Congrats to Ryan on the good press.....

[cool57]

..received my KOA Stylines mag yesterday, good words about Ryan in it! (but it still has that hokey Rev Jack in it too)

[50mercfan]

got mine yesterday. very good article on the hamb.

[hotrodladycrusr]

Can someone scan the article or paraphrase its content? Who wrote it JohnB, Jim Hibbs, or ?

[50mercfan]

johnb wrote it

[hotrodladycrusr]

Maybe he'll cut and paste when he get a chance for all those that don't receive the publication.

[John B]

I wrote it. Well, I guided it along. The article wouldn't have been possible without input from the following people. - Sam Strube, Dan Barnett ,Mark Moriarty,Rob Fortier and Dan Kahn. Much thanks to all those guys for their insite and willingness to say a good word.

Hibbs wanted a picture of Ryan to go along with the article and I had to school him on that. Better chance of getting a shot of the Loch Ness Monster.

You all know anyone else who deserves the Ambassador Award?
Email me at lowand77@yahoo.com

[Ryan]

I'm still in shock over all that. Really cool. I hope I come across as giving all the credit to the members of the HAMB as you guys are what make all this work.

Can't wait to read it.

[50mercfan]

ryan, you and the hamb come across very well. it's very complimentary.

[hotrodladycrusr]

Congrats to Ryan and the HAMB!

John, can you cut and paste to here so we can all read it?

Viva La HAMB!

[Jim At KOA]

Couldn't have done it without John B. He has done a lot to help with the magazine & the club. We are headed into another great year with KOA and invite everyone to the events. (You do not have to be a member to participate in our events and no additional charge either) Ryan, there are several issues packaged with your name on them. Sooner or later I will get time to get them to the post office.

[John B]

[ QUOTE ]
Congrats to Ryan and the HAMB!

John, can you cut and paste to here so we can all read it?

Viva La HAMB!

[/ QUOTE ]


Between the time I sent it to Nashville and now, my computer crashed and I lost the article I had saved. I'm looking now at a bunch of disks to see if maybe my dumbass was smart enough to back it up. Let's hope so. Let you know later

If all else fails I may scan it and post it someplace on the net so all you people can read it.

[John B]

Too make matters worse. My scanner decided today was a good day for early retirement. Anyone else out there willing to scan and post the article someplace on the web?

[Zeke]

[ QUOTE ]
Hibbs wanted a picture of Ryan to go along with the article and I had to school him on that. Better chance of getting a shot of the Loch Ness Monster.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've got a rare pict of Ryan which I tried to sell to the Enquirer but they said they had more than enough pictures of Bigfoot eating donuts.

Look out HAMB police. You guys had better recharge those intro trazers. Everytime the HAMB gets press a wave a new blood come in. The better the press the more that come hear the gospel.

[John B]

Zeke, be assured anyone who comes to the HAMB from this article has been given fair warning on how to act. If I can find someone to scan and post it for me, you'll see what I mean.

[40StudeDude]

Here ya go, John...
R-

KOA Ambassador Award
Summer 2003
Compiled & written By: John Bailey
It took us awhile but we're finally back on track and finding people who we feel merit the Ambassador Award. This time around we are going to the show me state to meet a gearhead's gearhead. Ryan Cochran is a young man from Kansas City, Mo. who saw a need on the internet and filled the pot hole in the cyber highway. The Hokey A** Message Board, or HAMB as it's referred to by it's users, is a meeting place for thousands of like minded traditional rod and custom fanatics. How can an internet message board be so important to the hobby you ask? To get to the answer let's meet the man, then hear from a few of the people who visit this gearheads haven.
I've always thought the best way to learn about a person is to let them tell you about themselves. So here's the history of Ryan Cochran in his own words.
I grew up around racing which my old man was heavily involved in, and one thing kind of lead to another. I spent some time in my high school years racing open wheeled cars in Europe and then came back to the states and ran a mixed bag of cars. So, I've always been into cars. I think the first real traditional Hot Rod I saw was a '34 3w on the streets in Paris France. At that time, I didn't really know what it was — I just liked it.
I came home and worked at a Harley shop in Norman, OK while I went to school at OU. Everyone at the shop used to rag on me a bit for doing all my bikes in an old style. Then we needed a shop truck. I used the petty cash drawer and bought a '53 F100. Two weeks later, it was chopped, primed, and slammed to the ground. That was it, I was hooked. I sold all my bikes and started looking for a '38 coupe.
I wanted a '38 Ford, because I loved the bull nose and I really admired their early circle track racing heritage. I found one located in Chicago with some zany history and the transformation just took off from there. It's a basic hot rod: Reyher Morrison SBC, 4-spd, 9-inch, etc. The car kind of defines me — I'll never sell it. Met my wife in it, asked her to ^ marry me in it, etc. It's part of the family. I While all of this was going on I had this crazy notion that the internet just might work. I started The Jalopy Journal in 1994 and the HAMB just shortly after that. The board was (And still is) my way of learning about traditional hot rods, the craft, and
the people. It truly is all about spreading the gospel of traditional hot rods and kustoms. -Ryan Cocran – 2003
A few people wanted to tell how the HAMB and the work of Ryan Cochran has influenced their lives and the lifestyle we all love. their letters follow...

