The Jalopy Journal

**Jive-Bomber** · 02-21-2011, 07:55 AM

Bruce Meyer sent me an e-mail last week about the passing of hot rod pioneer Tommy Sparks. If you've even seen the Tony Nancy Roadster, or Sparks & Bonney racing team, you know who he was. A legend. A meticulous West Hollywood engine expert and tune...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

JeffreyJames · 02-21-2011, 08:21 AM

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.

oldpl8s · 02-21-2011, 09:15 AM

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

**oddrodgarage** · 02-21-2011, 09:32 AM

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

**need louvers ?** · 02-21-2011, 10:07 AM

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.

296ardun · 02-21-2011, 10:07 AM

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

rick finch · 02-21-2011, 10:23 AM

R.I.P. Tommy....

BrerHair · 02-21-2011, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the post and the tribute, Jay. Another trailblazer gone, another link in the chain . . . RIP Mr. Sparks.

**daddio211** · 02-21-2011, 04:58 PM

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!

sodbuster · 02-22-2011, 10:43 AM

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.

Django · 02-22-2011, 10:47 AM

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.

Lsparky · 02-23-2011, 09:29 PM

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

low-n-slo54 · 02-23-2011, 10:03 PM

Lacey,

So sorry for your loss. We thank you're Grandfather so much for his contributions to our lives.

fandangler · 02-24-2011, 01:06 PM

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

38zephyr · 02-24-2011, 05:07 PM

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 .

3pointsmach · 03-03-2011, 02:53 PM

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!

02-21-2011, 07:55 AM	#1
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,428	Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks Bruce Meyer sent me an e-mail last week about the passing of hot rod pioneer Tommy Sparks. If you've even seen the Tony Nancy Roadster, or Sparks & Bonney racing team, you know who he was. A legend. A meticulous West Hollywood engine expert and tune... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

02-21-2011, 08:21 AM	#2
JeffreyJames Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 16,015	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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. __________________ I PLAY WITH TIGERS WWW.SUGARCITYSPEEDSHOP.COM CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM IMAGES

02-21-2011, 09:15 AM	#3
oldpl8s Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 559	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks He was one of the pioneers in the vintage car movie rental business and always a very nice man to be around Attached Thumbnails

02-21-2011, 09:32 AM	#4
oddrodgarage Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mooresville, North Carolina Posts: 5,525	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks Rest in Peace...thanks for your contributions to our hobby/passion __________________ Custom screenprinted tees: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=614584 www.facebook.com/rodtees

02-21-2011, 10:07 AM	#5
need louvers ? Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: phoenix, az Posts: 8,890	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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. __________________ HOT ROD CENTRAL LOUVER CO. 602.881.0175 louverguyquinn@yahoo.com

02-21-2011, 10:07 AM	#6
296ardun Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: alabama Posts: 1,620	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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 __________________ Caution: We are the people your parents warned you about

02-21-2011, 10:23 AM	#7
rick finch Old School HAMBer Join Date: May 2008 Location: rocklin,ca. Posts: 3,066	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks R.I.P. Tommy.... __________________ I'm not old.....I've just been young longer than most people. Goldchainers CC....Rocklin, California Chapter.

02-21-2011, 04:36 PM	#8
BrerHair Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,689	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks Thanks for the post and the tribute, Jay. Another trailblazer gone, another link in the chain . . . RIP Mr. Sparks. __________________ Small wheel turn by the fire and rod Big wheel turn by the grace of God '51 Chevy build thread

02-21-2011, 04:58 PM	#9
daddio211 Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: St. George, Utah Posts: 3,638	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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! __________________ My '27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=734383

02-22-2011, 10:43 AM	#10
sodbuster Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 4,825	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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. __________________ A Devil with A Hammer & Hell with A Torch

02-22-2011, 10:47 AM	#11
Django Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Forest Park IL Posts: 10,163	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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. __________________ Hot Rod Hucksters . Hunnert Car Heads Up June 7-8, 2013 . Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle and Victory Speed Equipment . Django Studios

02-23-2011, 09:29 PM	#12
Lsparky FNG Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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

02-23-2011, 10:03 PM	#13
low-n-slo54 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Windsor Locks, CT Posts: 1,761	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks Lacey, So sorry for your loss. We thank you're Grandfather so much for his contributions to our lives. __________________ Goldchainers C.C./Munsterville Chapter Breathe if you hate radials.

02-24-2011, 01:06 PM	#14
fandangler Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Denver, Westminster actually Posts: 111	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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 __________________ I'm trying to control an outbreak, and you're driving the monkey to the airport!

02-24-2011, 05:07 PM	#15
38zephyr Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern Ca. Posts: 690	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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 . __________________ Who the HELL is interrupting my KUNG FU ?

03-03-2011, 02:53 PM	#16
3pointsmach FNG Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Threepoints, CA. Posts: 1	Re: Rest in Peace Tommy Sparks 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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