above, but that was also when bright polished Halibrand Sprints were starting to become the hot item, and by the end of the couple years of this were most common. Still a look I love!

[modernbeat]

Yes, this is the epitome of Resto Rodding in the 70's. Absolutely nothing on this car could be improved upon. If all resto rods looked this good, I doubt the smoothie-high-tech craze ever would have begun.

I had a whole thread going about that car.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190250

http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv198/aaa-111/hotrod/disco.jpg

[Cyclone Kevin]

Fat Jack is alive and well and visits us often at the Broiler, He comes in with PRE48V-8, his daughter-in-law and their son. On ocassion Johnny Rotten comes in as well. Jack, John and I are members of The Outriders and have have been for something like 25yrs.

When people first met Jack back in the late 70's early 80's he was very brash. He has always been the kinda guy that needs to get to know you. when he feels that you are ok, he'll treat ya like family.

Many times I have seen John, Jack and PRE48V-8 at the LARS, we've talked people, history and many of the cars that many have posted here. One car not mentioned is one of the ones that I remember seeing as a teen. It was a full fendered Black 32 3W. that was "Fat Jack Low", just look at that A-roadster for reference.

[J-HAWKER]

I used to live 4 houses away from Jack and his Family. The last time I talked to his son Johnny, Jack sold the house and moved the buisness to Lake Perris,Ca. Jack and Johnny were both on an episode of Jessie James Monster garage.

[J-HAWKER]

The one car I especially liked was his friends Orange colored Henry-J that had the inscription, 'Basic Transportation', above the rear bumper.

[J-HAWKER]

Hey pre48V-8, This is Frank Zarazua I lived on the corner of Violetta and 221St In H.G. Tino's older Brother. Just got on this site and read about John, i hope he is doing ok. Say hi to your mom and dad