The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 04-25-2007, 09:27 AM

Â*

It was about this time last year when I got a letter in the mail from Bill. He included photos of the Scorpion Dragster and wanted to know if it would be alright if h...

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Orange54 · 04-25-2007, 09:37 AM

Last year was my first but for sure not the last drags I'll attend.

I didn't talk to him cause he looked pretty focused on making a run, but that image is exactly as I remember him and the car. I studied that ride quite a while. It's a work of art.

Sorry for the loss.

Casey · 04-25-2007, 09:48 AM

good by bill ! boy his face and eyes lit up , when he got in that time machine . sad .

**raven** · 04-25-2007, 10:06 AM

Oh hell no.
That can't be.
r

Richard D · 04-25-2007, 10:17 AM

I really liked that car, I enjoyed seeing it at the Roundup. I wish I could have met and talked to Bill...

junk runner jr · 04-25-2007, 10:25 AM

I never met the man but I can tell from the picture what kind of guy he was...

I think it is only fitting that the photo become a permanent part of the HAMB as a memorial to our fellow "Car Guy" Bill.

Thanks for allowing all of us to share in your passion, even it was only for a short time.

**Jeff Norwell** · 04-25-2007, 10:25 AM

I sure hope I can smile like that in the future.....I saw that car at the LSR and it made me smile... just like Bill.

RIP

turboroadster · 04-25-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard D

I really liked that car, I enjoyed seeing it at the Roundup. I wish I could have met and talked to Bill...

exactly! sure wish I could have spoken to him and shook his hand. they did an awesome job on that car

MarkX · 04-25-2007, 10:47 AM

Rip.........

hotrodladycrusr · 04-25-2007, 11:05 AM

Yes, we should all be so lucky..........

Very sad day indeed

knuckle · 04-25-2007, 12:51 PM

I can distinctly replay watching him make a pass at the drags in my head, It's the first thing that happened when I saw the photo and read RIP. I remember thinking that I hoped to be doing the same types of things in my later years.

**GARY?** · 04-25-2007, 01:30 PM

I used to think "getting old" was a bad thing. People like Bill are a constant reminder that the things you have a passion for can keep you young at heart at least 'till the end.
Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Greatfull to have seen him make a pass.
again, god-speed Bill

**Kevin Lee** · 04-25-2007, 01:30 PM

I remember his pass at MoKan, and I remember those guys pulling up to the registration tent and asking "Where's tech?". Then as we all slowly made our way around the table slack-jawed and started making circles around the trailer Ryan was able to get out, "You just passed."

I'm going to work a little harder and a little later in the garage tonight.

smittyshotrods · 04-25-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corn boy

I used to think "getting old" was a bad thing. People like Bill are a constant reminder that the things you have a passion for can keep you young at heart at least 'till the end.
Very sorry to hear of his passing.
god-speed Bill

Very sad news to hear. R.I.P. Bill Collins

REJ · 04-25-2007, 02:47 PM

Rest in Peace, and may we all go out doing what we love, like you did.

lindross · 04-25-2007, 03:04 PM

Nice write up. We all got to chat with him a bit last year at the HAMB Drags as they setup right next to us. Beautiful car and a great guy. That ear to ear grin was with him all day while taking the Scorpion down the 1/4 numerous times.

**Mai Ki-Ki** · 04-25-2007, 03:25 PM

R.I.P

That photo is one of the most wonderful I've ever seen, sums up the HAMB drags to me....

VonDad · 04-25-2007, 03:36 PM

When they pulled into the Ramada it was almost instant coverage as we all walked around and drooled.

Then when it fired up at the drags it was almost like church in the sense of respect and awe.

Thanks Mr. Collins. We appreciated your gift to us that day. RIP

One pass I recorded.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...t=ad6cdd90.flv

Rand Man · 04-25-2007, 08:01 PM

I was standing there at the timeslip shack when they handed it to him. You could really tell how much that run meant to him. His spirit lives on in that photo. Yes it's the thrill of the moment, but there's also a bit of that far away look. Re-living past glory or the satisfaction of reaching a goal, who knows. Lots of good vibes.

Wyle E Coyote · 04-25-2007, 08:06 PM

These are all of the shots I had of Bill and the car from that day. They are still compressed and resized, if anyone wants one full size just let me know and I'll email it to you.

Bill left an indelible impression on me with that gleam in his eye and that smile on his face that day. Thanks Bill... RIP.

04-25-2007, 09:27 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,610	RIP: Bill Collins Â* It was about this time last year when I got a letter in the mail from Bill. He included photos of the Scorpion Dragster and wanted to know if it would be alright if h... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

04-25-2007, 09:37 AM	#2
Orange54 Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 805	Re: RIP: Bill Collins Last year was my first but for sure not the last drags I'll attend. I didn't talk to him cause he looked pretty focused on making a run, but that image is exactly as I remember him and the car. I studied that ride quite a while. It's a work of art. Sorry for the loss. __________________ 29 Ford RPU 34 Ford Pickup 53 Chevrolet 3100 68 Roadrunner

04-25-2007, 09:48 AM	#3
Casey Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin & dripping springs Texas Posts: 3,294	Re: RIP: Bill Collins good by bill ! boy his face and eyes lit up , when he got in that time machine . sad . __________________ nope...he is hereby Knighted Crazy Casey...