Ryan Cochran, although he would deny every bit of it, is responsible for perpetuating the hot rod and custom lifestyle out from behind the magazines, and into the home of thousands of gear heads WORLD WIDE. It is staggering to think of how many friendships have been forged as a direct result of his HAMB Message board, located at jalopy-journal.com. And lest one thinks that the HAMB is about sitting idle behind a computer, BS'ing about the things one wishes he were doing with cars, think again. Ryan has fostered a "get out and do it" atmosphere on the HAMB that has in turn allowed its members the liberty of organizing many great events and gatherings. Examples would be annual "HAMB Chop" events where members gather and chop a younger member's custom. The victim, or should I say, "impressionable youngster" is always someone who otherwise would not have the skill, tools or knowledge to pull off such a overwhelming job. Other examples are the soon-to-be HAMB Drags, where people are gathering from all over to race their hot rods and customs. Also, I think one of the most staggering HAMB gatherings really isn't a formal "organized" gathering at all... you see, at every major event around the WORLD, HAMB members set up impromptu meeting places for its members... it may be two, or twenty-two, but the gatherings do happen at every major event, everywhere.
So, Ryan, THANK YOU for giving us a "garage" to hang out in with our pals from around the world to BS about the things that we love most, upon your death bed you receive total consciousness... so you got that going for you. (inside joke) VIVA LA HAMB!!!. -Sam Strube,Livermore Ca. USA

I appreciate the opportunity to thank Ryan for his work on the HAMB. The HAMB has been an invaluable resource for me, when it comes to working on and learning about traditional rods and customs. Because of Ryan and the HAMB, I've talked to and met some of the most interesting, intelligent and diverse people in this hobby/lifestyle! The HAMB is like a world wide magazine that updates it's information instantly...it's a great place to get ideas and motivation when you need them. Ryan is definitely deserving of some "official" recognition for the energy he has put into the HAMB and the positive effects the HAMB has had on keeping the spirit of traditional rods and customs alive. -Dan Barnett - Texas artist and pin striper

I believe that the hamb has effectively shrunk the world and made guys with like interests like neighbors. I have made some valuable friendships here, some that I am sure will last a life time. It brought together abunch of people who more than likely felt like outcasts at "normal" car events and made the style of hot rod they like mainstream (like it or not). Hats off to Ryan for providing this forum. I have learned a lot of tech, found some rare parts, and met some cool people. -Mark Moriarity, Collector of Roth memorabilia and builder of the Futurian

The modest Midwest graphics guru, like it or not, has created an entity that has been the topic of conversation in practically every national rod-ding periodical—including Custom Redder—and this from someone just trying to develop a simple outlet for like-minded folk to share common interests. -Rob Fortier- Editor Custom Rodder Magazine

