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Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Jive-Bomber, Feb 21, 2011.

  1. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

  2. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    I had was first exposed to them in the TRJ article and those four similarly painted Hot rods really struck a nerve with me. The '33-'34 especially since I had just got mine and I have been pining over the early '50's cars that sat kind of high and ran cream wheen as the Sparks and Bonney team did. While I don't have much experience as the most of you with the Tommy Sparks, I can tell you that just those couple pics really got me stoked and it was enough to permanently store them in my memory.

    Rest in Peace to another pioneer of our hobby and sport. You truly paved the way and brought us to where we are today. You will be missed.
     
  3. oldpl8s
    Joined: Apr 11, 2007
    Posts: 1,487

    oldpl8s
    Member

    He was one of the pioneers in the vintage car movie rental business and always a very nice man to be around
     

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  4. Rest in Peace...thanks for your contributions to our hobby/passion
     

  5. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    R.I.P. sir. We seem to be loosing more and more of our sgnificant pioneers every day. Time to get to know these guys and learn they're stories before it's too late.
     
  6. 296ardun
    Joined: Feb 11, 2009
    Posts: 4,673

    296ardun
    Member

    Never met him, but he is well-known as a leader in so many hot rod areas. I have often wondered if he built the first Willys drag coupe (a fenderless car with a blown flathead), think it ran in the mid-50s. His blown flathead ran around 138 (I think) in Tony Nancy's roadster, phenomenal for the time (still is!), and the Sparks & Bonney team predated lots of other famous racing teams.....another one gone, RIP
     
  7. rick finch
    Joined: May 26, 2008
    Posts: 3,504

    rick finch
    Member

    R.I.P. Tommy....:(
     
  8. BrerHair
    Joined: Jan 30, 2007
    Posts: 5,006

    BrerHair
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks for the post and the tribute, Jay. Another trailblazer gone, another link in the chain . . . RIP Mr. Sparks.
     
  9. daddio211
    Joined: Aug 26, 2008
    Posts: 6,012

    daddio211
    Member

    RIP Tommy, prayers from my family to your family at this difficult time.

    Bruce Meyer has a great way with words. Simple yet elegant. And what a great group photo!
     
  10. sodbuster
    Joined: Oct 15, 2001
    Posts: 5,040

    sodbuster
    Member
    from Kansas

    Godspeed to Tommy...........

    Chris Nelson
    Kansas

    Oh yea, is "Steelworks" on the HAMB? It would be great to see some of the pictures from his travels to Tommy's place.
     
  11. Django
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 10,198

    Django
    Member
    from Chicago

    Godspeed Tom.

    I was fortunate to get to meet him on one of my trips to SoCal several years ago. He gave me the full tour. It was amazing, and he and his wife were very welcoming hosts.
     
  12. Lsparky
    Joined: Feb 23, 2011
    Posts: 1

    Lsparky
    Member

    I registered for this site simply to thank every one of you for the kind words.. My name is Lacey, and I am Tommy's granddaughter. My family and I, especially my grandmother Laura, cannot believe how well loved he was by so many. It makes this time such easier on all of us to see this awesome support!! I have a lot of photos I can post of the garage and boy oh boy do I have stories! I can contact David, (founder of the steelworks blog and a close family friend) as well. If it wasn't for my grandpa, I wouldn't love cars, and for that I am forever grateful! I know he's up there racing with Tony Nancy right now!

    So seriously, again, thank you.

    Lacey
     
  13. low-n-slo54
    Joined: Jul 25, 2009
    Posts: 1,920

    low-n-slo54
    Member

    Lacey,

    So sorry for your loss. We thank you're Grandfather so much for his contributions to our lives.
     
  14. Lacey- You're grandfather was a great man and a huge inspiration to alot of people. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Our prayers are with you and your family.

    When you feel you're ready, I'm sure alot of us here (I for one) would love to see your photos and hear some of those stories.

    RIP Tommy
     
  15. 38zephyr
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 622

    38zephyr
    Member

    Mr. Sparks was not only my hero , he was the most down to earth nice person you could ever meet . He was so humble and low key , you would almost forget how special he was . Easy going , but so intelligent and with so much history . His is a generation of pioneers that will never be duplicated , only sadly missed .
     
  16. 3pointsmach
    Joined: Mar 3, 2011
    Posts: 1

    3pointsmach
    Member

    Through my friends Kate and Skip of Tweedy Lake, I had the great privilege to meet Laura and Tom, two months ago in their North Hollywood home. Never have I met more gracious and wonderful people! I was overwhelmed then, and my head is still spinning, from that visit. The man and his history will be sorely missed--. Godspeed Tom!
     

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