04-25-2007, 10:06 AM	#4
raven Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kingston, MO Posts: 3,122	Re: RIP: Bill Collins Oh hell no. That can't be. r __________________ Every once in a while, life gets a little more surreal. Some men aren't looking for anything logical, Some men just want to watch the world burn. Reality is indifferent to opinion.

04-25-2007, 10:17 AM	#5
Richard D Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas City, Texas Between Houston & Galveston Posts: 11,798	Re: RIP: Bill Collins I really liked that car, I enjoyed seeing it at the Roundup. I wish I could have met and talked to Bill...

04-25-2007, 10:25 AM	#6
junk runner jr Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lancaster, Oh, US Posts: 461	Re: RIP: Bill Collins I never met the man but I can tell from the picture what kind of guy he was... I think it is only fitting that the photo become a permanent part of the HAMB as a memorial to our fellow "Car Guy" Bill. Thanks for allowing all of us to share in your passion, even it was only for a short time. __________________ A huge THANK YOU to my H.A.M.B. brothers and sisters, you know who you are.

04-25-2007, 10:25 AM	#7
Jeff Norwell Art Editor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Palookaville Posts: 11,742	Re: RIP: Bill Collins I sure hope I can smile like that in the future.....I saw that car at the LSR and it made me smile... just like Bill. RIP __________________ "I like HOT RODS." "Now, go drive your Volvo...safely..." http://www.jeffnorwell.com http://drawnandquarrtered.blogspot.com Last edited by Jeff Norwell; 04-25-2007 at 11:14 AM.

04-25-2007, 10:47 AM	#9
MarkX Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: ...TX Posts: 1,232	Re: RIP: Bill Collins Rip......... __________________ cars cars cars, yes thats all i think about..... oh, and food!

04-25-2007, 11:05 AM	#10
hotrodladycrusr Old School HAMBer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 20,655	Re: RIP: Bill Collins Yes, we should all be so lucky.......... Very sad day indeed __________________ Will trade cookies for old good for nothing flathead heads or hubcaps.

04-25-2007, 12:51 PM	#11
knuckle Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Missery Posts: 104	Re: RIP: Bill Collins I can distinctly replay watching him make a pass at the drags in my head, It's the first thing that happened when I saw the photo and read RIP. I remember thinking that I hoped to be doing the same types of things in my later years. __________________ Panties, not the best thing, but close to it.

04-25-2007, 01:30 PM	#12
GARY? Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,681	Re: RIP: Bill Collins I used to think "getting old" was a bad thing. People like Bill are a constant reminder that the things you have a passion for can keep you young at heart at least 'till the end. Very sorry to hear of his passing. Greatfull to have seen him make a pass. again, god-speed Bill

04-25-2007, 01:30 PM	#13
Kevin Lee Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: KC,MO - The cradle of hot rodding Posts: 7,086	Re: RIP: Bill Collins I remember his pass at MoKan, and I remember those guys pulling up to the registration tent and asking "Where's tech?". Then as we all slowly made our way around the table slack-jawed and started making circles around the trailer Ryan was able to get out, "You just passed." I'm going to work a little harder and a little later in the garage tonight. __________________ – Learning the hard way since '72 –

04-25-2007, 02:47 PM	#15
REJ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: FLA Posts: 1,591	Re: RIP: Bill Collins Rest in Peace, and may we all go out doing what we love, like you did. __________________ If you are driving down the highway at light speed and turn on your headlights, what happens? MOPAR HA/GR on the track!!

04-25-2007, 03:04 PM	#16
lindross Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speedway, Indiana Posts: 1,746	Re: RIP: Bill Collins Nice write up. We all got to chat with him a bit last year at the HAMB Drags as they setup right next to us. Beautiful car and a great guy. That ear to ear grin was with him all day while taking the Scorpion down the 1/4 numerous times. __________________ Bubba's Hot Rod Shop - Linder Technical Services

04-25-2007, 03:25 PM	#17
Mai Ki-Ki Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Collingwood Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,827	Re: RIP: Bill Collins R.I.P That photo is one of the most wonderful I've ever seen, sums up the HAMB drags to me.... __________________ KARDINALS CC. MELBOURNE.

04-25-2007, 03:36 PM	#18
VonDad Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Waynesville, Missouri Posts: 227	Re: RIP: Bill Collins When they pulled into the Ramada it was almost instant coverage as we all walked around and drooled. Then when it fired up at the drags it was almost like church in the sense of respect and awe. Thanks Mr. Collins. We appreciated your gift to us that day. RIP One pass I recorded. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...t=ad6cdd90.flv __________________ I was alright.... I got over it...

04-25-2007, 08:01 PM	#19
Rand Man Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rogers, Arkansas Posts: 2,624	Re: RIP: Bill Collins I was standing there at the timeslip shack when they handed it to him. You could really tell how much that run meant to him. His spirit lives on in that photo. Yes it's the thrill of the moment, but there's also a bit of that far away look. Re-living past glory or the satisfaction of reaching a goal, who knows. Lots of good vibes. __________________ She's wearin' new colors and runnin' pretty good I got four hundred horses tucked under the hood.

04-25-2007, 08:06 PM	#20
Wyle E Coyote Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spring Hill, Fl Posts: 442	Re: RIP: Bill Collins These are all of the shots I had of Bill and the car from that day. They are still compressed and resized, if anyone wants one full size just let me know and I'll email it to you. Bill left an indelible impression on me with that gleam in his eye and that smile on his face that day. Thanks Bill... RIP. Attached Thumbnails __________________ *2 things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, I'm not sure about the universe*

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