For over 50 years magazines and car clubs were the only way hot rod-ders could swap ideas, stories, and parts with fellow gearheads. All that changed with the dawn of the digital age however, when suddenly a kus-tom enthusiast in Norway could email back and forth with a parts vendor or fellow sled fan in the United States. Self-described "digital pimp" Ryan Cochran took things a step further by creating what is known as the Hokey Ass Message Board, or HAMB. Designed as a meeting place for traditional hot rod and custom fans, nearly 3,000 people log onto the HAMB every day to get the scoop on the latest news, tips, gossip, and parts for sale in the world of old school iron. The HAMB is a constantly evolving entity, and is totally free to anyone who wants to join, and the board is supported by Cochran and occasional HAMB member donation drives. I have been a HAMB member for nearly a year now, and I am constantly learning new things about this hobby I love so much. Congratulations Ryan, and thanks for
giving us such a cool place to hang out. -Dan Kahn -Technical Editor .ROD & CUSTOM Magazine
I think these people have put to words the true feelings the people of the HAMB experience everyday. The impact of this message board and the efforts of Ryan Cochran will be felt for a long time. I could have added many more testimonials but it would have took up the this whole issue of Stylelines.
If you decide to check out the HAMB you can follow a link from Ryan's website www.jalopyjournal.com (http://www.jalopyjournal.com) . For you first timers to the HAMB here's a hint. Make an introduction and know the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow. Confused? Make a trip to the HAMB and you'll understand. -John Bailey, Ky. State Director and Keeper of the Ambassador Award.

[sedan_dad]

Damn Ryan,are you famous or something now?
Way to go dude!


..and thanks.

[Spooky]

Man is that cool.
And deserving.
I casually stumblked across this crazy board in late '96/'97 and have been hooked since. I am on it learning constantly and, well, if not for the Creator of it(Geez, am I comparing Ryan to a Supreme Being of sorts???-Don't let it swell yer head ya Okie http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif), I would not have learned so much or have met so many interesting people.
Thamx Ryan.
Spook

[Spooky]

Cripes! I throw out a cut down 'bout Oklahoma and I mispell throughout my whole damned post...Blame it on the Mile High Air(or lack there of ..) I was raised in for so many years.

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Really cool and deserving. It this the reason for the influx of newbies??

...and I thought Ryan yelled, "Send in the clowns!"

[Ryan]

Wow. I got wayyyyyyy more credit than I deserve man. I just put up a web site - it's the members of this place that hold all of the value.

Thanks a lot John and everyone else that wrote in... Really cool man. I'm all warm inside...

I wish I would have known my writings were gonna be published... I would have been a tad more eloquent... Or atleast witty!

[fab32]

Leave the WITTY to everyone else Ryan there are enough jokers on here to fill a clown car. Now if you want to be eloquent go right ahead, thats something your CREW is somewhat lacking. Anyhow, congrats on the recognition, its well deserved.

Frank

[Roothawg]

Nice piece.
To the untrained eye this place looks just like another messageboard....but it is much more. I have mets tons of cool people because of this place. I think the credit is due....CONGRATS

[quickrod]

oh great,now were gonna loose ryan to his own goddamn show on discovery........don't forget us.......buddy............ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifby the way congrats ,you deserve a little recognition...quickrod

[Hot Rod Ron]

Congrats to you Ryan. With out this place I would not be on the internet. One more thing,um uh um uh can I get your autograph.

[roadstar]

It is staggering to think of how many friendships have been forged as a direct result of his HAMB Message board, located at jalopy-journal.com.


That one sentence sums it all up for me.
It was also cool to get a little backround on Ryan and his car.

Ryan and the HAMB "KICK ASS" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Zeke]

John that was a dig at those self appointed HAMB police no worries here about newbies.

Ryan, I think ya did a right proper job of letting your dorkness shine.

[SlowLearner]

Thanks John B. Congrats....and take the credit, Ryan!!
"If you build it, they will come"
You built it! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[krupanut]

[ QUOTE ]
Congrats....and take the credit, Ryan!!
"If you build it, they will come"
You built it! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto

If not for Ryan and the HAMB the Lonestar round up would be just a little gathering of cars from Austin.

[John B]

Roger , thanks for posting the article to the HAMB.

[v8minor]

Ya Ryan thanks , the HAMB makes the world a smaller place.I am sitting here in Belfast talkin to guys from around the world !!!! that would not have happened without the HAMB.

[chromedRAT]

i'd say the young guns article was pretty damned witty! it had people that have never been on the HAMB cracking up. dito on the friends all over the place. it's very touching to know that people thousands of miles away actually took time to try to find a part for my old pontiac after i screwed it up putting bushings in. and all the HAMBers i've met so far, great fuckin people.

[hiboy32]

That is just perfect. It sums up what got us all together and how the big garage on the internet can create a bond, or obsestion.